This is aided by a soundtrack prompted by the subconscious of Halder himself. He hears music on every occasion. It is used as a comic device and as a tool for adding emotional or poignant meaning. Maurice s decline and fall under Nazi oppression stands indirect contrast to Halder s rise. The irony of the friendship is drawn out through Halder s love of the Jews and Maurice s contempt for his kinsmen.
Dance is superb.
His human portrayal of the subject matter endears you to his character despite the obvious hell he is helping to create. It has been said that it is impossible to produce a comedy or humorous production whose subject matter is war. Indeed, with the recent praise heaped upon Roberto Benigni and his wartime movie Life is Beautiful , the debate has been reawakened. I contend that it is possible. It is all too often that periods in history such as the Second World War are looked upon as a broad period in time encompassing fear, bloodshed and loss.