All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Phil H

  
  Based on a novel and probably one of the most realistic war films I have ever seen, WW1 is the setting for this unusual look at life for German troops at the front line. Unusual because its a 30's American film focusing on German soldiers and not the more obvious Allies of… More
  Based on a novel and probably one of the most realistic war films I have ever seen, WW1 is the setting for this unusual look at life for German troops at the front line. Unusual because its a 30's American film focusing on German soldiers and not the more obvious Allies of Britain, France and Russia. Starting off much like 'Full Metal Jacket' the film covers a group/class of young German lads ready to join the ranks and fight for their country. From here on we follow them through harsh training and into battle where they very quickly realise the horrors of war, one by one they are killed off as the film becomes more and more tragic, and all this in a 1930's film! The first thing that must hit you is the amazing look and work put into the film, its incredible! the realism of the trenches, war torn nomansland, the uniforms for both sides and the brilliant special effects, mainly revolving around some pretty big explosions near actors, are all superbly created. By today's standards everything still looks good whilst the black and white only helps the film look more realistic. The film could easily be the 'Saving Private Ryan' of its day, its almost as good as real footage. Of course the actors are of a different age so one can expect performances without the type of 'grit' that we are used to today. Some scenes are almost slightly pantomime with some slightly funny moments of comedy and slapstick which lighten the mood (mainly at the start before the characters enter the war) but we all know moments like this add to the charm of old films. Make no mistake though this film is a history lesson and seeing as it was made about 12years after WW1 actually ended its amazing people watched, especially as it followed the Central Powers. Being so close to the war is obviously why its so accurate, the harrowing sequences of men being mown down by machine gun fire, one after another without a chance, the screams of the young troops as they go crazy from the constant shelling, the mud, barren landscapes, bodies, barbwire and of course the famous bleak depressing ending for the main lead, nailing home how cheap life was. I think the main point in the film is how the main lead 'Paul Bäumer' starts off, like his friends, as a patriot young German wanting to go off and fight for his country, pushed onwards and practically lied to by his school teacher 'Professor Kantorek' into 'doing whats right', to 'save the Fatherland'. 'Bäumer' then returns to his home town towards the end of the film only to find his school teacher spouting the same nonsense to more young boys, trying to get them to recruit, he is invited in to speak of the glory of war but instead rages how its all lies and there is nothing but misery and death for all who join up. He is shunned by his old teacher and branded a coward by the young boys, so he returns to the front line. Not long after this the film ends with his pointless needless death.

• Brad W

  
  All Quiet on the Western Front is probably the most truthful and one of the best war films of all time, and a true tear jerker.

• Chris W

  
  Not only is this a great adaptation of a wonderful book, but it holds up as just a great film in its own right. I don't know what other films were nominated, but I can see why this won Best Picture way back in the day. It's a very powerful and haunting anti-war film that… More
  Not only is this a great adaptation of a wonderful book, but it holds up as just a great film in its own right. I don't know what other films were nominated, but I can see why this won Best Picture way back in the day. It's a very powerful and haunting anti-war film that looks at World War I through the eyes of an (at first) idealistic young German student. This film is over 80 years old, but it holds up remarkably well, Not only is the message timeless, but, aside from the quality of the print, this could pass for something far younger than what it is. The battle scenes are well staged (complete with some speeding up to give them a disorienting, chaotic quality), and the black and white cinematography really adds to the starkness and devastation that comes hand in hand with war. The performances are pretty good, and desite having to tone down the content, there's still several very unforgettable sequences and images, and the film still manages to get its point across and be very unsettling at times. You should really give this film a watch. It's a fine adaptation, and just excellent filmmaking in general. It is old, but it's still relevant and is one of the finest war-related films to ever be released.

• Jameson W

  
  Released in 1930, this classic war piece slightly let me down. This is a very good movie, no doubt. The visual effects and battle sequences were fantastic, especially for a film that is over 80 years old. The visuals were even better than another great WW1 classic, Wings, which also… More
  Released in 1930, this classic war piece slightly let me down. This is a very good movie, no doubt. The visual effects and battle sequences were fantastic, especially for a film that is over 80 years old. The visuals were even better than another great WW1 classic, Wings, which also blew me away. This film was completely ahead of its time. Also, the message is very powerful. This is one of the absolute best anti-war films around, even in its old age. But, the acting and script were not good. I get that the thirties were an akward time for film and all, with the introduction of the "talkie," but at times this film was silly, even when it wasn't meant to be. If someone is launching bombs at you, please to not shout "Oh, Golly!" The acting just wasn't that great either. However, this is a CLASSIC film that I recommend to everyone! This Best Picture winner is a must see!

• Ken S

  
  Way way way way ahead of it's time. There are several moments in this movie when you can hardly believe it was filmed in 1930.

• jay n

  
  Still strong indictment on the futility of war. Easy to see how this won Best Picture, fine directtion an involving story and at the core a wonderful performance by Lew Ayres. Very sad but worthwhile.

• Derek A

  
  <i>"We live in the trenches out there. We fight. We try not to be killed, but sometimes we are. That's all."</i> Winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 1930, <i>All Quiet on the Western Front</i> is one of the most gritty anti-war films ever made.… More
  <i>"We live in the trenches out there. We fight. We try not to be killed, but sometimes we are. That's all."</i> Winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 1930, <i>All Quiet on the Western Front</i> is one of the most gritty anti-war films ever made. 79 years later, the impact of this film is still relevant today. Very few films capture the heart-wrenching reality of the effects of war on soldiers as this dated gem. This film perfectly illustrates the innocence that is lost in a pointless war. Not enough can be said about the cinematography of this film. It was absolutely brilliant for it's time. There were moments that I felt like I was watching a modern film. The war scenes were amazingly shot for 1930. Gripping and real... The acting was a bit exaggerated and the editing was very choppy. It was also a bit longer than it needed to be. This film was on the original AFI top 100 list, and deservingly so. It will often be overlooked because of it's age, but this is truly one of the greatest classic war films with a tragically beautiful conclusion.

• danny d

  
  absolutely chilling. one of the greatest war masterpieces of all time. this is the film that did the most for getting me to hate war. while i understand war and feel that it is sometimes necessary to use force to fight evil that rejects the use of reason, i still hate war, and this… More
  absolutely chilling. one of the greatest war masterpieces of all time. this is the film that did the most for getting me to hate war. while i understand war and feel that it is sometimes necessary to use force to fight evil that rejects the use of reason, i still hate war, and this is the most moving anti-war film ever made. nearly 80 years since its release it holds up incredibly well. the acting is a little weak at points, but the war scenes are haunting and the psychological effect of war on those that participate in it is presented powerfully. one of the great films of all time.

• Pierluigi P

  
  A cinematic milestone that evokes the horrors of the war, an ill-fated moment that stays for a lifetime.

• Bradley W

  
  All Quiet on the Western Front is probably the most truthful and one of the best war films of all time, and a true tear jerker.

• Dillon L

  
  I guess this must've been the Platoon or Saving Private Ryan of it's time. Well choreographed action, and a few very memorable scenes. Lew Ayres is also good.

• Matthew Y

  
  The rare film based on a classic book that itself is a classic. Probably the first great talkie and the first great film to win best picture at the academy awards, it was a groundbreaking anti-war novel in it's day and a daring film. A German perspective of WWI where the… More
  The rare film based on a classic book that itself is a classic. Probably the first great talkie and the first great film to win best picture at the academy awards, it was a groundbreaking anti-war novel in it's day and a daring film. A German perspective of WWI where the conclusion that "war is hell" and honor simply a form of propaganda and control was years ahead of it's time. It wasn't till almost 40 years later after Vietnam that the American public realized these simple truths. Even beyond it's resounding themes the film is masterfully constructed and fantastically shot. War films do not get more daring or hallowing than this one.

• Bryce I

  
  One of the greatest, and best executed anti war films of all time. While the dialogue and acting are quite horrific even for an early talkies film (aside from Lew Ayres remarkable performance), the film itself is gruesome, haunting, powerful, and way ahead of it's time. Along… More
  One of the greatest, and best executed anti war films of all time. While the dialogue and acting are quite horrific even for an early talkies film (aside from Lew Ayres remarkable performance), the film itself is gruesome, haunting, powerful, and way ahead of it's time. Along with brilliant direction, and an unforgettable plot, this movie deserves it's reputation of a landmark, and a classic.

• Cameron J

  
  When I saw the TV adaptation, I thought "This is a fantastic, original and moving story, but if it wasn't so dull like it is in this version, it could have been a sensational cinematic work of art." Now, we get to the true, widely acclaimed classic version and though it… More
  When I saw the TV adaptation, I thought "This is a fantastic, original and moving story, but if it wasn't so dull like it is in this version, it could have been a sensational cinematic work of art." Now, we get to the true, widely acclaimed classic version and though it works out most of the kinks when it come to pacing, the emotional resonanse is a little bit fuzzier. Of course, that doesn't mean that the film is completely stripped of compelliness, as it still boasts some sharp emotional impact. Still, before we get to that, let's discuss the flaws behind the film. These flaws include a lack of development, slow spots, some poorly-aged performances and a bit too much pace-slowing at points. Still, through all of its flaws, the story is very original and moving and if they had worked on the emotional resonanse and some other elements, they could have made it a magnificent tale. Still, as it stands, the film is quite compelling, being carried by Lewis Milestone's direction and a deal of strong acting spots that have stood the test of time. Other strengths include very good production designs, solid effects and great war sequences. As for the film's anti-war message, it's not preachy, but still notable enough to be effective. This film emphasizes the harshness of the battlefield and even though the Wartime struggles have certainly been smoothed down significantly over these almost 100 years, the message still holds up and has you feeling for those who have fought and wondering about those who are fighting now. Ultimately, though it may not hit home as hard as the still inferior second adaptation, Lewis Milestone's classic "All Quiet on the Western Front" is a mostly well-crafted mini-epic, as well as a moving portrait on the struggles of those who risked their lives on the battlefield. Real quick, why does no one try to do a German accent? ...I don't have a punchline, I'm just asking.

• Mike T

  
  As an anti-war statement, this film still has a lot of impact. Few movie buffs will argue against the power of the final scene. I think the picture would have been even more effective if a prominent lead character was followed through the story, but its study of a large group of… More
  As an anti-war statement, this film still has a lot of impact. Few movie buffs will argue against the power of the final scene. I think the picture would have been even more effective if a prominent lead character was followed through the story, but its study of a large group of people works interestingly enough. Director Lewis Milestone does amazing things with the battle sequences, utilizing sound in its earliest stages and employing some brilliant camera work.

• Doctor S

  
  80 years old and still one of the best (anti-)war films ever made. Haunting, poignant, and memorable - you'll never forget the lifespan of a pair of boots or the final shot.

• Lauren D

  
  I kind of liked that it was fairly graphic for it's day, but other than that I just found it boring. I do have a hard time watching older movies because the dialogue just sounds so fake. I also couldn't tell the difference between anyone and so I didn't know what was… More
  I kind of liked that it was fairly graphic for it's day, but other than that I just found it boring. I do have a hard time watching older movies because the dialogue just sounds so fake. I also couldn't tell the difference between anyone and so I didn't know what was going on. And it was boring.

• Simeon D

  
  Toss aside Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, and Letters From Iwo Jima! Lewis Milestone's rusty, unpolished direction make this WWI war epic an emotional drive through the lives and deaths of youth in war. 99/100

• Lord N

  
  one of the two greatest war films i have ever seen (the other one being Saving Private Ryan). this film brilliantly captures the difference between what the war was like at home to the people not fighting it and the brutality of the trenches. it was surprisingly brutal for 1930. This… More
  one of the two greatest war films i have ever seen (the other one being Saving Private Ryan). this film brilliantly captures the difference between what the war was like at home to the people not fighting it and the brutality of the trenches. it was surprisingly brutal for 1930. This film deserved to win best picture. one of the greats. it is destined to remain a classic. i particularly enjoy the opening when their professor is giving them the Fight For Germany pep talk and how the naive young boys join up for glory then get slapped in the face by the brutal war that picks them off one at a time until the last trace of their innocence dies with their fallen friends. One part I particularly liked is when Paul returns home from the war and he sees what people in Germany think of the war and how they put him down when he tries to tell them how it really is. also, the scene where he goes in the classroom that he was inspired to go to war in, and he sees how young the boys are that are being encouraged to fight. his professor proudly encourages him to tell the class of the glory of the war and he tells them how the war is and he is called a coward. It was a brutal look at the horrors of WWI and it was done perfectly. Final Verdict: right on. TRIVIA TIME: 1.To ensure authenticity, director Lewis Milestone instructed the studio to try to find out if there were any German Army veterans living in the Los Angeles area, so he could have them authenticate German uniforms, equipment, etc. So many of them were found that Milestone cast a lot of them as German officers in the film, and had them drill the extras playing German troops. (The scene where they are laying communication wire in the forward trenches was led by a former German soldier whose job during the war was to do exactly that.) 2.With the loss of limbs and gory deaths shown rather explicitly, this is undoubtedly the most violent American film of its time. This is because the Production Code was not strictly enforced until 1934, and also because Universal Pictures deemed the subject matter important enough to allow the violence to be seen. TRIvIA TIME:

• Ivan D

  
  The film was released in 1930, but its everlasting anti-war message endures the test of time and is still relevant today. The concluding shot will surely make you cry.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings