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A Farewell To Arms [1957]
![A Farewell To Arms [1957]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51EJ1RBCZ5L._SL160_.jpg)
Charles Vidor lacks Frank Borzage’s sensual romanticism, but despite some surprisingly clumsy comedy, Ben Hecht’s script is much darker and more mature than you’d expect, with the grim retreat sequences and their aftermath far darker than anything in the Gary Cooper version. That said, the gay subtext to Rinaldi’s friendship is almost completely absent, something that seems all the more noticeable with Rock Hudson playing the object of his affections (but that’s hindsight for you). It’s never particularly moving, but it’s entertaining storytelling and it looks great in its original CinemaScope ratio.
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Lavish and engaging but ultimately unmoving remake
Review date: 2006-02-26 Rating: 6 out of 10
The 1957 version of A Farewell to Arms is a mixture of the best and worst of David O. Selznick. On the plus side is the no expense spared lavishness of the whole production, with great Italian locations, great production design, a good supporting cast (including an excellent Vittorio de Sica, Alberto Sordi and Elaine Stritch) and a cast of thousands. On the debit side, there’s some hokey love scenes and the miscasting of Selznick’s private leading lady Jennifer Jones, lisping her way through an awkward British accent while seemingly impersonating a rather large bunny rabbit that somehow got a job as a nurse.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Oscar Homolka
Jennifer Jones
Elaine Stritch
Rock Hudson
Vittorio De Sica
Creators:
Rock Hudson (Primary Contributor)
Jennifer Jones (Primary Contributor)
Director(s):
Recording label: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
EAN: 5039036020237
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-05-09
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 152 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1957
Language: English (Original Language)