A Farewell to Arms

The first screen version of Ernest Hemingway's novel is not necessarily the most faithful—at 89 minutes, it's considerably condensed, and Hemingway himself was displeased with this adaptation of his semi-autobiographical story—but to date it's still the most passionate and moving interpretation. Gary Cooper is almost impossibly young and handsome as Lt. Frederic Henry, the stalwart soldier resigned to the grind of war, and Helen Hayes practically glows as Catherine Barkley, an angel of a nurse who's nonetheless down to earth when it comes to romance and sex. Their affair leads to the birth of a child out of wedlock, a situation that the 1932 film refuses to judge. Director Frank Borzage's romanticism would seem a poor match for Hemingway's stoicism, but he elevates the couple's love to a holy purity even as it takes place outside the boundaries of church dictates and social acceptance. A priest performs a benediction over their union, suggesting some kind of marriage, but the Catholic League wasn't fooled and condemned the movie. Winner of Oscars for Best Cinematography and Best Sound and nominated for Best Film and Best Art Direction, A Farewell to Arms remains a beautiful work, even though choppiness suggests rather violent treatment from studio editors. This new Kino release—remastered in HD from an archival 35mm print for both DVD and Blu-ray—is the best it's ever looked and sounded. Extras include a stills gallery. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)