IN LOVE AND WAR

US, 1996, 116 minutes, Colour.
Sandra Bullock, Chris O’ Donnell, Ingrid Lacey, Makenzie Astin.
Directed by Richard Attenborough.

Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms (filmed in 1932 and 1957) was based on his experiences in northern Italy, World War I, 1918. Now we are shown Hemingway's own story. It is a beautifully photographed film, especially the Italian locations, with some sad sequences of trench warfare. But the emphasis is mainly on love in the context of war. Brash reporter Ernie, aged 18, becomes infatuated with the nurse who tends him after he is wounded in the leg (and carries a wounded Italian to safety). It is an impossible love, especially with age and the unreal war situations.

The information given at the end about the subsequent lives of the protagonists makes it all poignantly sad. Richard Attenborough has made a very civilised film, nice rather than gritty. Chris O'Donnell is more animated than usual. Sandra Bullock is charming as the dedicated nurse, confused by Hemingway. The film is an undemanding romance based on sad real life. Low-key Hemingway.

1. Audience interest in Earnest Hemingway? The films about him? Of his novels? His reputation? American literature? The Nobel prize?

2. The sadness of this perspective on his life as a young man, knowing the future, the ups and downs of his life, his suicide?

3. Richard Attenborough and his reputation, his films? The choice of this story? His cast, the Italian locations, the musical score?

4. The film based on fact? Hemingway and World War One? Agnes and her work as a nurse, her subsequent career? Their relationship? The experience of war? Of Italy? The basis for A Farewell to Arms?

5. The location photography of northern Italy, Vittoria Vento? Venice? The era? Beauty, war and action? Costumes and décor?

6. The contrast with the United States, ordinary, homes, New York City, the woods?

7. The introduction, the explanation of the war and American presence, nurses and the Red Cross?

8. The film as the story and Agnes? Sandra Bullock and her screen presence? Age, 26, maturity? The arrival of the nurses, the training, ambitions? Mac and her friendship with Agnes? The initial meeting with Harry? Her work, her commitment? The details of nursing? The injured and their wounds? Deaths?

9. Ernest Hemingway, his age, brash, clashes with the officer and making demands for re-appointment? His going to the front, his talk, enthusiasm, at the front, with the Italian men, the rifle, aiming it, wanting to be involved in the war? The explosion? The injured young man and his carrying him? His later receiving the medal and the citations for his bravery? The episode with the young man’s father, giving him the coat, his wearing it?

10. The injury to his leg, suffering, at the hospital, the other men? The man he carried and his dying? Agnes and her attention? Her saving his leg with the Johns Hopkins treatment? The attraction to Aggie, flirting? The other men? His improving, the cards, asking the cleaner for the brandy? Interactions with the other men, especially Jimmy and the injuries to his face from the phosphorus?

11. The relationship with Aggie, her resistance, the scene where he touched the cloth of her dress? Her writing the letters? His going to her room? The picnic with Harry coming along? Hemingway’s reaction, into the water? His invitation to go fishing? The pressuring her? The effect on him? On her? The night before his leaving, the context of the brothel and the town, the room, the sexual relationship? The dancing, naked?

12. Harry as a character, nice, the picnic, his envy of Hemingway, Aggie giving him her ring to give to Hemingway, the letter? The picnic sequence? Aggie meeting him again in New York, his explaining the situation?

13. Jimmie, his injured face, dictating the letter to his parents, his philosophy of playing whatever cards he was dealt? Killing himself? Hemingway persuading Aggie to write another letter, Hemingway composing it with feeling?

14. Hemingway at home, the articles about him, his father? His own writing? His anger with Aggie?

15. The Italian doctor, his talent, interest in Johns Hopkins method, his saving Hemingway’s leg? The attraction to Aggie, going out with her, the introduction to the family, in Venice, Italian Society and Aggie not marrying him?

16. The eight months passing, the visit to Harry, going to Hemingway, his anger, love but inability to heal the break? Her departure?

17. Aggie’s experience of war and love, Hemingway’s? Her memories? Hemingway’s achievement?