All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Reviews

All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Member Rating:  
One of the most powerful anti-war statements ever put on film, this gut-wrenching story concerns a group of friends who join the Army during World War I and are assigned to the Western Front, where their fiery patriotism is quickly turned to horror and misery by the harsh realities of combat. Director Lewis Milestone pioneered the use of the sweeping crane shot to capture a ghastly battlefield panorama of death and mud, and the cast, led by Lew Ayres, is terrific. It's hard to pick a favorite scene, but the finale, as Ayres stretches from his trench to catch a butterfly, is one of the most devastating sequences of the decade. The film won Oscars for Best Picture and for Milestone's direction -- and trivia buffs should note that the actors were coached by future luminary George Cukor, while Ayres became a conscientious objector in World War II. The Road Back (1937) followed, and the film was remade for television in 1979. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

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Starring:
Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, (more)
Director(s):
Lewis Milestone
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD & HD
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Average Ratings

(27 member reviews)  

Member Reviews

William L.

I can see why this film won maultiple Oscars and many other accolades. Although it is outdated from a technical aspect it accomplished what many more up-to-date films (Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Black Hawk Down, Jar Head, etc.) have tried to achieve: providing the viewer with a gut-level understanding of the effect of war on the psyche of the soldier. Some may claim that this is an “anti-war” film; I saw it as a statement on the inevitability of war, the unavoidable alteration of human perspective, and irreversible personality changes that result from hand-to-hand combat. War is what it is, and this film helps us focus on some often overlooked aspects of combat.

Yes   |   No


Michael L.

It showed that the enemy is human too many times in war. sometimes they don't know what they are dying for either. Think about it.

Yes   |   No


William L.

watch this incredible for it's time film that truly shows both sides of the fence when it comes to the barbarity of war and why we should be beyond this point.

Yes   |   No


Patterson K.

Good summaries by many reviewers. Expect acting that was just recovering from the over-blown silent acting days. Some was pretty good, but some was pretty old style and unreal. First 2/3 was really good. Amazing depiction of trench warfare that would stand up to todays movie making. Good depiction of people's unease and fear of going into battle and life threatening situations. Last 1/3 had most of the old-style acting and preaching; and was the hardest part of the movie to sit through. Hopefully being prepared for an old movie will make it more enjoyable.

Yes   |   No


Jerry H.

It deserved an Oscar of course, but keep in mind, many merely adequate directors would have made it a winner too what with such a hell of a splendid book to take it from. What I'm suggesting, read the book. It'll tear your heart out and stomp on it.

Yes   |   No


Elizabeth G.

I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this movie (one my husband picked and I groaned about). It was absolutely brilliant. You cant watch it without remembering that it was made some 70 years ago, but that aside, there is nothing I can say to knock this classic. It has heart, integrity, and courage. And tugs at the soul to ponder, "will we ever learn?"

Yes   |   No


Ted S.

.

Yes   |   No


Gisele S.

this movie is amazing, considering its so old...the characters are actually acting like real people in trench warfare,and some things are gory by todays standards..it also showed the veiw of civilians, which completly changed the way i look at war....while i respect the opinions of the people who bad-mouth this film, i must disagree.for a start, someone said the film copy was scratchy and jumped, but it didnt.another thing someone said there was bad acting and high voices.there arn't any.the ending is just enough to put you on the verge of tears...and for the morons who think this is about nazis,1: the germans have spiked helmets, which ONLY popped up in WWI, 2:the leader of the germans is called "Kaiser"(not hitler)3:since when did WWII have trench warfare?and 4:ITS MADE IN 1930 and the nazis didnt evan have power until 1933. i think this may have been the "saving private ryan"of its day.

Yes   |   No


Cindy K.

I really wanted to like this movie and I watched a good bit of it, but the acting was so bad that I had to turn it off.

Yes   |   No


Mark G.

The movie stays surprisingly true the novel which I read twice, but the acting is so horrible it is almost impossible to recommend. The movie feels more Disney than D-Day. Moments that should bring chills to you are drowned out by perky cartoonish voices and over acting. Unless you prefer to learn about the horrors of trench warfare through the plucky eye of 1930's Hollywood I recommend that you do not watch this movie.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    William L.

    I can see why this film won maultiple Oscars and many other accolades. Although it is outdated from a technical aspect it accomplished what many more up-to-date films (Apocalypse Now, Full Metal Jacket, Black Hawk Down, Jar Head, etc.) have tried to achieve: providing the viewer with a gut-level understanding of the effect of war on the psyche of the soldier. Some may claim that this is an “anti-war” film; I saw it as a statement on the inevitability of war, the unavoidable alteration of human perspective, and irreversible personality changes that result from hand-to-hand combat. War is what it is, and this film helps us focus on some often overlooked aspects of combat.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Michael L.

    It showed that the enemy is human too many times in war. sometimes they don't know what they are dying for either. Think about it.

    Yes   |   No

     
    William L.

    watch this incredible for it's time film that truly shows both sides of the fence when it comes to the barbarity of war and why we should be beyond this point.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 27 Reviews
       

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