Review of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) by Simon D — 23 Aug 2014

This is interesting for many reasons but, in my opinion, not a valid film as a historical document. It's interesting largely due to the timing, made just before the Germans were about to kick-off again.

Was it a bad move to try and drum up a bit of sympathy for the enemies, well, for at least a few years it might have been. I wonder why this was made from the perspective of the Germans though, surely the other side had a similar story to tell and, with a cast full of very typical Americans, it would have felt more realistic.

I don't think that you can compare the experiences of the German soldiers with this film as, culturally, they would have been so far apart in their behaviour, outlook, and almost everything else, that it almost feels like a wasted excercise.

Putting all that aside though, it's an impressive film to watch, especially for it's age.