All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

An Historical Icon

This is a 1930 film production, faithfully based on Eric Marie Remarque's WWI novel by the same title. Considering the infancy of talkie film making when this was created, it is an absolutely remarkable piece. Many of the battle scene techniques have been recycled to this day.

I read the novel 3 or 4 years ago, and had forgotten that it was told from the German viewpoint (such is the universality of the war experience). The story is critical of war - though I personally believe that at times it becomes a necessity, when greedy/evil people want to force their will onto other nations. Still, the film powerfully makes the point regarding comfortable old men fighting armchair battles, while teenagers die in the mud. The WWI trench warfare battlefields were a particularly grim environment. I thought this was one area in which the movie, though making a gallant effort, could not convey the reality as well as the book does.

Filmed only a decade after WWI, this movie has huge historical value. Aside from the moral implications, it is a rare glimpse into the homes, hospitals, streets, and battlefields of almost a century ago.

A very important historical piece that is worth the time. June 28, 2008

All Quiet Screams loudly the devestation of War

All Quiet on the Western Front is a masterpiece of cinema. The movie released in 1930 is I think is the greatest movie made in a generation of movies that were making the transition from silent to talkies.

Several things make this a movie not to be missed.

1. The movie deals with WWI, and not to many movies portray this epic war, and those that do all fall behind this one.

2. The movie, like the book, show the war from a German point-of-view, which doesn't happen very often. Typically the victors of the wars write the history, but here we see that the "other side" struggled with some of the same issues as we did.

3. The acting is great, The men in the platoon with Lew Ayers are exceptional and you really see the fear and terror of war in their eyes.

4. The overall message. Many people define this movie as anti-war and to a large degree it is, but it's more than just anti-war, I think it's a lot like the M*A*S*H series on TV, it's not just anti-war, but a realistic portrayal of war with all the romanticism gone.

This movie is not just a movie to watch once, but one to watch over and over. For the avid movie collector this is a MUST!!

The special features are also cool, with Robert Osborne introducing the movie. June 28, 2008

All Quiet On the Western Front: A Must See For Those Who Hate War-time Propaganda

The 1930 movie All Quiet on the Western Front staring Lew Ayres as Paul Baumer gives an accurate picture of the tragic loss of World War I. Eric Maria Remarque's classic anti-war novel and the motion-picture that followed relates the story of young men who were manipulated by the rhetoric of their teacher into enlisting in the German army. They are told that to die for the "fatherland" was the most beautiful and precious way to die. They are also told to set aside their own personal ambitions and help Germany win its glorious victory. The first scene of the movie is particularly effective. It shows a group of young men sitting in a classroom listening dutifully as their teacher tells them that to fight for the fatherland was the greatest privilege they had. You see the young men's eager eyes flash with enthusiasm and excitement at what their teacher is telling them. The scene ends with the whole class marching off to enlist in the army--stirred by the passion and patriotism of the moment.

Although Paul Baumer and his classmates are at first enthusiastic about their new life as soldiers they soon realize the true horrors of the war. On the western front they suffer from the hands of the enemy as well as the horrible conditions of trench life. Many of Paul's companions are killed in combat.

Later in the movie Paul Baumer goes back home on leave. One afternoon he happens to walk by the little school house where he and his comrades were first indoctrinated into enlisting. Paul hears the same teacher giving the same patriotic rhetoric to another group of young men. Upon entering the classroom, his former teacher asks Paul to tell the boys in the class what it means to be a soldier and to relate some heroic deed that he has done. Paul Baumer is bluntly honest with the young men in the class and he tells them about the senseless death and destruction that he has witnessed. He then reminds his teacher that war has not at all brought the glorious victory that they had been promised.

All Quiet on the Western Front should be seen by all who find war-time propaganda--used even to this day--despicable. It's the story of young men --though once caught up in the patriotism of the times--quickly learning to face the horrors of war.
May 4, 2008

Still Crazy After All These Years

It's hard to imagine how with movies like these made 70 years ago people are still duped by their leaders and thrown into needless wars. Considering the age of the movie its amazing how entertaining and pertinent it still is, special effects are very good, but don't expect Saving Private Ryan. February 26, 2008

EXCELLENT PRODUCT & TRANSACTION!!!!

The DVD got here faster than i expected and the conditions are as described on the web.
GREAT SELLLER!!!! RECOMMENDED!!!!!!
THANKS November 29, 2007

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