[vivia12]

Hello,
They are all French films,I believe 400 blows mean quatre cent cours,
I just want to know what's anyone's perception of Jean Renoir's Film
Le Grande Illusion and Francois Truffaut 400 Blows
I am taking a French Film class, and I would like someone's opinions of these films
I will add on more French films made around 1930's to 50's

Opinions,insight on those movies would help
Thanks

[lenrely]

Here is my take on Le Grand Illusion. It makes clear how WWI ended the class system between the old aristocracy and the masses. When the French officer and his pilot are captured, he is treated better than the pilot and never truly sees him as an equal, until he befriends the German commandant and uses his influence to free the other prisoners. There is also a moment of anti-semitism when the pilot escapes with the jew, but this is only added so he can overcome it as they become friends. This film broke a lot of convention by showing not all prisoners were treated equal in the concentration camps, and the fact that the pilot falls in love with a german single mom in the countryside and settles down, even though he doesn't speak a word of german. Hope this helps.

[vivia12]

Thanks Lenrely for your insight on this, your name sound french : )
It helps a lot to hear others opinion
Its funny in :e Grande Illlusion how French Lt. Marachel was quite suspicious of the aristocratic officer Capt. De Boedlieu would hinder their escape but in fact. Capt. De Boedlieu was the one who has helped them escape by proviint a distraction.
Would you call it a sort of anti WWI movie? The prisoners at the german Barracks were treated humanely
And the German Capt. Wasn't some sort of mpnster,even thoughhe looked stiff and rigid like one