- Actors: Albert Préjean, Jeanne Marie-Laurent, Suzanne Bianchetti, Hans Brausewetter, Thomy Bourdelle
- Directors: Léon Poirier
- Producers: visions d'histoire Verdun
- Format: Import, PAL, Subtitled
- Subtitles: English
- Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
- Number of discs: 1
- Classification: 15
- Run Time: 90.00 minutes
- ASIN: B001W008EA
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 55,146 in Film & TV (See Top 100 in Film & TV)
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France released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: LANGUAGES: French ( Mono ), English ( Subtitles ), SPECIAL FEATURES: Commentary, Interactive Menu, Scene Access, Trailer(s), SYNOPSIS: Verdun, visions d'histoire is markedly different from previous artistic endeavours made in France on the subject of WWI. For one thing, it doesn't attempt to apportion blame for what happened, nor does it demonise the German people. Instead, what it delivers is an authentic reconstruction of the battle of Verdun, showing the obscene folly of war without over-dramatising it, to provide a stark plea to future generations never to go down the same path again. What is most striking about the film is its trenchant realism, which is achieved principally by use of exterior locations that were the sites where much of the fighting took place in 1916 - sites that still bore the heavy scars of conflict. Most of the cast was made up of ex-service men who had served in WWI, including the actor Albert Préjean, who would have a huge career in France after the war. So convincing are the battle scenes that they are often inserted into other films and documentaries as if they were stock shots taken from the real battle. There is also a poetic dimension to this film, with the harsh realism periodically undercut by some surprising expressionistic touches that bring in elements of subjectivity. These are achieved through some effective use of superposition which illustrate what the protagonists are imagining and feeling as the world around them is transformed into an incomprehensible nightmare. The most memorable of these is the highly poignant scene where a wounded soldier on the battlefield imagines the spirits of his fallen comrades being taken to Heaven on a stretcher by the ghosts of their mothers. Then, later, we see the ghosts of the dead soldiers reclaiming a fort which they had earlier tried in vain to defend against a Germa...Verdun, visions d'histoire
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Verdun, visions d'histoire
16 Nov 2010
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Given that World War One ended in 1918 and this film was made in 1928 is a remarkable by itself. I have studied the World War one era most of my life and no other film ever made, not past nor present better tells the story of the futile battle of Verdun. Forget the stories of glory and courage that have been told by John Wayne. This version of history is probably more accurate than any other. With out words being spoken, (don't forget 1928 was still the silent era of films), this correctly shows the frustration between the troops in the trenches and military leaders behind the lines on both sides of the conflict. This film clearly shows the disconnect between the military generals who live a plush almost royal lifestyle, while giving orders for hundreds of thousands of troops to move forward to a certain death. As the film moves along the mood of the soldiers changes, but not the generals who are all so certain that if the troops just push a little bit harder they can bring victory at Verdun. As the battle rages on you begin to see the new technologies of war being used, such as poisonous gas. As hundreds of thousands die in the muddy, trenches the home front begins to feel the pain as the dead pile up. One of the most moving scenes in the movie was seeing the ghosts of Verdun emerge. Using at that time special effects, the film director was able to show the ghosts rise up and then fade away. A must see movie for anyone who is into the period of World War One. Using both real film footage from the actual battles and staged ones, this film brings home the impact of the war like no other film.
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