战地之花 (1925)

A fine silent classic that has held up very well, "The Big Parade" is one of the very best films of its era and of its genre. It has a nice blend of drama, action, and lighter moments, with plenty of good photography and settings. The characters are simple, believable, and unpretentious, and they are brought to life well by the cast. Its commentary on the war is to the point, yet in a thoughtful way, without the heavy-handed cinematic ranting that mars so many films about war.The early scenes work very well in introducing some of the characters and themes. Its portrayal of the USAs entry into the war is intelligently done, while holding nothing back in its perspective. By not assigning blame or responsibility to any specific persons or countries, it enhances its portrayal of the kind of mentality that so often prevails in such situations. It is a believable, and sometimes subtle, sequence that works quite well.Once the movie gets into the main story, it uses the "parade" imagery well, and combines it effectively with the personal development of the characters.John Gilbert and Renée Adorée work quite well together, and Gilberts army pals are both used effectively. There are quite a few memorable scenes as it depicts a full variety of wartime experiences. The lighter sequences are used particularly well, not as raucous humor but as moments of the more sensitive side of human nature that is still there somewhere amidst all of the turmoil.Theres much more that could be said about such an absorbing film, but watching the movie is more rewarding than reading about it. Its neither an action-heavy war film nor a superficial, easily understood movie contrived to prove a particular point; its something much better that fully repays careful attention and appreciation. 《战地之花》是默片时代美国最卖座的四部电影之一。和恋人分别后的见异思迁、对军队所代表的勇武的歌颂，这些今天看来让人皱眉头的情节，并不是影片要表达的重点。当吉姆所在的部队开赴前线后，两军阵前的各种对垒、吉姆仰天对战争发出的质问、和年轻的德国兵在弹坑里的共处、被战火毁坏的法国村庄 ... ... 无一不在对战争进行着控诉。对吉姆的母亲重新见到儿子后，回忆起儿子童稚时代的画面印象深刻。金.维多相比于同时代的其他导演，有着对 “