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THE MOVIE
So it begins,
“This story is neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war...”
All Quiet On The Western Front was an enormous undertaking for its time, yet Lewis Milestone created one of the most gut-wrenching anti-war statements put onto film. The film won Oscars for Best Picture and for Best Direction, remaining unsurpassed in many areas till this day. It’s a classic tale of young soldiers’ confrontations with the possibility of imminent and arbitrary death. Barely even out of their teens, German schoolboys are convinced by their Professor to fight for their country. However, before long it seems the initial dreams they had all envisioned are shattered by the realisation they now stand on a thin line between life and death. Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, we enter a spiraling road of death. Paul Baumer (Lew Ayres) along with his friends, Kantorek (Arnold Lucy), Franz Kemmerich (Ben Alexander), Leer (Scott Kolk), Peter (Owen Davis, Jr.), Behm (Walter Rogers), Albert (William Bakewell), Westus (Richard Alexander), Mueller (Russell Gleason) and Deter (Harold Goodwin), decide to defend the country that gave birth to them, unknowingly signing their lives away.
Katczinsky (Louis Wolheim), a battle-worn non-commissioned officer, gives them helpful practical advice on how to stay alive in the trenches. However, like many others, despite efforts to keep his spirits high, Paul Baumer is disillusioned by all the death and destruction around him. This is a film that is timeless, despite being made in 1930. With a display of technical brilliance, with stupendous tracking shots over trenches where lines of infantry stand in wait, it creates a realistic vision of the absurdity of war. Shown are soldiers chasing rats, a bottle of spirits being passed from one grasping hand to the next, and among the numerous battle scenes we are shown the hands of an infantry man, dangling on a length of barbed wire after an artillery strike. All Quiet On The Western Front was a breakthrough film at the time, both financially and critically, despite the surrounding controversy of its anti-war messages, which was attacked by a number of countries including Germany. This is a film which questions war in general and reveals the fallacies of pro-war propaganda.
It’s probably also important to mention that the version shown is the Library of Congress restoration, with some minor additions added from the British and French prints. The film was indeed very controversial in its day, and a number of different versions exist. There is no glory to be found in any version though, a film which is very savage and critical of a patriotic ideal. The film feels very authentic, from its haunting set design to the ferociously savage battle fields, where so many characters disappear within its confusion. It has been reported this film was rather expensive to make, although it is all there on the screen. However it’s a very ferocious film in its depiction, without much glamour to hide the brutality and openness in the matters it throws out into the audience. Furthermore, while there is a mix of comical dialogue, it serves up some interesting political commentary and irony which remains unfortunately, just as relevant today. Adding to its realism is a cast of unknowns who perform exceptionally well, who create a disturbing layer of identify within the story. It’s a powerful story and a brilliant adaptation.
Although admittedly the film doesn’t suggest that war is never the answer. Reality would suggest that sometimes it can’t be avoided, however the glamour and heroic nature of war is attacked. Something missing in the film is indeed a glamorous approach or a leading hero because this isn’t the point of the film. It attempts a form of honesty, and manages to successfully merge a balance between its fictional drama and brutal fighting. Though perhaps while the dialogue is a little rough and the acting can be slightly stage like, for a film made in 1930 some minor quibbles can be forgiven. Perhaps though the standout scene within the film is the ending, both beautifully filmed and captured, showing a director who was completely in control and aware of what he was saying. All Quiet On The Western Front has earned its reputation not just as a great war film, but a brilliantly realised adaptation surrounding a critique of humanities follies and cruelties. It’s moving and deeply compelling, never becoming a romantic or glorious war story, showing the effects of war on those who fight regardless of nationalities.
“We live in trenches and we fight. We try not to be killed -- that’s all.”
THE TRANSFER
Video:
All Quiet On The Western Front is presented in 1.33:1.
The quality is acceptable, although shadow detail is often poor. There are also constant examples of just about every film artifact known to man. For the most part however, the overall image is sharp enough to ensure that you don’t miss a thing, although it is at times inconsistent, with some shots appearing soft and hazy. Although despite a variety of scratches, spots and grain on the screen, it remains justifiable considering its age.
Audio:
All Quiet On The Western Front supports English Dolby Digital 2.0.
Essentially a mono track, the sound lacks range and doesn’t quite deliver much punch, but it’s adequate. However, while the dialogue is clear for the most part, it does remain very thin. Distortion also becomes an issue with its intelligibility, as well as affecting the clarity of gunfire and explosions which become rather harsh. Music also, while limited, does show the limited range of its recording equipment, appearing very compressed.
THE EXTRAS
There are no extra features, although we’re not missing out on very much when compared to overseas editions.
SUMMARY
All Quiet On The Western Front contains both artistic and technical brilliance, remaining a sensational piece of entertainment even by today’s standards. The extras are non existent, but being another budget DVD, this film demands to be seen and appreciated. Hopefully All Quiet On The Western Front receives its well deserved restoration, but for now it would be well advised to give this film a rental. |
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