All quiet on the Western Front

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©2023 Amusement Park Films

Hell World War I

Paul Bäumer, Albert Kropp, Franz Müller and Ludwig Behm are young men living in northern Germany in 1917. They dream of enlisting for military service and going into the ongoing First World War for the German Empire.

 

Their notions of heroic combat are put to the test a short time later on the Western Front at La Malmaison, as the battles are an endless string of human suffering and never-ending casualties.

 

Based on the book by Erich Maria Remarque

The plot of the war film is based on the book of the same name by the writer Erich Maria Remarque from 1928. He was himself in Flanders for a month in the First World War and wrote the fictional novel eleven years later from the point of view of Paul Bäumer.

 

Even though the writing is fictional, it is based on stories of wounded soldiers he had met in the military hospital. As early as 1930, the story was made into a film by Lewis Milestone and in 1979 an American-British television film of the same name was made.

 

The senselessness of war in a nutshell

As viewers, we know in advance that the story cannot end well. In the more than two hours of the cinema experience, we become aware of what was expected in gruesome foreboding; to the point that some think of leaving the cinema hall.

 

What is impressive is the focus on the contrasts of the scene. One perceives the quiet nature, near which battlefields are endlessly dug up by force of arms. The military authorities dine opulently while simple soldiers have to starve and steal food.

 

Focus on the ordinary soldiers

The four friends Paul, Albert, Franz and Ludwig are introduced intensively. They are joined by their loyal comrades-in-arms Tjaden and Stanislaus. In the tumult of war, the men are soon only itching to know where to find food and drink, as malnutrition makes endurance worse and worse.

 

In addition to the terrible conflicts with the French enemy on the other side of the front line, the soldiers' everyday life is also marked by boredom during breaks in the battle, longing for home and for small comforts. In addition, the men miss the sight and company of women.

 

 

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Surrender is only a question of time

For Minister Matthias Erzberger (portrayed by Daniel Brühl, photo), the losses indicate early on that the German empire cannot win the war. But the pride of the military does not yet allow a surrender, so that more suffering on all sides is inevitable.

 

The film already hints at the end of the Weimar Republic and the rise of the Nazi dictatorship, which is not yet present in the original source. Some find this incorrect, but this gives it a political level that is interesting by departing somewhat from the sparse sobriety of the original.

 

Music and sound

Musically, Volker Bertelmann held back a lot in order to preserve the simplicity. Only a restrained theme with a creepy drone sound was added.

 

The sounds, however, are very accurate and successful. Weapons, machines, explosions - everything seems extremely realistic and intensifies the horror in an intense way.

 

Shortcomings

The finale is overdramatised and seems a bit cheesy, especially in the movie's sober approach. In reality, the end of World War I in particular was more complex.

 

Although all the technologies shown in the film actually existed at the time, they were not used in the composition shown. Moreover, the French military was still segregated and not multicultural.

What succeeded?

Fantastic set design and costumes

Actors well cast, approachable and with appropriate original languages

Great contrast of beautiful scenery and ugliness of war

 

 

Summary

Anyone willing to put up with the horror of World War I will be treated to an excellent battle drama

 

I have watched many war epics and all of them usually offer an element of adventure and heroic action alongside the cautionary anti-war theme.

 

In 1917, for example, Corporal Blake's bold push forward with a message to Colonel Mackenzie and Dunkirk portrays the help of numerous captains for soldiers and civilians in distress.

 

All quiet on the Western Front dispenses with all that and straightforwardly shows only all the terrible side effects that war brings. Even if it is not completely accurate, this serves as a formidable reminder against senseless slaughter.

 

Actors

The actors have been excellently chosen. While the three young main actors are from northern Germany, it is easy to recognise in the original German version that Daniel Brühl, for example, embodies a Swabian with the character Matthias Enzberger, or Edin Hasanovic a Berliner or Brandenburger with Tjaden.

 

Only a few celebrities stand out. Apart from Daniel Brühl and Devid Striesow (as General Friedrichs), we know Aaron Hilmer as the main actor in the series "The Pimp". Albrecht Schuch is reminiscent of the late German actor Götz George in this film, in my opinion. Female actors are very rare, which is historically correct for wartime.

 

 

Infos to All quiet on the Western Front