An Excellent, Much Copied Film

Rating: 9/10 (2 April 2003)

Parts POW escape movie, parts anti-war movie, parts buddy movie, parts social commentary, "The Grand Illusion" is a timeless gem. Released in 1937 the war in question is World War I, and the prisoners are French, their captors German. There are four main characters; three prisoners and the commandant of their camp. One prisoner and the commandant are aristocracy from the old, nineteenth century Europe, the Europe being destroyed around them by The Great War. Theirs is the grand illusion of the title. One of the remaining two is a member of the proletariat, the other a member of the newly rich bourgeoisie. There are numerous famous scenes, copied in many movies in the years to come. There is also great acting, directing, and cinematography. "Grand Illusion" is a classic, so don't let the 30s filming technology and the subtitles scare you off. You won't be disappointed.