All Quiet on the Western Front Reviews and Ratings


  • Yelverton
    November 8, 2009
    Yelverton
    Big anti-war film, but artfully done.
  • jpdd751
    November 4, 2009
    jpdd751
    This movie is without a doubt the greatest war movie ever made in history. It shows the horrors and reality of war. Especially since not a whole lot of WWI is talked about this movie shows how life was for a German soldier. You feel his pain, his life, and especially his death. T...( read more)his movie is a necessity to watch for every war/ action movie lover. The action scenes are beast even though it was made in 1930.
  • gultenreiz
    October 20, 2009
    gultenreiz
    Based on one of my favourite novels, the homonym work by Remarque, this movie was bound to disappoint me in some way.
    It's a good movie, a good adaptation , but while the book had a timless feeling about it, this feels a little obsolete.
    The story is not complicated, a bunch of ...( read more) inexperienced but enthusiastic boys go to war only to find out that life in the trenches in anything but what they had in mind.
    The movie doesn't recapture the complexity of the book, yes, that woud be tricky even today. Also even if Lew Ayres is likeable as Paul Baumer, I don't think he was up to the task of portraying the character.
    The war scenes are good, and as entire piece of cinema the movie still holds strong, just didn't succed in convincing me. The movie suffers more then one occasion because of poor sound and image.
    The last scene, with the butterfly is very beautiful, moving, emblematic.
    "(...) you should take all the kings and their cabinets and their generals, put 'em in the center dressed in their underpants, and let 'em fight it out with clubs. The best country wins (....)"
  • ghettoqueen747
    October 19, 2009
    ghettoqueen747
    read the book in High School would not mind seeing the movie
  • michaelcorleone
    October 13, 2009
    michaelcorleone
    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 ...( read more)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.
  • MagicButterfly
    September 16, 2009
    MagicButterfly
    One of the first war movies ever made, and arguably the best. After almost 80 years, loses none of its punch-- in fact, it's actually odd to watch a movie like this, with its strong anti-war message, knowing it was made 10 years before the most destructive war ever fought. The ...( read more)must surprising thing about this film, to me, is how great the battle sequences still are. Decades ahead of its time.
  • ElCochran90
    September 11, 2009
    ElCochran90
    Review coming someday...

    99/100
  • kcddck
    July 26, 2009
    kcddck
    This is one of the great overall war pictures. It had a little bit of everything from romance, comedy, action and heart breaking moments. Well casted with some great camera shots, I couldn't look away from this as I though that this was a great adaptation to the book.
  • Epicouros
    July 3, 2009
    Epicouros
    having as background a very strong antiwar book the film can touch the quality of book ..it is one of the classic traps when you make a film based in a very good film
    i show some elements , which give the reality of one of the most weird war .
    deep in the ground the soldiers...( read more) , without ideology , just wait there and nothing happens . and of course a guy who wants glory throw all ...
  • Phonex
    June 21, 2009
    Phonex
    All Quiet on the Western Front is the most famous anti-war film ever made. Adapted from Erich Maria Remarque's novel, it focuses on a group of German teenagers who excitedly sign up to fight for their country in World War One after hearing their teacher speak enthusiastically for...( read more) the cause. The boys' enthusiasm however soon vanishes when they come face to face with the reality of warfare. Bombings, gas attacks and hand-to-hand combat destroy any romantic views that might linger in their minds. On the Western front, death is almost obligatory.

    An acknowledged masterwork, this film has over the years retained almost all of its potency. It works particularly well on the human level, transcending cultures and generations with its all-powerful pacifist message. Lewis Milestone's direction is very effective and the photography is simply unforgettable. The battle scenes aregruesomely realistic; nothing is glossed over.

    A profoundly moving picture, All Quiet is required viewing for every single human being, especially those who still cling to the belief: "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori".

    By EUFS
  • theodossian52
    June 20, 2009
    theodossian52
    Terrifying. Especially as compared to the 1979 version with John Boy Walton in it.
  • iamthethinman
    June 7, 2009
    iamthethinman
    I was amazed that this movie was made in 1930 and that it was made in the parks near LA and in Culver City. For a very old movie, there was an authenticity in its locations. Even though the bunker set was really fake, setting it so that you could see everything from the one angle...( read more) worked. The only real flaw was the sometimes ridiculous speech-writing passing as script-writing. The monologue in the crater was a little over the top along with the ridiculous teacher?s speech.

    However, this movie was amazing in its imagery. It made me research it a bit and I guess there were able to get away with wonderful, grisly shots like the hands on wire and calculated stabbings because the code wasn?t in place. This movie was probably one of the reasons for the code. And the long tracking shots over battlefields and more so the tranches from either side ? especially when the camera seems to float right over the trench and the fighting in it, it?s just brilliant and better than a lot of war movies even today. And the final poetic messages and iconic last image, great stuff.
  • myk9019
    April 20, 2009
    myk9019
    Classic! The first all-talking non-musical film to win the Best Picture Oscar.
  • dcrees
    February 19, 2009
    dcrees
    I expected to hate this movie. I expected to be bored. It's over 2 hours long, filmed in 1930, and all about war. I'm not big on any of these things. But this movie was amazing. It kept my attention. And while the acting wasn't exactly top notch, the story telling was super...( read more)b. The stunts were fantastic, and some of the shots were clearly experimental and yet came across so perfect. This is the grandfather of all war movies. This is the war movie that all other war movies should be compared against (and clearly inspired by).
  • DerekA101
    January 19, 2009
    DerekA101
    "We live in the trenches out there. We fight. We try not to be killed, but sometimes we are. That's all."

    Winner of the Best Picture Oscar in 1930, All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the most gritty anti-war films ever made. 79 years later, the impact of thi...( read more)s 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.
  • sanjurosamurai
    November 25, 2008
    sanjurosamurai
    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...( read more) 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.
  • IsaacMahomie
    November 19, 2008
    IsaacMahomie
    very slow. very anti-war. I didn't see the whole thing. Some poor acting and filming, but, that's expected for the time I guess. Some of the psychological effects on the men are very believable, but the actual combat is nowhere near authentic. Regardless, it's a view into wha...( read more)t it's like to live in those trenches.
  • pjupitermoon
    October 2, 2008
    pjupitermoon
    Read the book and saw the movie they both were very intense.
  • Ivan6655321
    September 26, 2008
    Ivan6655321
    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.
  • kurosawian
    September 23, 2008
    kurosawian
    An astonishing silent film that has a strong anti-war message. It's remarkable in that it's told from the German's perspective. Ultimately, each man fights his own war.
  • joeyday
    September 13, 2008
    joeyday
    I'd give this movie best picture all over again if it came out today. Many of the themes in this movie are just as relevant today as they were when the movie came out. Even without the flashy computer graphics, they still managed to capture the essence and horror of war and how i...( read more)t affects the lives of these young German soldiers.
  • catbox9
    August 8, 2008
    catbox9
    My 100th review is a World War 1 film based on the book of the same name. The film follows a young German, Paul Bäumer (Lew Ayres), over the course of the war. While eager to serve his country at first, he quickly realizes that the war is dehumanizing and serves no purpose. While...( read more) the film is somewhat slow to begin, the second half is much better and offers a powerful anti-war message.

    The film stars Lew Ayres and numerous others. As the film follows Ayres' character throughout, the majority of the cast members have small parts. Ayres is rather impressive portraying a typical soldier. Over the course of the film, the audience becomes emotionally attached to his character and is sympathetic towards his plight.

    Although the plot is slow at times and most of the action in the film seems somewhat random, this is still a very good film and powerfully delivers its message. As Variety wrote, "The League of Nations could make no better investment than to buy up the master-print, reproduce it in every language, to be shown in all the nations until the word 'war' is taken out of the dictionaries."

    84/100
    B

    UP NEXT: Alfred Hitchcock's remake of his own film, The Man Who Knew Too Much.
  • extremeatheist1
    August 3, 2008
    extremeatheist1
    The book is one of the greates I've ever read, and the movie does ample justice to eric maria. Probably the greates anti-war movie of all time, it strikes you relentlessly with naked reality, unsheathed by the usual drama associated with war movies.
  • BiologyBabe2012
    July 20, 2008
    BiologyBabe2012
    It's hard to find a war film that isn't filled with propaganda and anti - German comments. But I may have found the love of my life, in terms of WW1 films, that is.

    Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque (which I bought after searching six months, only to find my gran had be...( read more)en in possession of the German copy for thirty years. C'est la vie), it follows a group of young German soldiers as they face the terrors of war and personal loss.

    Naturally, it's black and white, but somehow, it becomes even more gripping through it's lack of colour. There's no need to distract the audience - this is pure, raw emotion and consequences of human action. It's historically accurate without seeming like a history lesson.

    The ending scene may well be the most beautiful shot in cinematic history. Wait for it.
  • lizzardb72688
    July 15, 2008
    lizzardb72688
    This was really gory and intense for 1930. Even though the acting was corny, the film made me flinch when bombs fell from the sky and when soldiers would scream in pain. It didn't even feel like I was watching it for 2 and a half hours just because it was spaced out so well. I...( read more)f you're one of those people who always say "the book was better"... you might change your ways when you see this movie.
  • holmennnguy
    July 11, 2008
    holmennnguy
    This could have been on of my all time favorite movies. The first 30 minutes were fantastic in every way. Then towards the middle it kept going, and not much happened. But then the ending came, and it took me by total surprise and shock. It was such a devastating ending! Overall ...( read more)a good film.
  • megxx14
    July 6, 2008
    megxx14
    a lot of fade -in fade-outs, and they have to watch carefully cuz at the end of the movie, Paul is reaching for the butterfly with his left hand. When he is shot an instant later, it is on a close-up of his outstretched right hand. haha!
  • 339z
    June 9, 2008
    339z
    wow i have not seen this movie since i left school about 6 years ago..i saw this movie in history class about 9 years ago...i thought that this was a really sad story but its the harrowing truth about war...i think that the director of this Drama, Classics movie had done a great ...( read more)job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throughout this movie becuase its really gripping throughout,its got a good cast of characters throughout this movie..this is a good movie 2 watch
  • jeepnixon921
    May 24, 2008
    jeepnixon921
    A Brilliant Classic... Only 12 years after WW1.. this movie is one of the most realistic war movies of all time.
  • JasonDennis91786
    May 23, 2008
    JasonDennis91786
    extremely well-done effects for the time, not as horribly dated as some other cinema from the period. still watchable and powerful today.
  • dtgamerat
    May 8, 2008
    dtgamerat
    Filmed in 1930, this provocative war story is and always will be a classic full of sensation for decades to come.
  • daakmore
    April 28, 2008
    daakmore
    With incredible and harrowing battle scenes and a touching story of the loss that war creates this film probably stands as the best anti-war film made.
  • PvtCaboose91
    April 22, 2008
    PvtCaboose91
    "We live in the trenches out there. We fight. We try not to be killed, but sometimes we are. That's all."

    Brilliant, relentless and heart-wrenching anti-war drama is still as powerful now as it was when released almost 80 year ago.

    All Quiet on the Western Front<...( read more)/i> is a classic war movie that is tragically overlooked due to its age, which is a real shame. The film is set during World War I from the perspective of a number of German teenagers brainwashed into thinking that fighting and dying for the Fatherland is glorious and a high honour.

    Upon reaching the battle-grounds, no-one is ready for what they are exposed to. The whole film mainly follows young German Paul Baumer (Ayres) who lives to see many of his friends meet their untimely demise.

    Told in grainy black and white, the movie feels like old documentary footage rather than a staged movie. It's this effect, coupled with the great performances that make this movie so memorable and classic.

    The powerful anti-war themes underline the true malicious nature of humanity. The film was originally very controversial and was banned in many countries due to the relentless war themes, including some truly spectacular battles. For a 1930s movie, the battles look absolutely fantastic. Sure, modern audiences may be disappointed with the gore aspect but there are plenty of brutal scenes of stabbings, people getting mowed down with machine guns, limbs being blown off and the use of explosives.

    All Quiet on the Western Front is a montage of memorable scenes that are remembered in film history. For those familiar with the movie, each scene is unforgettable and lead up to the final shot of a man reaching for a fatal butterfly.

    Overall, All Quiet on the Western Front is a classic war movie that still delivers a powerful message decades after it was made. The anti-war themes are a prominent feature, and the final shot really hits home. Highly recommended!
  • Julius08
    March 27, 2008
    Julius08
    Just okay, really...
  • gabrielwilding1
    March 25, 2008
    gabrielwilding1
    This is an extraordinary film. One that absolutely everyone has to see! One of the best anti-war films ever made, arguably THE best! Some technically astonishing set-pieces and cinematography makes this totally unmissable!
  • cacutshaw
    February 5, 2008
    cacutshaw
    After reading the fantastic novel I rushed to see this classic adaptation and was not disappointed. A great anti-war film.
  • aghoreishi88
    February 3, 2008
    aghoreishi88
    A good and effective movie about how a war can change the life of a nation(or maybe the whole world).but i prefer it's original book .i think the movie doesen't have the power and effectivity of the book.if you read the book ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT before seeing the movie ...( read more)ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT,you can't consider this movie as a perfect movie.
  • AgentLexi2132
    January 31, 2008
    AgentLexi2132
    I like 2nd world War films...
  • moviecritic202
    January 22, 2008
    moviecritic202
    Great, intense pre-Hayes Code war picture that is brutal at times and still demands attention.
  • ajb1776
    January 19, 2008
    ajb1776
    The power of this film will stand the test of time.
  • Corndog2005
    January 18, 2008
    Corndog2005
    This was a pretty interesting movie except Idsliked the ending. The version I watched had it's only color for the butterfly at the ending. crazy
  • joseramonrocha
    January 2, 2008
    joseramonrocha
    Excelente pelicula que refleja las atrocidades y lo absurdo de la guerra.
  • quoththeravennevermore
    December 29, 2007
    quoththeravennevermore
    Problem with this film: My AP U.S. history class almost died laughing---it's hard to keep a straight face when the actors just dish it out so pathetically. Sorry, we all must sound heartless.
  • Wotanraven
    November 12, 2007
    Wotanraven
    A great movie about the madness of the fratricide 1rst World War seen by young german recruits and the crazyness of trench warfare where armies advance only to retreat the next day loosing thousands of young men for nothing.
    There are some astonishing scenes in this movie like t...( read more)he gripping moment when Paul, the german protagonist, helps the french soldier he wounded in the middle of the battlefield.
    Although its noticeable that this is a 1930s movie, it still appeals to a modern viewer because its in a way very modern. Its a statement against the horrors of war. To think that Hitler took power in germany just a few years after this came out...
    Highly recommended.
  • hugonar
    November 2, 2007
    hugonar
    Classified as a classic = Interested.

Summary

All Quiet on the Western Front Summary