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For Whom the Bell Tolls | Year: 1943 Classification: Drama Directed: - Sam Wood Actors/Actresses: - Gary Cooper - Ingrid Bergman a great Hemingway adaptation When Hemingway picked Cooper and Bergman for this 1943 film, he couldn't have done better. They're heavenly to look at, and the chemistry between them is palpable. The dialogue has retained the style of the book, and they make it so natural, which is not an easy feat. Set in 1937 Spain, this Civil War story is an action packed adventure, but above all, it's a love story. Terrific cinematography by Ray Rennahan, a good atmospheric score by Victor Young, and a slew of interesting character actors (Katina Paxinou won the Oscar for best supporting actress) back the magnificent leads. Directed by Sam Wood, who a year earlier had directed one of Cooper's most famous films, "The Pride of the Yankees" (and in '45, was to team again with Cooper and Bergman in "Saratoga Trunk"), did a wonderful job with Hemingway's novel...it stands up to many viewings, and is a must for Cooper and Bergman fans. A Love Story and An Anti-War Film The more I watch FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS the more I appreciate it. Although the movie drags a bit in places - especially in the beginning - the suspense and action eventually build to a magnificant climax making the wait worthwhile. The film deserves its many Academy Award nominations. Gary Cooper is an excellent choice for Robert Jordan, an idealistic college instructor who joins the loyalist cause as a demolition expert. Ingrid Bergman is so good in the role of the young Maria that it is actually possible to forget that she is Swedish and not Spanish. I can't remember ever seeing much better acting than that of Cooper and Bergman in their final scene together. Of course there are many other memorable moments in this movie such as El Sordo's last stand on a hill against the Fascist forces. Katina Paxinou received an Academy Award for best supporting actress as Pilar who is one of the guerilla leaders and a thoroughly liberated female Gypsy. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS is faithful to Hemingway's novel. The special effects are excellent for their time. However, the army tanks in particular seem to be very unconvincing. Sam Wood was an outstanding director. He also directed PRIDE OF THE YANKEES and the original GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS with Robert Donat and Greer Garson. Above all FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS is a love story. It is also an anti-war film and a story told mostly about guerillas fighting on the losing side in the Spanish Civil War. GREAT... but... ... why these complaints about a widescreen-version? 20th Century-Fox released the first CinemaScope film in 1953(The Robe) in order to outdo TV.... True, there were occassional try-outs like Napoleon in 1927, but the widescreen-system as we know it; came in 1953. FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS is a great as it can get. Bergman in particular shows us natural acting a`la Brando - years before he came to the Hollywood scene... Unfortunately; the two weeks-shooting of Norwegian Vera Zorina as Maria is NOT included on the DVD. Ingrid raplaced her when the ballerina tiptoed through her role; but actually was given the sack because of Cooper, Wood and even Hemingway`s personal interests in Bergman. It would have been nice to see the difference between Vera and Ingrid. The production is lavish and the dialogue intelligent. It was not well-received in 1943 and suffered under the success of Casablanca. However; I think Bergman is at her peak as MARIA and not as ILSA hehehehe Buy For Whom The Bell Tolls at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on For Whom The Bell Tolls Search with the Priority Search Engine on For Whom The Bell Tolls This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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