Shakespeare gave us the “star-crossed” lovers, Romeo, and Juliet; Hemingway gave us the “star crossed” lovers, Friedrich and Catherine. Ohh! Do you not recall the second couple? That is OK. You can meet them this Friday, the 10th, in the 1:00 PM movie “a farewell to arms” at the NMSU library. Just what does being “star crossed” mean? Spoiler alert! It describes a relationship doomed to fail due to external forces or fate. A comedy, this movie is not. Will watch characters attracted to each other, flirt, spend time together, develop a physical relationship and become pregnant. But it lacks a “happily ever after” ending. Hint- this tale is set during World War One.
Part 2
Italy and Switzerland are the setting steering the love story that takes place in World War One period Friedrich Henry, a young American soldier, is attached to an ambulance unit on the Italian front. He learns that a group of British nurses have arrived to set up a hospital unit. A friend introduces Friedrich to nurse, Catherine Barkley. Later, between ambulance trips, Friedrich calls on her to visit. After being called back to the front of the war, Friedrich is wounded and sent to Milan. Catherine joins him as his attendant. Their courtship begins and goes on for months. Catherine becomes pregnant. Frederick leaves and returns to the ambulance work period the Italians are being battered by Germans. The former begins their terrible retreat from Caporetto. The army becomes a mob; It is every soldier for himself! They run, hide, and retreat toward a nearby river. If the Italian military police seize the deserters, they execute them. Friedrich escapes by swimming, walking, and jumping aboard a freight train!
During the retreat from Caporetto Friedrich made his “farewell to arms.” As a deserter, he catches up to Catherine in Stressa. They are offered a boat and rode to Switzerland. Upon arriving, they are arrested. However, their passports and ample funds save them. They spend fall and winter living in a small inn. They discuss marriage, hike, read and talk about what they will do together after the war. The baby is about to arrive.
The couple goes to a nearby hospital.
Join moviegoers July 10 at 1:00 PM at the NMSU library to learn the conclusion. It is free to attend thanks to the college.