Quite simply a masterpiece. William Dieterle came out of the German Expressionist school & his later noir movies clearly reflect that influence. Here with a story by the great John Monk Saunders ( Wings, The Dawn Patrol)) containing larger & more profound issues to explore than the typical noir plot line he is in an existential mode in dealing with the play of the characters but with a strong expressionist style making for a fascinating movie experience.
Four friends who fought in and were deeply damaged by the Great War carouse through Europe, despair at their heels. They drink, meet a woman, go to a bullfight, roam around Europe. Everything they do reflects the disillusionment at the heart of their existence. Moving, beautiful, sad. The reviewer who said he prefers the somewhat mediocre 'The Sun Also Rises' clearly didn't understand the nature of what he was watching. Superbly acted by all participants Absolutely essential viewing, relevant today as it was then. War destroys people.
Four friends who fought in and were deeply damaged by the Great War carouse through Europe, despair at their heels. They drink, meet a woman, go to a bullfight, roam around Europe. Everything they do reflects the disillusionment at the heart of their existence. Moving, beautiful, sad. The reviewer who said he prefers the somewhat mediocre 'The Sun Also Rises' clearly didn't understand the nature of what he was watching. Superbly acted by all participants Absolutely essential viewing, relevant today as it was then. War destroys people.