A Farewell To Arms (1957)

42% of users liked it
(1,405 ratings)

Farewell to Arms is the second film version of Ernest Hemingway's World War One novel--and also the last film produced by David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind). Rock Hudson plays an American serving in the Italian Army during the "War to End All Wars". Jennifer Jones is his lover, a Red cross… More Farewell to Arms is the second film version of Ernest Hemingway's World War One novel--and also the last film produced by David O. Selznick (Gone with the Wind). Rock Hudson plays an American serving in the Italian Army during the "War to End All Wars". Jennifer Jones is his lover, a Red cross nurse. They have a torrid affair, which results in Jones' pregnancy. As the months pass, Hudson and Jones lose contact with one another, and Jones believes that Hudson has forgotten her. But a battle-weary Hudson finally makes it to Switzerland, where Jones is hospitalized. The baby is stillborn, and Jones dies shortly afterward, murmuring that her death is "a dirty trick." Filmed on a simpler scale in 1932 (with Gary Cooper and Helen Hayes starring), A Farewell to Arms was blown all out of proportion to "epic" stature for the 1957 remake--so much so that its original director, John Huston, quit the film in disgust. Still, the basic love story is touchingly enacted by Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 2 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Charles Vidor
Genres: Drama, Romance, Classics

In Theaters: Dec 14, 1957 Wide
On DVD: Mar 29, 2005

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Selznick's last film as producer is a vastly disappointing remake of the superior 1932 version of Hemingway's novel, a sentimental, overblown production with stiff performances from Rock Hudson and Jennifer Jones.
Walter Chaw, Film Freak Central
One of David O. Selznick's many attempts to shape his lady-love Jennifer Jones' largely immutable mug into the face that launched a thousand cinematic ships.
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
To those willing to endure A Farewell To Arms: Don't be a hero!
Jeremiah Kipp, Slant Magazine
We have David O. Selznick to blame for this bloated two-hour-plus Technicolor remake.

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

Just okay version of Hemingway story suffers from overlength although it has fine production values. Rock is pretty good in the lead. Jennifer Jones less so as Catherine, affected and rather bland.

Cast

            Rock Hudson as Lt. Frederick Henry

            Jennifer Jones as Nurse Catherine Barkley

            Vittorio De Sica as Maj. Alessandro Rinaldi

            Alberto Sordi as Father Galli

            Kurt Kasznar as Bonello

            Oscar Homolka as Dr. Emerich

            Elaine Stritch as Helen Ferguson

            Mercedes McCambridge as Miss Van Campen

            Leopoldo Trieste as Passini

            Franco Interlenghi as Aymo

            José Nieto as Major Stampi

            Georges Brehat as Capt. Bassi

            Memmo Carotenuto as Nino

            Guido Martufi as Boy Scout

            Umberto Spadaro as Barber

            Umberto Sacripante as Ambulance Driver

            Victor Francen as Col. Valentini

            Joan Shawlee as Nurse

            Carlo Pedersoli as Carabiniere

            Patrick Crean as Medical Lieutenant

            Guidarino Guidi as Civilian Doctor

            Diana King as Hospital Receptionist

            Eduard Linkers as Lt. Zimmerman

            Johanna Hofer as Mrs. Zimmerman

            Angelo Galassi as Firing Squad Commander

            Carlo Hintermann as First Diner

            Tiberio Mitri as Diner

            Peter Illing as Milan Hotel Clerk

            Sam Levene as Swiss Sergeant

            Clelia Matania as Hair Dresser

            Gisella Matthews as Nurse in Catherine's Room

            Giacomo Rossi-Stuart
            
            Eva Kotthaus as Delivery Room Nurse

            Oskar Homolka
            
See full cast