(Please ignore the French Subtitles)
(Unless you like French subtitles, then don't ignore them)
Origin: This is a film set in world war two. It was released in
1949. According to rottentomatoes, a movie review site, it was directed by
Howard Hawks. Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan play the main characters. The movie
follows the interactions between American Lieutenant Catherine Gates and
Belgian Captain Henri Rochard who at first hate each other, then fall in love.
The story follows their journey to live peacefully, then finally attempt to use
the War Bride Act. However, there is a mix up, and Henri has to be the war
bride. The plot is set in Germany, immediately after World War II.
Purpose: The movie is loosely based on the book I Was an Alien Spouse of Female Military Personnel Enroute to the United States Under Public Law 271 of the Congress. The novel is a biography of a belgian, Captain Henri Rochard, who married an American nurse. It was made to add humor to the experience, and to show the audience the struggle experienced by the couple. It's also poking fun at the strict (and somewhat ridiculous) regulations of the U.S. Army, such as Henri's war bride status restricting him from driving a motor cycle.
Value: This film highlights many topics that were prevalent during the time period. First, it portrays women as part of the war, which was empowering to women by showing it as a norm. Also, it shows many important cultural norms during world war two. It also discusses the condition of female war brides, as when Captain Henri dresses up as a female war bride, he has to live in the same conditions as the other many war brides. it also shines light on gender roles, and portrays the confusion at swapped genders. Additionally, it gives insight to some policies that were used during the war, such as the War Bride Act.
The method of shooting using natural light, among other techniques shows the realist movement that was starting to spread through films.
Limitations: The film doesn't really talk about the state of the world post-war, and only highlights a few countries, whose states aren't really shown. Also, it doesn't talk about many concerns that were present after world war II, and fails to go more in depth about the cultural norms of many people groups in the US and out of it. Also, it doesn't talk about the damage done during the war, or about changed policies and post war reconstruction.
Purpose: The movie is loosely based on the book I Was an Alien Spouse of Female Military Personnel Enroute to the United States Under Public Law 271 of the Congress. The novel is a biography of a belgian, Captain Henri Rochard, who married an American nurse. It was made to add humor to the experience, and to show the audience the struggle experienced by the couple. It's also poking fun at the strict (and somewhat ridiculous) regulations of the U.S. Army, such as Henri's war bride status restricting him from driving a motor cycle.
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| check out that hair |
Value: This film highlights many topics that were prevalent during the time period. First, it portrays women as part of the war, which was empowering to women by showing it as a norm. Also, it shows many important cultural norms during world war two. It also discusses the condition of female war brides, as when Captain Henri dresses up as a female war bride, he has to live in the same conditions as the other many war brides. it also shines light on gender roles, and portrays the confusion at swapped genders. Additionally, it gives insight to some policies that were used during the war, such as the War Bride Act.
Limitations: The film doesn't really talk about the state of the world post-war, and only highlights a few countries, whose states aren't really shown. Also, it doesn't talk about many concerns that were present after world war II, and fails to go more in depth about the cultural norms of many people groups in the US and out of it. Also, it doesn't talk about the damage done during the war, or about changed policies and post war reconstruction.
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/i_was_a_male_war_bride/
http://movieclassics.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/i-was-a-male-war-bride-1949/
http://www.boostdam.net/stories/Charlier.html
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Film/IWasAMaleWarBride
http://sensesofcinema.com/2001/cteq/bride/
http://seul-le-cinema.blogspot.com/2008/11/1130-i-was-male-war-bride.html
