THE SOUTHERNER

THE SOUTHERNER - 1945

RATED - NR but probably G/PG

RATINGS - 10 Amazon (4.5/5), 2,158 Netflix (3.2/5), 552 IMDB (7.6/10), Leonard Maltin (4/4).

STARRING - Zachary Scott, Betty Field. Directed by Jean Renoir.

AWARDS - 3 Academy Award nominations including BEST DIRECTOR, BEST SOUND and BEST MUSICAL SCORE. Winner of BEST FILM at the 1945 Venice Film Festival.

THEMES - Perseverance, the American dream, justice, relationships.

STORY - Why would someone in 2008 watch a B & W film made in 1945 about a 1930's family who are dirt poor trying start their own farm? First, this is a Jean Renoir film and many think he is the best director ever, certainly in the top five. Second, this is a film most of us can identify with at some level. It's about wanting a piece of the American dream, about starting your own business (farm) and creating something based on your abilities and desires. It's about trying to beat the odds, the odds like nature, no money, opponents and limited resources to make it. It's about having faith in yourself and in a higher power that gives purpose and meaning to what you do. Is there justice in this world for those who work hard and live a moral and upright life? You may or may not think so after watching this film. It's another reminder of what makes this country so great are the opportunities that it gives; though not are all equal, they are there for those with the courage and perseverance to follow a dream. Though the film quality is a little poor and Beulah Bondi as Granny Tucker is a weak link in the movie, it is definitely worth watching this little slice of Americana. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 08/09/2008.

LINKS - Amazon, IMDB, TCM

GRAND ILLUSION

GRAND ILLUSION - 1938

RATED - NR but probably PG for mild language.

RATINGS - 57 Amazon (4.5/5), 61,879 Netflix (4.0/5), 9,268 IMDB (8.1/10).

STARRING - Jean Renoir, Director. Considered to be one of top five directors of all time.

AWARDS - 1939 Academy Award nominee for BEST PICTURE.

THEMES - Class struggle, war, relationships, sacrifice.

STORY - The film itself is an amazing story but also the story of how the current print came to be. The Nazis stole the original print from the French as one of their first priorities at the beginning of WWII. It was considered 'Cinematographic Enemy Number One'. All showings later were from copies and pieced together with not so great quality. Decades later the original was found and is now the print used by Criterion, an almost perfect version with sharpness and clarity as if made yesterday. This is the prototype prison escape movie copied by many later. Not only a thrilling escape story but also the story of the end of the elite class in Europe. WWI was considered by many to be a 'gentleman's war' where honor and valor were still important and respected in your enemy. Remember the movie 'Silent Night' where they stopped the war on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus together and resumed the war the following day. This is about a prison camp conducted by the Germans where it was assumed the French would not try to escape because they had given their word. It is certainly a different kind of war and a different kind of war story. I won't reveal the story but to say that this is a great film on several different levels and although it is B&W with subtitles it is worth watching. If you want more about the actual story, Roger Ebert's review gives a good summary. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 07/26/2008.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT