A Farewell to Arms
Seen it?1932 | 89 min | Drama, Romance, War
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it won 2 Oscars, though it had a box office flop and almost no lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and history buffs. If you loved Atonement or From Here to Eternity, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Intense, warm and romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 29 min.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1932: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
A tale of the World War I love affair, begun in Italy, between American ambulance driver Lt. Frederic Henry and British nurse Catherine Barkley. Eventually separated by Frederic's transfer, tremendous challenges and difficult decisions face each as the war rages on.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesBelow par
6.2 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 2 Oscars: Best Cinematography, Best Sound. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars. Plus 1 other award.
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Frank Borzage
- Helen HayesCatherine Barkley
- Gary CooperLt. Frederic Henry
- Adolphe MenjouMajor Rinaldi
- Mary PhilipsHelen Ferguson
- Jack La RuePriest
- Blanche FridericiHead Nurse
- Mary ForbesMiss Van Campen
- Gilbert EmeryBritish Major
- Henry ArmettaBonello the Ambulance Driver (uncredited)
- Herman BingSwiss Postal Clerk (uncredited)