In this episode, Sean and James explore Jean Renoir’s The Grand Illusion (1937), a World War I masterpiece that examines class, nationalism, and the bonds that form even among enemies. They discuss the film’s unforgettable characters—from working-class Maréchal and aristocratic Boeldieu to the dignified German officer Rauffenstein—and the ways their relationships reveal a fading old order. Finally, they reflect on the film’s themes of humanity, hope, and the futility of war, which still resonate powerfully nearly ninety years after its release.

GW23: The Legacy of the Great War
1:10:27

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
1:10:54

GW22: The Paris Peace Settlement
30:40