It seems like this movie didn't go down all that well with the masses, if the IMDB rating is anything to go by. I guess it goes to prove that just because it is an older film it doesn't necessarily make it a good film. Well, okay, there certainly were a lot of older films that have past into the mists of obscurity, and I get a feeling that this one has as well. I only know about it because of the book, and I have to admit that it was one of the greatest war/romance books that I have ever read.
Sure, Hemmingway certainly isn't everybody's favourite person, and I can certainly see where they are coming from, I still feel that his books have an aura of magnificence that just doesn't seem to be replicated these days. I guess the fact that World War I really had an impact upon his writing is a part of it, but also because his stories tend to be based on his experiences. Well, sort of.
Sometimes I wonder whether it is okay to write a story about a relationship with a woman that spurned you but in the story that never happened, and we actually get together. Well, welcome to A Farwell to Arms, though the thing is that with Hemminway you know that things aren't going to end on a light note - this is real life remember. I suspect that this in part is why people didn't think much of the film (as well as the criticism for the lead actress's age). The problem is that this film actually followed the book, and if you know anything about Hemmingway, don't expect a happily ever after.
As for the war scenes, I was surprised that the retreat was so muted, at least coming down from the mountain. From the book I got the impression that the Italian forces were well and truly routed. Mind you, other than the initial retreat (and if you are familiar with the Italian Front you can pretty much see it coming, though the war is being played out in the background) you do get the impression of utter chaos, especially when the Italian army began executing people willy nilly because, well, they had just suffered an ignoble defeat.
Anyway, it does sounds as if I am commenting on the book more than on the film, but that is because I was watching the film in light of the book, which I have to admit I loved. I do felt Rock Hudson did a particularly good job at the lead role, and did capture the nature of the character which Hemmingway created (which was based on him to be honest). Yeah, I loved the book, but the film, yeah, I'd probably recommend going back to the book.
Sure, Hemmingway certainly isn't everybody's favourite person, and I can certainly see where they are coming from, I still feel that his books have an aura of magnificence that just doesn't seem to be replicated these days. I guess the fact that World War I really had an impact upon his writing is a part of it, but also because his stories tend to be based on his experiences. Well, sort of.
Sometimes I wonder whether it is okay to write a story about a relationship with a woman that spurned you but in the story that never happened, and we actually get together. Well, welcome to A Farwell to Arms, though the thing is that with Hemminway you know that things aren't going to end on a light note - this is real life remember. I suspect that this in part is why people didn't think much of the film (as well as the criticism for the lead actress's age). The problem is that this film actually followed the book, and if you know anything about Hemmingway, don't expect a happily ever after.
As for the war scenes, I was surprised that the retreat was so muted, at least coming down from the mountain. From the book I got the impression that the Italian forces were well and truly routed. Mind you, other than the initial retreat (and if you are familiar with the Italian Front you can pretty much see it coming, though the war is being played out in the background) you do get the impression of utter chaos, especially when the Italian army began executing people willy nilly because, well, they had just suffered an ignoble defeat.
Anyway, it does sounds as if I am commenting on the book more than on the film, but that is because I was watching the film in light of the book, which I have to admit I loved. I do felt Rock Hudson did a particularly good job at the lead role, and did capture the nature of the character which Hemmingway created (which was based on him to be honest). Yeah, I loved the book, but the film, yeah, I'd probably recommend going back to the book.