The Big Parade

Plot

James Apperson, the idle son of a wealthy businessman, impulsively enlists in the U.S. Army's Rainbow Division during World War I to impress a girl, leaving behind his comfortable life. During training in France, he befriends two working-class soldiers, the optimistic Slim and the gruff Bull, forming an unlikely bond across class lines. James falls deeply in love with Melisande, a French peasant girl, after she mends his uniform, and their tender romance blossoms amidst the impending horrors of war. The friends experience the brutal reality of trench warfare, witnessing death and destruction that transforms them from naive boys into hardened soldiers. After being wounded and losing his leg in battle, James returns home a changed man, ultimately finding Melisande waiting for him in their symbolic meeting place, offering hope amid the devastation of war.

Historical Background

The Big Parade was produced only seven years after the end of World War I, at a time when America was still processing the trauma and consequences of the conflict. The mid-1920s saw a wave of war films, but most glorified combat or focused on adventure. Vidor's approach was revolutionary in its depiction of war's human cost and psychological impact. The film reflected America's complex relationship with the war - pride in victory mixed with mourning for the lost generation. It was made during the peak of silent cinema's artistic achievement and MGM's rise as a major studio. The film's release coincided with a period of economic prosperity in America (the Roaring Twenties), which may have contributed to audiences' willingness to confront difficult subject matter. The film also captured the class tensions of the era, with its emphasis on friendship across social divisions.

Making Of

King Vidor fought hard to get this film made, as MGM executives were hesitant about producing a war film so soon after World War I. He convinced them by emphasizing the human story rather than focusing solely on combat. The production employed thousands of extras and used real military equipment loaned by the U.S. Army. For the battle sequences, Vidor insisted on authenticity, having the actors actually crawl through mud and live in rough conditions. John Gilbert and Renée Adorée began a real-life romance during filming, though their relationship was complicated by Gilbert's marriage at the time. The film's most famous scene, where Gilbert carries Adorée through a wheat field, was reportedly shot in one take and became one of the most iconic images of silent cinema. Vidor used innovative camera techniques, including tracking shots that followed the marching soldiers, creating a sense of immersion that was revolutionary for its time.

Visual Style

The cinematography, by John Arnold and Ira H. Morgan, was groundbreaking for its time, particularly in the battle sequences. The film employed innovative camera movements, including tracking shots that followed soldiers through trenches and across battlefields, creating an unprecedented sense of immersion. The contrast between the bright, romantic scenes in the French countryside and the dark, muddy trenches was achieved through careful lighting and location choices. The famous marching sequence used long takes to emphasize the endless nature of the soldiers' journey. The cinematography also captured intimate moments with equal skill, using close-ups effectively to convey the emotional states of the characters. The film's visual style influenced how war would be depicted in cinema for decades, establishing techniques that would become standard in the genre.

Innovations

The Big Parade featured several technical innovations that influenced future filmmaking. The battle sequences employed pioneering techniques for staging large-scale action, using hundreds of extras and carefully choreographed explosions to create realistic combat scenes. The film's use of location shooting and detailed set construction created an unprecedented sense of authenticity. King Vidor employed innovative camera movements, including tracking shots that followed soldiers through trenches, creating a more immersive experience for audiences. The film's editing, particularly in the battle sequences, used rapid cutting to convey the chaos of combat while maintaining narrative clarity. The production also developed new techniques for creating realistic mud and battlefield conditions on set. These technical achievements helped establish new standards for war films and demonstrated the potential of cinema to depict complex historical events with realism and emotional impact.

Music

As a silent film, The Big Parade originally featured live musical accompaniment that varied by theater. The score typically combined popular songs of the era with classical pieces adapted to fit the mood of each scene. The most famous musical element was the use of 'Charmaine' (a popular song from 1926) which became associated with the film in later reissues. In 1988, composer Carl Davis created a new orchestral score for the film's restoration, which has become the standard version for modern screenings. The original theater organ scores emphasized the emotional contrasts in the film, using romantic melodies for the love scenes and dissonant, dramatic music for the battle sequences. The music played a crucial role in conveying the film's emotional arc, particularly in scenes without intertitles.

Memorable Scenes

• The wheat field scene where James carries Melisande through the tall grass, one of the most iconic images of silent cinema
• The marching sequence showing soldiers trudging endlessly through mud and rain
• The farewell scene at the railroad station as the soldiers leave for the front
• The chaotic battle sequence in the trenches, showing the brutal reality of combat
• The reunion scene where James, now an amputee, finds Melisande waiting for him
• The training camp sequence showing the bonding between James, Slim, and Bull
• The scene where Melisande mends James's uniform, the beginning of their romance

What Critics Said

Contemporary critics praised The Big Parade for its realism, emotional depth, and technical achievement. The New York Times called it 'a masterpiece of screen artistry' and 'the most powerful war film ever made.' Critics particularly praised King Vidor's direction and John Gilbert's performance, noting how the film balanced spectacle with intimate human drama. Modern critics continue to regard it as a landmark of silent cinema, with many considering it Vidor's masterpiece. The film holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on critical reviews. Film historians often cite it as one of the greatest American films ever made, praising its influence on the war genre and its innovative visual storytelling. The film's emotional power and technical brilliance have allowed it to transcend the limitations of silent cinema for modern audiences.

What Audiences Thought

The Big Parade was a phenomenal commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1925 and one of the most profitable silent films in Hollywood history. Audiences were deeply moved by its realistic portrayal of war and its emotional love story. The film's success was particularly notable given its serious subject matter and lengthy runtime (151 minutes). Many veterans attended screenings and reported that the film accurately captured their experiences, though some found the battle scenes too intense. The film's popularity extended beyond the United States, achieving international success despite its American perspective. The chemistry between John Gilbert and Renée Adorée captivated audiences, making them one of the most popular on-screen couples of the silent era. The film's box office performance helped establish MGM as a major studio and demonstrated that serious, artistically ambitious films could be commercially successful.

You Might Also Like