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.
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.
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 it affects the lives of these young German soldiers.
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 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.
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.
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 been 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.
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. If you're one of those people who always say "the book was better"... you might change your ways when you see this movie.
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 a good film.
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!
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 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
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.
"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 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!
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!
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 ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT,you can't consider this movie as a perfect movie.
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.
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 the 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.
Another black and white classic, however a bit tedious, but it got better as the film went on...acting from all the cast was intense...especially from "Lew Ayres"...not bad to look at either! Also liked the character who played "kat"....he was a riot!
It was done well for it's time. The war scenes are good. One can really appreciate the loss of a soldiers innocence. Does get boring, but worth watching.
MCT:September 26, 2008
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