Review of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) by Roger T — 30 Jul 2011
Death is not an adventure for those that stand face to face with it.
A group of young soldiers join the Army during World War I with delusions of grandeur. However, it doesn't take long on the battle field facing constant bombing raids, battle field combat, and friends dying by their sides for them to realize dying for your country isn't all it's cracked up to be.
"I'll take your mother's milk out of you. I'll make you hard boiled.".
Lewis Milestone, director of Ocean's Eleven (1960), Pork Chop Hill, A Walk in the Sun, The North Star, Of Mice and Men, Paris in Spring, The Racket, and Two Arabian Knights, delivers All Quiet on the Western Front. The storyline for this picture is deep and well contrived. The plot is interesting, but the symbolic nature of the events sprinkled throughout the film is cunning and well written. This is a very deep picture with excellent cinematography and brilliant acting. The cast includes Lew Ayers, Louis Wolheim, John Wray, and Arnold Lucy.
"There used to be food in the saw dust. Now it's just saw dust.".
The presentation of this picture is mesmerizing and reminded me of the old Kurosawa picture. This is an all time classic and a war genre picture with a message (some say it is the first anti-war picture of our culture). Depth aside, this is a good movie in its own right in terms of action and battle scenes. Overall, this is a must see movie for fans of the war genre.
"When we get back I'll get you some nice clean underwear.".
Grade: A.
This review of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) was written by Roger T on 30 Jul 2011.
All Quiet on the Western Front has generally received very positive reviews.
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