Grand Illusion - James Clarke

The Grand Illusion marks a time of change on society of the world as a result of World War I. A great change in the way that people and countrymen treat one another. The class system of Europe is crumbling as the war wanes, and these French soldiers must rely upon one another to maintain some shred of sanity.

The characters pictured above are my main focus. Not only is the German officer on the right just an incredible model for future badguys in other films, but he is the perfect antagonist for the French prisoners of war. Not only is he too a prisoner of this place, but his body is in shambles. He is in constant pain as a reminder of his time as a soldier. Meanwhile, the men he guards are all in relatively good health. The illusion of a relationship that forms between the two officers pictured is also a terrific foil. The Frenchman accepts the company because it would be rude not to, but the German is hoping to associate with an equal. What the Frenchman comes to not be able to accept is that his fellow compatriots are lesser than he is. Unable to accept this, he sacrifices himself so that those less than he can escape. He does this to prove his point that no one man is worth more than another, especially in a time of war. The German pleads with him to not forfeit his life, and guns him down. By World War II this mentality of class was most definitely was completely gone. It was replaced solely by race and religious differences.

Why must someone always be better than another person because of their differences?

I particularly love the scene where all the prisoners are making costumes and discussing their reasons for escape. Tennis courts are for playing tennis, and prisons are for escaping. This is a terrific statement. Prisons are for holding prisoners, but to the prisoners, the illusion of freedom is ever present. The ensemble of characters in this film are definitely its highlight. Their relationships as they arrive, how they change, and the new relationships formed is a testament to the changes in Europe at that time. I did think the ending was rather abrupt and strangely placed, and they don't seem to be any better off lost in Switzerland than in Germany, but at least they escaped so that the other officer's sacrifice was not wasted.