FAREWELL TO ARMS (DVD) MONO/ENG DVD

A Farewell to Arms
This first film version of Ernest Hemingway's novel A Farewell to Arms stars Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes. Cooper plays Lt. Frederick Henry, a World War I officer who falls in love with English Red Cross nurse Catherine Barkley (Hayes)-after first mistaking her for a woman of ill repute. Henry's friend, Major Rinaldi, is envious of the romance, and pulls strings to have Catherine transferred to Milan. When Henry is wounded in battle, he ends up in the very hospital where Catherine works. They resume the affair, which reaches an ecstatic peak just before Henry is returned to the front. The now-pregnant Catherine remains in Switzerland, sending letters by the bushelfull to Henry. But the jealous Rinaldi sees to it that Henry never receives those letters, leading Catherine to conclude sorrowfully that Henry has forgotten her. As the Armistice approaches, Henry makes his way to Switzerland, hoping to find Catherine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Gary Cooper as Lt. Frederick Henry Helen Hayes as Catherine Barkley Adolphe Menjou as Maj. Rinaldi Mary Philips as Helen Ferguson Jack LaRue as The Priest Henry Armetta as Bonello George Humbert as Piani Fred Malatesta as Manera Mary Forbes as Miss Van Campen Tom Ricketts as Count Greffi Gilbert Emery as British Major

Crew Roland Anderson - Art Director Hans Dreier - Art Director Edward A. Blatt - Associate Producer Charles Griffin - Consultant/advisor Travis Banton - Costume Designer Arthur Jacobson - First Assistant Director Frank Borzage - Director Otho Lovering - Editor W. Franke Harling - Composer (Music Score) Bernhard Kaun - Composer (Music Score) John Leipold - Composer (Music Score) Ralph Rainger - Composer (Music Score) John M. Leopold - Composer (Music Score) Paul Marquardt - Composer (Music Score) Herman Hand - Composer (Music Score) Charles B. Lang - Cinematographer Harold Lewis - Sound/Sound Designer Benjamin Glazer - Screenwriter Oliver H.P. Garrett - Screenwriter Ernest Hemingway - Book Author

A Farewell to Arms
Although the ending was altered, this A Farewell to Arms is one of the best cinematic adaptations of an Ernest Hemingway work. True, the film doesn't quite capture the unique Hemingway voice and style, but it does have some of his flavor; more importantly, it translates the story into "Hollywood" terms that make it more cinematically appealing. If the film lacks the depth of the novel, it still packs an emotional wallop. Certainly a great deal of the credit must go to stars Helen Hayes and Gary Cooper, who make an odd physical pair but who have a genuine, affecting chemistry. Hayes is radiant in one of her finest screen performances, playing suffering, nobility, and heartbreak in an outsized style that still rings true. Cooper utilizes his considerable charm to good effect, helped by his truly impressive good looks; while he's not as comfortable as Hayes with some of the heightened emotion, he still pulls it off. Director Frank Borzage skillfully blends the omance with the war-themed story, creating both impressive battle vistas and intimate, softly lit duets -- all with the inestimable help of cinematographer Charles B. Lang. Modern audiences will undoubtedly find portions of the film (and its style) dated and over the top, but those willing to meet it on its own terms will be rewarded. ~ Craig Butler, All Movie Guide
 

Charles B. Lang: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Cinematography (winner) Hans Dreier: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Art Direction (nominated) Harold Lewis: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Sound (nominated) Roland Anderson: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Art Direction (nominated)

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie, Best Picture (nominated) National Board of Review, Best Picture (nominated)

General Specifications: Language Options: English Subtitle Options: Sound Processing: DD1: Dolby Digital Mono Additional Features: none specified DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1: Pre-1954 Standard MPAA Rating: NR DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 89 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. Main Title [5:37] 2. Major Rinaldi [2:00] 3. The Arch [5:00] 4. Catherine and Frederick [9:01] 5. Friendly Advice [5:01] 6. Saint Anthony [2:29] 7. Direct Hit [4:52] 8. The Return [2:59] 9. The Wedding Night [10:21] 10. Back to War [9:25] 11. Return to Sender [4:44] 12. Casualties of War [6:12] 13. The Truth About Catherine [9:52] 14. The Waiting Room [3:52] 15. A Brave Girl [6:44] 16. End Credits [:42]