SYNOPSIS: "A Farewell to Arms" (1932) is a romantic drama directed by Frank Borzage, based on Ernest Hemingway's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. Set against the backdrop of World War I, the film follows the tumultuous love story of Lieutenant Frederic Henry (Gary Cooper), an American serving as an ambulance driver in the Italian army, and Catherine Barkley (Helen Hayes), a British nurse. Their romance blossoms amidst the chaos of war, but their relationship is fraught with obstacles, including Frederic's injuries and the disapproval of military superiors. As Frederic recovers from his wounds, the couple faces separation and the challenges of an uncertain future. The film poignantly captures the themes of love and loss, highlighting the emotional toll of war on individuals and relationships.

PLOT Spoiler Alert: "A Farewell to Arms" begins with Lieutenant Frederic Henry (Gary Cooper), an American serving as an ambulance driver in the Italian Army during World War I. He befriends an Italian surgeon, Major Rinaldi (Adolphe Menjou), who introduces him to Catherine Barkley (Helen Hayes), a British nurse grieving the loss of her fiancé. Despite her initial reluctance, Catherine and Frederic develop a deep romantic relationship.

As the war rages on, Frederic is injured and sent to a hospital in Milan, where Catherine is also transferred. Their love blossoms amidst the chaos of war, and they secretly plan a future together. However, Rinaldi, jealous of their relationship, manipulates their circumstances, leading to Frederic’s reassignment to the front lines and Catherine’s transfer to another hospital.

Frederic's determination to reunite with Catherine drives him to desert the army. He embarks on a perilous journey through war-torn Italy, evading capture and facing numerous hardships. Meanwhile, Catherine discovers she is pregnant and faces her own set of challenges, including the social stigma of being an unwed mother in wartime.

After a harrowing escape, Frederic finally reunites with Catherine in Switzerland, where they hope to build a peaceful life together.

However, their happiness is short-lived. Catherine goes into premature labor, resulting in a stillborn baby. She herself is gravely injured during childbirth and ultimately dies, leaving Frederic devastated and alone.

The film ends with Frederic walking away from the hospital in a state of grief, symbolizing the futility and tragic cost of war and love.

PRODUCTION: "A Farewell to Arms," produced by Paramount Pictures and directed by Frank Borzage, adapted the screenplay from Ernest Hemingway's 1929 novel, with Benjamin Glazer and Oliver H.P. Garrett handling the adaptation. The film is renowned for its poignant depiction of love and loss amidst the backdrop of World War I, capturing the war-torn landscapes of Italy with impressive cinematography and authentic production design.

Starring Gary Cooper as Lieutenant Frederic Henry and Helen Hayes as Catherine Barkley, supported by Adolphe Menjou as Major Rinaldi, the performances of Cooper and Hayes garnered widespread acclaim, contributing significantly to the film's success and enduring legacy.

Upon its initial release in 1932, international audiences experienced the film with its original ending. However, various versions circulated among American audiences: some featured a happier ending where Catherine survives, while others left the conclusion ambiguous. Concerns from censors extended beyond Catherine's fate, leading to multiple versions of the film proliferating over subsequent re-releases to film and television, exacerbated by changes in ownership to Warner Bros. and eventual lapse into the public domain.

RELEASE: In his 1932 review for The New York Times, Mordaunt Hall critiqued the film adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel, noting an excess of sentimentality over narrative strength. He observed that the film rushed through Lieutenant Henry's hardships and experiences, hinting at them rather than delving deeply into their depiction. Despite this, Hall praised Gary Cooper for his earnest and impressive portrayal, Helen Hayes for her admirable performance as Catherine, and Adolphe Menjou for his clever characterization. Hall lamented that these talented actors did not have more opportunities for truly dramatic moments within the film.

Reflecting on the film in 2006, Dan Callahan of Slant Magazine acknowledged Hemingway's initial disdain for Frank Borzage's adaptation of "A Farewell to Arms," yet noted that over time, the film has found favor. Callahan suggested that the film softened Hemingway's pessimism, replacing it instead with a celebration of enduring love between the central couple.

In a 2014 review posted on Time Out London, the film was hailed not only as the finest cinematic adaptation of a Hemingway novel but also as one of the most thrilling portrayals of the potency of romantic love ever created by Borzage. The review praised Borzage's unique visual style, describing his use of light and movement akin to brushstrokes, seamlessly blending naturalism with daring expressionism in each shot. This perspective elevated romantic melodrama to its apex.

CAST:

• Helen Hayes as Catherine Barkley

• Gary Cooper as Lieutenant Frederic Henry

• Adolphe Menjou as Major Rinaldi

• Mary Philips as Helen Ferguson

• Jack La Rue as Priest

• Blanche Friderici as Head Nurse

• Mary Forbes as Miss Van Campen

• Gilbert Emery as British Major

CREW:

• Director: Frank Borzage

• Producers: Edward A. Blatt, Benjamin Glazer (screenplay), Laurence Stallings (play), Ernest Hemingway (novel)

• Writers: Benjamin Glazer, Oliver H.P. Garrett

• Cinematographer: Charles Lang

• Editor: Otho Lovering, George Nicholls Jr.

Production Company: Paramount Pictures
Distributor: Paramount Pictures

Release Date: December 8, 1932
Country of Origin: United States
Running Time: 88 minutes
Budget: $900,000
Box Office Return: $1 million

IMDB Rating =  6.4 / 10

Trivia:

• Ernest Hemingway disliked the romanticized interpretation of his novel, though he later became friends with Gary Cooper, who he insisted be cast in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" (1943).

• Early versions of the script faced censorship issues, particularly scenes involving childbirth and medical references, leading to cuts for re-releases to meet stricter standards.

• Miniature models were noticeable in some scenes, such as the ambulance trucks on winding mountain roads in the opening sequence.

• To comply with the Production Code upon re-release in 1938, 12 minutes of footage were removed, preserving the original cut thanks to producer David O. Selznick's foresight.

• Despite Hemingway's criticisms, the film was the third most popular movie in the U.S. for 1932.

• Originally, Fredric March was slated for the lead, but after director changes, Gary Cooper took over the role, which Hemingway later endorsed for his novel adaptation.

• Adolphe Menjou, who played a significant role, had real-life experience as a World War I ambulance corps captain.

• The film is set during World War I, from February to November 4, 1918, reflecting the novel's timeline.

• This was the first Ernest Hemingway novel adapted into a film, setting a precedent for future literary adaptations.

• Helen Hayes, initially considered miscast as an English nurse in the film, went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress the same year, which significantly boosted her Hollywood career.

• Director Frank Borzage's romantic style was evident, emphasizing emotional depth and the romantic elements of the story.

• Though in the novel the character of Catherine Barkley is described as very tall, actress Helen Hayes is only five feet in height.

• The film was withdrawn from circulation in the 1950s when a 1957 remake went into production.

• Ruth Chatterton, Claudette Colbert, and Eleanor Boardman were considered for the role of Catherine Barkley before Helen Hayes was cast.

• "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60-minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 5, 1937, with Jack La Rue reprising his film role.

• Paramount consulted with the Italian Embassy in Washington, DC, to ensure no "objectionable" material in the script related to Italy's involvement in World War I.

• The film was nominated for Best Picture and Helen Hayes won Best Actress at the Academy Awards that year.

• The film was remade as "A Farewell to Arms" in 1957 starring Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones, and later as a TV miniseries in 1966 with George Hamilton and Vanessa Redgrave.

• Some references list the play by Laurence Stallings as an uncredited source for the movie, which opened on Broadway in 1930.

• "The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 30-minute radio adaptation of the movie on April 10, 1944, with Gary Cooper reprising his film role.

• The film featured two Oscar winners (Helen Hayes and Gary Cooper) and one Oscar nominee (Adolphe Menjou) among its cast.

• This role was one of the few in his career where Jack La Rue portrayed a character against his usual type, playing a priest.

• Paramount purchased the film rights from Ernest Hemingway for $80,000 in 1930, equivalent to nearly $1.5 million in 2024 dollars.

"A Farewell to Arms" remains a poignant adaptation of Hemingway's novel, noted for its evocative portrayal of love and loss amidst the backdrop of World War I, continuing to resonate with audiences for its emotional depth and compelling performances.