Review of A Farewell to Arms (1932) by Christine R — 04 Feb 2012

Following his second Best Director Oscar, Frank Borzage was contracted to direct this first of many future Hemingway adaptations, and in retrospect, eighty years later, it's still the best. All eyes are on Gary Cooper, in an early romantic role, as Hemingway's American lieutenant in Italy, falling deeply in love with Helen Hayes as a saintly nurse, only naturally to be ripped apart by war and tragedy.

For an early sound production, the camera is surprisingly mobile, and the beautiful cinematography deservedly won an Oscar.