The Big Parade (1925)
Average Rating: 9.1/10
Reviews Counted: 7
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 0
No consensus yet.
Release Date: Jan 1, 1925 Limited
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Average Rating: 4.2/5
User Ratings: 680
Movie Info
The Big Parade was designed as a modest programmer concerning one young man's disillusionment in the face of war. When the MGM executives took a look at the projection-room rushes, they gave director King Vidor the go-ahead to film an all-out "spectacular", which ended up running 13 reels and costing a then-astronomical $382,000. Shorn of his matinee-idol mustache, John Gilbert is perfect as an all-American-boy who signs up for World War I service, dreaming of adventure and glory. The first half
Jan 1, 1925 Limited
Cast
-
John Gilbert
James Apperson -
Renée Adorée
Melisande -
Hobart Bosworth
Mr. Apperson -
Claire McDowell
Mrs. Apperson -
Claire Adams
Justyn Reed -
Karl Dane
Slim -
Robert Ober
Harry -
Tom O'Brien
Bull -
Rosita Marstini
Melisande's Mother -
Rosita Marshni
French Mother
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All Critics (11) | Top Critics (3) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (0) | DVD (2)
Masterfully directed by King Vidor, this swings easily between comedy, romance and tragedy without missing a beat, and there are numerous set-pieces of enormous power -- even today, the harrowing battle scenes would rank among the best ever put on film.
Like All Quiet on the Western Front, The Big Parade gives a comprehensive look at then-modern warfare.
Though a virtually uncountable number of war films in the intervening 84 years have trodden upon much the same ground, few of them indeed have been able to equal its achievements.
King Vidor's popular moving antiwar WWI drama set the tone for how to shoot a war film.
The Big Parade (1925) is director/producer King Vidor's most famous war film from the silent era -
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Foreign Titles
- The Big Parade (1925) (DE)
- The Big Parade (1925) (UK)
The story focuses on three American doughboys, fighting in Europe during WWI. Two are working class; a tobacco spitting riveter, Slim, a barkeep, Bull, and a ne'er-do-well son of wealth, Jim, who was shamed into enlisting by his family. These three go through the hardships of military training together, bond, and become fast friends. Their friendships deepen after they are shipped to France where Jim falls in love with a French farm girl. This comprises the first half of the 2 1/2 hour movie. The second half of the movie is the gritty reality of trench warfare.
Some say that this is one of the first big-budget anti-war movies. I'd take issue with that, but the film does show the human cost of war without condemning it outright. Remember that WWI was 'the war to end all wars', and in 1925 this was still a possibility. But "The Big Parade" does take an unflinching look at the affect of war on both combatants and non-combatants.
The performances and direction are excellent and silent or not, this is a movie well worth seeing.