Today We Live (1933) in Color — Starring Joan Crawford & Gary Cooper

Plot Summary

Diana Boyce-Smith is a young Englishwoman living on her family’s country estate when the Great War begins to consume the lives of everyone around her. Her beloved brother Ronnie and his close friend Claude join the Royal Navy, while Diana finds herself drawn to Richard Doddington Doddmore Bogard, a handsome and idealistic American who has come to England to volunteer as a fighter pilot with the Royal Air Force.

A passionate romance develops between Diana and Bogard, offering both of them a brief respite from the gathering horror of war. However, when Diana receives a false report that Bogard has been killed in action, she turns to Claude for comfort, and their shared grief gradually deepens into a romantic relationship. By the time Diana learns that Bogard is actually alive, she has committed herself to Claude, creating an agonising emotional triangle among three people who are all deeply honourable.

The three men—Bogard in the air, and Ronnie and Claude at sea—each face the constant threat of death in the most dangerous theatres of the war. Their shared devotion to Diana and to each other creates a complex web of loyalty, jealousy, and selfless love that is tested repeatedly by the brutal realities of combat. Each man must grapple with the question of whether personal happiness can be pursued when duty and honour demand sacrifice.

The film builds to a devastating climax in which the intertwined fates of all four characters converge in a sequence of extraordinary emotional power. The resolution demands the ultimate sacrifice, delivered with a devastating restraint that makes its impact all the more profound, creating one of the most emotionally powerful finales of 1930s cinema.

Cast & Crew

Director: Howard Hawks

Stars: Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Robert Young, Franchot Tone, Roscoe Karns, Louise Closser Hale

Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper generate remarkable chemistry in their only screen pairing, while Franchot Tone delivers a deeply moving performance as the honourable rival for Diana’s affections. Director Howard Hawks brings his characteristic efficiency and emotional truthfulness to the combat sequences and romantic drama alike.

Why Buy This Classic in Color?

The colorization of Today We Live dramatically enhances the visual contrast between the pastoral beauty of the English countryside and the hellish devastation of the battlefield, creating an emotional visual journey that mirrors the characters’ transition from peaceful innocence to wartime sacrifice. Now also available in colour. The colourful presentation of the aerial combat and naval sequences brings new dramatic power to these action scenes, while the romantic interludes glow with warmth and tenderness. Buy Today We Live (1933) Colorized – €15.00

Historical Significance

Today We Live represents the only screen pairing of Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper, two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, making it an essential viewing experience for fans of Golden Age cinema. Directed by Howard Hawks and based on a story by William Faulkner, the film combines literary ambition with Hollywood spectacle in a way that was unusually sophisticated for its time. Through colorization, this important and emotionally powerful war romance has been preserved for modern audiences who can now experience its remarkable performances and epic scope in a vivid new presentation.

Technical Details

• Format: MP4 digital download
• Resolution: HD 720p
• Colorized: Yes — AI-assisted colorization
• Audio: English mono soundtrack
• Runtime: Approximately 113 minutes
• DRM-free: Yes — play on any device
• Instant download: Yes
• Price: €15.00

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Movie-Specific Questions

Q: Is this really the only film Joan Crawford and Gary Cooper made together?
A: Yes, this is their sole screen pairing, making it an essential viewing experience for fans of either star and a unique chapter in Hollywood history.

Q: Did William Faulkner really write this film?
A: Yes, the story and screenplay were written by William Faulkner, giving the film a literary depth and emotional complexity that distinguishes it from typical war romances of the period.

Q: Are the aerial combat scenes impressive?
A: Yes, director Howard Hawks, himself a former pilot, brings authenticity and dramatic excitement to the aerial sequences that remain thrilling to watch today.

Digital Download Questions

Q: What format is the download?
A: The film is delivered as a high-quality MP4 file that plays on virtually any modern device including computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs.

Q: Is there DRM protection on the file?
A: No, the download is completely DRM-free, meaning you own the file outright and can watch it on any device without restrictions or internet requirements.

Q: How quickly can I watch after purchase?
A: The download is available instantly after payment is confirmed, allowing you to start watching within minutes of your purchase.

Related Colorized Classics

• They Were Expendable (1945)
• I Take This Woman (1940)
• Walk on the Wild Side (1962)
• City Streets (1938)
• The Long Voyage Home (1940)