Question 1

Why did the film cause a veteran to take his own life in 1962?

Accepted Answer

According to historian Georges Sadoul, the film's powerful memory of WWI disturbed an original combatant so much that he took his own life after seeing it on French TV in 1962.

Question 2

Which Criterion collection includes Wooden Crosses?

Accepted Answer

The film is included in 'Eclipse Series 4: Raymond Bernard', released by Criterion.

Question 3

How does the film critique war profiteering in its final scene?

Accepted Answer

In his deathbed hallucination, Gilbert sees coins falling (representing profiteering) that change into laurel wreaths (symbolizing death and resurrection), contrasting money earned from war with its cost.

Question 4

What swindle occurred during the hiring of extras for the wooden crosses scene?

Accepted Answer

Assistant Gilles Grangier reported that the production paid for 250 extras but only actually paid for the sequence, with the payroll difference disappearing.

Question 5

Which actors in the film had real WWI trench experience?

Accepted Answer

Blanchard, Aimos, and Vanel had been soldiers in WWI, so they had real experience of trench conditions.

Wooden Crosses

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