Review of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) by Bob V — 19 Oct 2010
No liberties are taken in this Hollywood production portraying the WWI effort from the German side. Even with an extremely dark and distraught tone, certainly uncharacteristic in its time, Lewis Milestone's anti-war odyssey strikes all the right chords in being a great technical achievement and competent adaptation of the illustrious novel by Erich Maria Remarque.
Wide-eyed youths are sent off to fight the great fight, in a barrage of nationalistic propaganda before the bullets or bombs, and those who do not die soon become men right in front of the audience's eyes.
The transition is remarkable thanks to a persistent and painstaking tempo. Nearly every decision seems to be the right one regarding the narrative structure and each beat handles smoothly. This is enhanced by the jarring realization of the horrors experienced during war, almost taking it to shocking heights in some instances.
"All Quiet on the Western Front" is not an easy film to take in as it pulls no punches against Germany or any nation looking for a fight to the death. Even though the United States' motivations were not exactly in the right place, they may have accidentally fallen upon a well-executed and articulate production.
Where the novel is required reading in most grade school institutions, the film would be a nice companion piece to screen if the embedded physical and psychological violence could be overlooked.
This review of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) was written by Bob V on 19 Oct 2010.
All Quiet on the Western Front has generally received very positive reviews.
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