Three Classic War Films Screening at The Tivoli December 8-10

“The man you stabbed in the back is a soldier!”

Two anti-war WWI films and one wild British propaganda piece made while WWII was still raging constitute the three-film series sponsored by The Mildred Kemper Art Museum next week at The Tivoli Theater (6350 Delmar in the University City Loop). This ties into the museum’s current exhibit World War I: War of Images, Images of War, which is on display through January (details on the exhibit can be found HERE) http://www.kemperartmuseum.wustl.edu/WWI

All three films start at 7pm and admission is FREE!

ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT screens at 7pm Tuesday December 8th

The film series kicks off Tuesday December 8^th with ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT (1930) — the first major anti-war film of the sound era, faithfully based upon the timeless, best-selling 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque, who had experienced the war first-hand as a young German soldier. The film was advertised with the brooding face of one of the young German recruits sent into World War I. The landmark, epic film used acres of California ranch land for the battle scenes, and employed over 2,000 extras. From four Academy Award nominations, it won the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director (Lewis Milestone with his first sound feature), and it was also nominated for Best Writing Achievement (George Abbott, Maxwell Anderson, and Del Andrews) and Best Cinematography (Arthur Edeson). ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT is easily one of the most gripping, realistic interpretations of the horror of military combat. Also a rarity, it’s an American anti-war film told through the eyes of German soldiers. While some of the dialogue may be dated, and the early-sound film mix today seems muffled, the graphic and vivid scenes really bring out the horror and make you feel sympathy for all involved. Some of the dialogue is inspired, and stands the test of time – Soldiers mulling over just how a war starts (“One country offends another country”…”How can a mountain in Germany offend a field in England?”) Some scenes in ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT are some of the most famous in movie history – a machine gun’s view of the carnage, indiscriminately mowing down hundreds of soldiers who drop dead six feet in front of the camera, soldiers ceasing to exist after a shell hit (all that remains, in one case, are the soldier’s hands, clutching a strand of barbed wire).The battlefields are miles of muddy, shell-cratered wasteland, the soldiers too numerous to count. The final scene, concerning a butterfly, is definitely one of the most startling movie endings of all time in terms of emotional power.

PATHS OF GLORY screens at 7pm Wednesday December 9th

In 1916 France, World War II Generals George Macready (as Mireau) and Adolphe Menjou (as Broulard) decide to order troops attack a German stronghold known as “The Ant Hill” – even though they are aware the military will certainly suffer massive causalities, and will most probably fail. When the orders are given, many of the soldiers are aware the mission is doomed, and retreat to their trenches; although some, like Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) attempt to be valiant. After the embarrassing defeat, the Generals decide to court-martial, and execute by firing squad, a random selection of their own soldiers. “Paths of Glory are paved with blood.” PATHS OF GLORY showed anyone who wasn’t convinced by THE KILLING that Stanley Kubrick was a filmmaker to be reckoned with; it is a bold, innovative, and highly engaging anti-war drama. Paths of Glory is the first great proto film of Kubrick. You can see elements of his style taking hold and developing; the incredible use of set and location, the long tracking shots of the trenches, war, and execution march. His unrelenting storytelling style compared to Hollywood genre conventions; And of course his ending. Kirk Douglas is towering and suave, Mr. Menjou plays evil with ease; and, Mr. Macready should have received a “Best Supporting Actor” award for carrying out his orders. Neither Douglas, Menjou, nor Macready were nominated, surprisingly. The rest of the regimen is no less impressive; with Ralph Meeker (as Paris), Joe Turkel (as Arnaud), and Timothy Carey (as Ferol) obviously moving up in the ranks. And, note how real-life war hero Wayne Morris (as Roget) plays against type. Kubrick makes more subversive and subtle points with priestly Emile Meyer and the German singer.PATHS OF GLORY is a masterpiece that should not be missed.

WENT THE DAY WELL? screens at 7pm Thursday December 10th

I had heard of WENT THE DAY WELL? for many years but finally had the opportunity to watch it four years ago when Cinema St. Louis screened a 35mm print as part of The St. Louis International Film Festival. This was a startling wartime propaganda film from in the UK, written by Graham Greene. It follows the story of an advance group of German soldiers who take over a village as a precursor to a main invasion and how the villagers react and fight back. This could have been full of stiff-upper lipped stoicism and clunky wartime messages but it completely transcends it. Don’t get me wrong, there are some unsubtle scenes and some of the acting is mediocre at best ( I believe some of the actors were in fact soldiers ) but the film manages to build tension and has the most fantastic female characters. What really stands out for me is that there is a British traitor – he isn’t portrayed as a German – he appears to be British and also the sheer acts of bravery that the women undertake – these are not glamorous action heroes – these are ladies that like to have tea at 3pm with a nice cake or cucumber sandwich. I still cannot get over the scene where the lady of the manor grabs a grenade and takes it out of the room to save the children, sacrificing herself. The postmistress who ponders how she is going to murder with a hatchet the German soldier at her table…and how she meets a bad end also….and the lady who knows she must sort the traitor out…how she takes it upon herself to kill him and the look of madness and terror on her face when she does so. WENT THE DAY WELL? was a joy to watch and I really recommend catching it at the Tivoli next week.

Did I mention these films are Free?!?