Arms and the Man
Based on the play by George Bernard Shaw
One night, a frightened Swiss soldier of fortune climbs into the bedroom of a young Bulgarian girl, Raina (Helena Bonham Carter), and soon deflates her romantic notions about love and valor. The cast of characters includes a jealous fiance fighting for the other side, a bumbling military father, and a domineering and social-climbing mother - not to mention the servants who see and hear all. This hilarious and charmingly ludicrous look at the misconceptions of love and war continues to delight and unsettle audiences even today.
Member Reviews
It Entertained Me - Iolanthe
If you really don't like film adaptations of stage plays, period, then this is not for you. But if you don't come with a bias, I can recommend "Arms and the Man". This is a fine interpretation of the Shaw play. The acting is worthy, the costumes are fabulous and there are witty bits of stage business. I enjoyed it.An excellent adaptation of a stage play - Geotech
Having recently enjoyed an excellent production of Arms and the Man at the Shaw Festival at Niagara on the Lake I was pleasantly surprised that a movie could interpret Shaw's humor and wit so well. Although the magical rapport between the actors and the audience can not be duplicated in a movie, the camera work made up for this to a large extent. Close ups on the dogs and horses at opportune times as well as the ability to use sets that ca not be duplicated on a theater stage worked well -- a thoroughly enjoyable movie.Don't bother - C.B.
A play in front of a camera. Very '80s, poor quality BBC drama. Don't know how Shaw ever got the reputation he did, if this is any kind of indication . . . . And since my "review can not be less than 50 words (250 characters)" I add poorly acted badly scripted.
Member Reviews
Read All...
It Entertained Me - Iolanthe
If you really don't like film adaptations of stage plays, period, then this is not for you. But if you don't come with a bias, I can recommend "Arms and the Man". This is a fine interpretation of the Shaw play. The acting is worthy, the costumes are fabulous ...An excellent adaptation of a stage play - Geotech
Having recently enjoyed an excellent production of Arms and the Man at the Shaw Festival at Niagara on the Lake I was pleasantly surprised that a movie could interpret Shaw's humor and wit so well. Although the magical rapport between the actors and the audience ...Don't bother - C.B.
A play in front of a camera. Very '80s, poor quality BBC drama. Don't know how Shaw ever got the reputation he did, if this is any kind of indication . . . . And since my "review can not be less than 50 words (250 characters)" I add poorly acted badly scripted.