A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.A German youth eagerly enters World War I, but his enthusiasm wanes as he gets a firsthand view of the horror.
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
61K
YOUR RATING
- Director
- Writers
- Erich Maria Remarque(by)
- Maxwell Anderson(adaptation & dialogue)
- George Abbott(screen play)
- Stars
Top credits
- Director
- Writers
- Erich Maria Remarque(by)
- Maxwell Anderson(adaptation & dialogue)
- George Abbott(screen play)
- Stars
- Won 2 Oscars
- 7 wins & 2 nominations total
Ben Alexander
- Kemmerichas Kemmerich
- (as Kemmerick)
Walter Rogers
- Behnas Behn
- (as Walter Browne Rogers)
Slim Summerville
- Tjadenas Tjaden
- (as 'Slim' Summerville)
G. Pat Collins
- Bertinckas Bertinck
- (as Pat Collins)
Ernie Adams
- 2nd Medic Orderlyas 2nd Medic Orderly
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- Erich Maria Remarque(by)
- Maxwell Anderson(adaptation & dialogue)
- George Abbott(screen play)
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
- All cast & crew
Storyline
This is an English language film (made in America) adapted from a novel by German author Erich Maria Remarque. The film follows a group of German schoolboys, talked into enlisting at the beginning of World War 1 by their jingoistic teacher. The story is told entirely through the experiences of the young German recruits and highlights the tragedy of war through the eyes of individuals. As the boys witness death and mutilation all around them, any preconceptions about "the enemy" and the "rights and wrongs" of the conflict disappear, leaving them angry and bewildered. This is highlighted in the scene where Paul mortally wounds a French soldier and then weeps bitterly as he fights to save his life while trapped in a shell crater with the body. The film is not about heroism but about drudgery and futility and the gulf between the concept of war and the actuality. —Michele Wilkinson, University of Cambridge Language Centre, <mw125@cus.cam.ac.uk>
- Taglines
- At last....the motion picture!
- Genres
- Certificate
- Passed
- Parents guide
Did you know
- TriviaWith the loss of limbs and gory deaths shown rather explicitly, this is undoubtedly the most violent American film of its time. This is because the Production Code was not strictly enforced until 1934, and also because Universal Pictures deemed the subject matter important enough to allow the violence to be seen. The scene where a soldier grabs a strand of barbed wire and then is blown up by an artillery shell, leaving only his hands still grabbing the barbed wire, was told to director Lewis Milestone by a former German soldier working as an extra, who saw that happen during a French attack on his position during the war. Milestone used it in the film.
- GoofsAs men are seen being shot by a German machine gun, they are seen just falling down dead. In reality, the power from such weapons was so great that the fire blew large chunks of the target's body away. By example, a single volley at Passchendale ripped both my grandfather's left leg and arm completely off, although, miraculously, he did survive.
- Quotes
Paul Bäumer: You still think it's beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for country, it's better not to die at all.
- Crazy creditsLater reissues of the film mentioned that the film was an Academy Award winner in the opening credits.
- Alternate versionsThe Library of Congess also restored a sound version, 133 minutes long, which is the version occasionally shown on American TV.
- ConnectionsEdited into No Greater Glory (1934)
Top review
"You still think it's beautiful to die for your country?",...
A film about the horrors and suffering in the First World War. Through the story takes us to a group of young German soldiers. There is an interesting story from the perspective of German soldiers told in English.
The motive, which draws young people on the battlefield is not strong, but it is not questionable. At the beginning of the film can be noticed that the young Germans highly motivated. Youthful enthusiasm and patriotism are not desirable traits.
Horror followed by constant suffering on the Western Front is enough at the moment of breaking down every war motive. The boys continue to struggle even though their confidence shaken well. In the end they became soldiers and nothing more than that.
The film is extremely powerful, emotional and perhaps too realistic. As much as I am shocked scattered body parts during the fight, which is certainly controversial in that period, I was more shocked by the mental state of the characters. Director Milestone has certainly been affected by silent film. I think it's only because of that conveyed the horror of the battlefield on the face of the main character. It is realistic and damn convincing.
I am delighted by the fact that the director is not a single moment involved politics. The harsh reality of the Western Front is all what we need to see. The main message of the film is the absurdity of war. The message is hidden in the words of a young Paul and his comrades.
Lew Ayres as Paul Baumer is excellent. Not everything is about Paul, but through his character we can understand the essence.
Louis Wolheim as Stanislaus Katczinsky is mentor of young soldiers, and his performances are full of humanity and humor.
In the conditions of trench warfare, man is exposed to the horror that it destroys the mind and body. Milestone shows small moments of laughter and joy, without which life would not make sense. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT brings an anti-war story that must not be forgotten.
The motive, which draws young people on the battlefield is not strong, but it is not questionable. At the beginning of the film can be noticed that the young Germans highly motivated. Youthful enthusiasm and patriotism are not desirable traits.
Horror followed by constant suffering on the Western Front is enough at the moment of breaking down every war motive. The boys continue to struggle even though their confidence shaken well. In the end they became soldiers and nothing more than that.
The film is extremely powerful, emotional and perhaps too realistic. As much as I am shocked scattered body parts during the fight, which is certainly controversial in that period, I was more shocked by the mental state of the characters. Director Milestone has certainly been affected by silent film. I think it's only because of that conveyed the horror of the battlefield on the face of the main character. It is realistic and damn convincing.
I am delighted by the fact that the director is not a single moment involved politics. The harsh reality of the Western Front is all what we need to see. The main message of the film is the absurdity of war. The message is hidden in the words of a young Paul and his comrades.
Lew Ayres as Paul Baumer is excellent. Not everything is about Paul, but through his character we can understand the essence.
Louis Wolheim as Stanislaus Katczinsky is mentor of young soldiers, and his performances are full of humanity and humor.
In the conditions of trench warfare, man is exposed to the horror that it destroys the mind and body. Milestone shows small moments of laughter and joy, without which life would not make sense. ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT brings an anti-war story that must not be forgotten.
helpful•221
- elvircorhodzic
- Mar 22, 2016
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $1,200,000 (estimated)
- Runtime2 hours 32 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.20 : 1(original aspect ratio)
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By what name was All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) officially released in India in English?
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