For Whom the Bell Tolls (1943)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Sam Wood

Writers:

Ernest Hemingway (novel)
Dudley Nichols (screenplay)

Release Date:

28 April 1944 (Sweden)

Genre:

Adventure | Drama | History | Romance | War

Tagline:

The Most Thrilling Moment Ever Screened

Plot:

Spain in the 1930s is the place to be for a man of action like Robert Jordan. There is a civil war going...

Plot Keywords:

Cave | Bridge | Civil War | Mountain | Girl

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 2 wins & 8 nominations

Cast

Gary Cooper	...	Robert Jordan
Ingrid Bergman	...	María
Akim Tamiroff	...	Pablo
Arturo de Córdova	...	Agustín (violent)
Vladimir Sokoloff	...	Anselmo (guide)
Mikhail Rasumny	...	Rafael (Gypsy)
Fortunio Bonanova	...	Fernando (calm)
Eric Feldary	...	Andrés (courier to Gen. Golz)
Victor Varconi	...	Primitivo (lookout)
Katina Paxinou	...	Pilar
Joseph Calleia	...	El Sordo
Lilo Yarson	...	Joaquin
Alexander Granach	...	Paco
Adia Kuznetzoff	...	Gustavo
Leonid Snegoff	...	Ignacio

Runtime:

170 min | USA:134 min (re-release) | USA:168 min (restored version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Certification:

UK:U | New Zealand:PG | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-16 | Sweden:11

Filming Locations:

Blue Canyon, California, USA

Company:

Paramount Pictures

Trivia:

Ernest Hemingway had Ingrid Bergman in mind as "Maria" while he was writing the novel "For Whom the Bell Tolls".

Goofs:

Factual errors: Pilar and Pablo use a 1892 Krag-Jorgenson (or variant). While it is possible, it is extremely unlikely that such a rifle, with its odd cartridge, was imported into Spain for the war effort.

Quotes:

Robert Jordan: Are you afraid?
Maria: Not now. I love you, Roberto. Always remember. I love you as I loved my father and mother, as I love our unborn children, as I love what I love most in the world, and I love you more. Always remember.
Robert Jordan: I'll remember.
Maria: Nothing can ever part us now, can it?
Robert Jordan: Nothing, Maria.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Picket Fences: For Whom the Wind Blows (#3.9)" (1994)

"the best screen adaption of any Hemingway novel"

Set against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, the prelude to WWII, this is one of the great action/adventure films of all time and the best screen adaption of any Hemingway novel. Cooper and Bergman set the sparks flying like Bogie and Bacall, and are sexier on screen without ever taking their clothes off than any of todays red hot lovers stark naked. Coop's hat alone deserves an honorary Oscar for Best Costume. Old pros like Vladimir Sokoloff, Akim Tamiroff and Fortunio Bonanova (whom film buffs will recognise as the opera coach from "Citizen Kane") keep that inimitable Hemingway dialogue moving at a brisk pace and Katina Paxinou, who copped the Best Supporting Actress award, is the embodiment of one of Hem's greatest characters. I have the 156 min version taped off cable and the added footage makes you hungry to see the whole 170 minute version (if it still exists). Don't miss this one. Four stars.