Farewell to Arms [Blu-ray]

For years this film was shown in badly duped shortened prints that did nothing to show the beauty of its Academy Award winning cinematography by Charles Lang. Kino's Blu-ray offering showcases Lang's still outstanding work in what hast to be one of director Frank Borzage's finest films. Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes are both excellent as is Adolphe Menjou. The only thing that dates this film is the music score. When the film was re-issued the newly formed censorship caused the film to be cut from 89 minutes down to 78 minutes. Many scenes had a only few seconds cut out of them while others were clipped more severely. Warner Bros. bought the rights to the Ernest Hemingway material from Paramount and re-issued the film with new main and end titles in the censored version around 1950. That edition appeared as a Laser Disc and was the first decent picture quality available for home use. Later David O. Selznick acquired the rights from WB in order to remake the film. The uncut version of the film was included in that deal. Finally Image released the full version on DVD with a somewhat weak sound track. Now with Kino's Blu-ray and DVD release the film can be seen the way it should be. While there is some print damage the overall image captures the beauty of Lang's cinematography, which is exceptional. If you enjoy classic early sound films then this is one you will want to own.

I liked the movie. It is a classical that is enjoyable to watch. And, I would recommend it to anyone. No problems.

A Frank Borzage production that is based on a novel by Ernest Hemingway, this is a story of the love between ambulance driver Lieutenant Henry (Gary Cooper) and Nurse Catherine Barkley (Helen Hayes) during World War I. the story is made complex by the interference of Major Rinaldi (Adolphe Menjou.)

"Disaster as well as victory is written for every nation on the record of the World War, but high on the rolls of glory two names are inscribed -- --
The Marne and the Piave."

This is a real tearjerker in black and white. However, it is well made and the story keeps movie. We can even feel sorry for the misguided friendship of Major Rinaldi, which contributed greatly to the disaster in the story.

I was really struck by seeing the young Helen Hayes as the first time I saw her was on Airport (1970.)

The Fountainhead ~ Gary Cooper