No Greater Glory [USA] [DVD] (1934)

Two-time Academy Award® winning director Frank Borzage (1927, Best Director, 7th Heaven) directed this astounding drama, which must be ranked among the greatest of all anti-war allegories. Adapted by Jo Swerling (Capra's The Miracle Woman) from Ferenc Molnar's famed novel The Paul Street Boys, it centers on a group of small kids who literally go to war against a gang of older boys over who has the "right" to play in an abandoned lumber yard. Photographed by Joseph August (Oscar® nominated for 1948, Best Cinematography, Portrait of Jennie), whose rich, gorgeous images serve to contrast idyllic beauty against the boys' single-minded purpose. The mostly youthful cast is headed by George Breakston, Jackie Searl and the great Frankie Darro (Wild Boys of the Road), with Ralph Morgan, Samuel Hinds and Lois Wilson among the briefly-seen adults. Newly remastered.