STIRRING FILM.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20603, 2 May 1935, Page 10

STIRRING FILM.

Plain Record of War and Its Horrors.

More stirring, more awe-inspiring, and more terrifying than anv other war film yet produced, the Fox Film production, “ The First World War,” exceeded the promise of its most enthusiastic advance reports when it -was pre-viewed in Christchurch this morning. The film will be shown to the public at the Grand Theatre for .the first time tomorrow. There is no human story attached to this film. It is a plain record of the horrors of war. denuded as is modern warfare of all gallantry and chivalry. It shows the criminal waste of life caused by the rattling sabres and abortive dreams of the European war lords, and it sends the “ man in the street ” out with the firm determination to avoid at all costs a repetition of that destructive Armageddon. “ The First World War ” was inspired by the sensational book of Laurence Stallings of the same title. Stallings, long known as one of America’s outstanding authorities and commentators on the World War, has edited the film in the same spirit and with the same success that attended his sponsorship of the book. It follows in the steps of the series of pictures run in the “ Daily Express ” in England which caused a furore. The “ elder brethren ” will live again those soulsearing four years, and their juniors will gain some true impression of the tremendous sacrifice made on their behalf.

The film traces the growth of war feeling in Europe during the years preceding the war. It shows the King and the Kaiser in Berlin. The King is wearing the uniform of the German armv and the Kaiser is dressed as a British Staff officer. There are scenes in all the principal capitals in Europe and in practically everv case the pictures are of war preparations. Every Phase Depicted.

From this the scene is changed to the declaration of war, the advance of the “ Old Contemotibles ” to the rescue of France and Belgium. There are scenes depicting every chase of the war on every front. In the trenches, on the sea, in the air and under the sea the struggle raged and the cameramen recorded advance and retreat, victory and defeat, and the endless, needless slaughter. Attended bv Laurence Stalling’s biting and ironic comments its sequences picture the war step by step from its inception to its conclusion. It is the most potent plea for peace ever presented. This film has been fearlessly edited and produced. It is made up of actual pictures taken during the war years and never before revealed to the public. It is alive and holds the interest as no ordinary picture could hold it. It reveals warfare as the twentieth century has interpreted man’s most primitive instinct.

The film ends with the Armistice. From the front lines rush the enemies of a few minutes ago. Standing arm-in-arm, a Tommy and a German soldier exchange caps. Then comes the voice of the commentator. . . “ And now there is another generation. . .” Across the screen flashes a kaleidoscope of scenes from the Europe of to-dav. Hitler. Mussolini, generals and politicians, all haranguing their respective peoples. As a background is all the machinery of war. Marching troops, aeroplanes, tartks, battle fleets engaged in manoeuvres, target practice with heavy guns . . . war . . . war . . . war. And one remembers the words of the commentator, “ There is another generation.”