Spike Jonze

Give a rating of the movie (from a scale of 1-10)
How is the DVD (transfer, sound)?

DVD Smurf

Superb film with an excellent theme that I would recommend to anyone. The use of angles and mise en scene in Grand Illusion are something that film schools are still studying in today's cinema. A must if you like Jean Renoir, and a must if you enjoy classic films that has quality substance to them. I do not want to give away the film, but I was not disappointed when I viewed it for the first time, and I am actually viewing again on Thursday with a couple of friends of mine. So sould you buy it? Yes, I give the film a 9.5 or 10 depending on how I feel.

The transfer is actually very good, and the sound is good as well. Ok, it is not DTS, but it cannot be expected since it was as foreign as walking on the moon at that time.

Nick Danger

I thought the movie was amazing. The title refers to either war, international borders, or the decline of the European class system. The original POW escape movie. People who are so polite that the French officer speaks German, and the German officer speaks French. I'd give it a 9.

I have seen it on published lists of the most boring movies of all time. It's a war movie with lots of talk but no gun battles.

When Renoir's "Rules of the Game" comes out on DVD, I'll buy that, too.

I have the DVD but haven't had time to watch it yet. Sorry.

CrashMan

Grand Illusion is a great DVD. If I'm not mistaken you get to see four different phases of the restoration in the demo. The finished product is amazing.

Bobubott

I wasn't expecting lots of battles and violence, but I did find the film quite boring. Maybe I missed a lot of the little nuances, but I just didn't care a whole lot about the characters or the story. I'd place it in the same category as Boudu Saved From Drowning. On the other hand, I feel Rules of the Game, A Day in the Country, and The Crime of M. Lange are Renoir's much stronger films... interesting characters *and* engaging plotlines.