All Quiet on the Western Front
(B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
1930's 'All Quiet on the Western Front' (directed by Lewis Milestone) is one of the definitive WWI movies of all-time; noth then, and even now 90+ years later. The Great War was the subject of mannnny films produced btwn. WWI AND WWII and, most of which - just like this one - were epic endeavors. Based on Erich Maria Remarque's pacifist novel, this anti-war, gruesome drama chronicles a group of young Germans who are convinced to enlist in 1914 after their Professor gives them a stereotypical impassioned speech about 'dying for your country'.
One of the students, fresh-faced, patriotic Paul Baumer (Lew Ayres, who became a conscientious objector/medic in WWII), is sent to the 'Western Front' to fight France for the Kaiser. His idea about war being all glory are all-too-soon ended when facing utter leadership chaos, unsanitary conditions, food shortage, & grisly combat. He attaches himself to kindly veteran soldier, 'Kat' (Louis Wolheim). But eventually, the disillusioned {and injured} Paul ends up being the sole survivor of his group of buddies; returning home to actually denounce the war, his drill master, as well as his professor - who is still urging the youth to enlist.
Feeling disconnected with the life he once led, Paul is even called-out by those students as a coward. In a late scene, after finding that his life is ruined, Paul returns to battle {"home"}, stretches out over the top of a trench to catch a butterfly ... and dies by way of an enemy sniper. The German High Command coincidingly orders "... all quiet on the Western Front". In the final spooky scene, ghost-like soldiers are seen marching toward a cemetery while looking backwards. Powerful stuff.
Despite its fairly simplistic message of 'the brutal, bloody pointlessness of trench warfare' ... this film is thoroughly gripping & highly impressive in its anti-war stance. Those morbid scenes in the muddy trenches, the constant gunfire, & the unforgettable sight of an enemy French soldier struggling over a barbed wire fence and, in the next moment, is hit by a grenade ... is just amazing to behold {seeing his amputated hands left clinging to the fence is a wow}. The budget of this film enormous at the time and, you can see the $$ up on the screen; impeccable - for the time! – camera work, sets & effects.
Hundreds of extras littered the battlefield scenes -- said battle scenes were uncommonly graphic for that era, with Steven Spielberg stating that this film influenced the iconic beginning of his Saving Private Ryan. Another interesting note, though sympathetic to young German soldiers, this movie proved very popular with American audiences; providing the universal theme that the glory of war was a bunch of bull snit. The film made Lewis Ayres a star; as should be. And Louis Wolheim shines is an even showier role. The fact that 'All Quiet on the Western Front' stands up so very well today is a testimony to the story, and the filmmakers involved.
One of the students, fresh-faced, patriotic Paul Baumer (Lew Ayres, who became a conscientious objector/medic in WWII), is sent to the 'Western Front' to fight France for the Kaiser. His idea about war being all glory are all-too-soon ended when facing utter leadership chaos, unsanitary conditions, food shortage, & grisly combat. He attaches himself to kindly veteran soldier, 'Kat' (Louis Wolheim). But eventually, the disillusioned {and injured} Paul ends up being the sole survivor of his group of buddies; returning home to actually denounce the war, his drill master, as well as his professor - who is still urging the youth to enlist.
Feeling disconnected with the life he once led, Paul is even called-out by those students as a coward. In a late scene, after finding that his life is ruined, Paul returns to battle {"home"}, stretches out over the top of a trench to catch a butterfly ... and dies by way of an enemy sniper. The German High Command coincidingly orders "... all quiet on the Western Front". In the final spooky scene, ghost-like soldiers are seen marching toward a cemetery while looking backwards. Powerful stuff.
Despite its fairly simplistic message of 'the brutal, bloody pointlessness of trench warfare' ... this film is thoroughly gripping & highly impressive in its anti-war stance. Those morbid scenes in the muddy trenches, the constant gunfire, & the unforgettable sight of an enemy French soldier struggling over a barbed wire fence and, in the next moment, is hit by a grenade ... is just amazing to behold {seeing his amputated hands left clinging to the fence is a wow}. The budget of this film enormous at the time and, you can see the $$ up on the screen; impeccable - for the time! – camera work, sets & effects.
Hundreds of extras littered the battlefield scenes -- said battle scenes were uncommonly graphic for that era, with Steven Spielberg stating that this film influenced the iconic beginning of his Saving Private Ryan. Another interesting note, though sympathetic to young German soldiers, this movie proved very popular with American audiences; providing the universal theme that the glory of war was a bunch of bull snit. The film made Lewis Ayres a star; as should be. And Louis Wolheim shines is an even showier role. The fact that 'All Quiet on the Western Front' stands up so very well today is a testimony to the story, and the filmmakers involved.