A Farewell to Arms

Title: A Farewell to Arms
Year: 1932
Genres: Romance; Drama; War
Director: Frank Borzage

Cast:

  • Helen Hayes as Catherine Barkley
  • Gary Cooper as Lt. Frederic Henry
  • Adolphe Menjou as Major Rinaldi
  • Mary Philips as Helen Ferguson
  • Blanche Friderici as The Duchess
  • Lucien Littlefield as The Priest
  • Gilbert Emery as The Major
  • Walter Catlett as Bonelli

Synopsis:


During World War I, American ambulance driver Lt. Frederic Henry is wounded on the Italian front and sent to a Swiss hospital, where he meets British nurse Catherine Barkley. A tender romance blossoms amid the horrors of war. Henry soon returns to service but is disillusioned by the brutality around him. After a disastrous retreat, he deserts and reunites with Catherine in neutral Switzerland. There, they marry and welcome a child, but their happiness is shattered when Catherine falls ill during childbirth, forcing Henry to confront profound grief and the fragility of love in times of turmoil.

Trivia:

  • Based on Ernest Hemingway’s 1929 novel, this was the first major sound adaptation of the work.
  • Although nominated for Best Picture and Best Cinematography at the 1933 Academy Awards, it did not win in either category.
  • Director Frank Borzage was celebrated for his sensitive handling of the central romance against a backdrop of conflict.
  • Cinematographer Charles Lang’s expressive use of shadow and rain became a hallmark of early 1930s Hollywood dramas.
  • The film’s U.S. copyright was not renewed and it now resides in the public domain, leading to numerous restorations and releases.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

©2025 Public Domain Movies WordPress Theme by WPEnjoy