ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT

I thought it might be rough to segue from my recent viewing of Platoon, an excellent film created in 1986, to viewing another war film that was made in 1930. I was wrong. Set in World War I Germany, All Quiet on the Western Front is a magnificent motion picture, and it was very deservedly awarded the Oscar for Best Picture in 1931.

Much like Platoon, this film is about exposing how war destroys the innocence of human beings and the further destruction it causes to their lives. The movie follows several German high school boys, as they are indoctrinated through their school teachings about the glory of war. The parades, the accolades, the recognition, and the girls that the fortune soldiers are guaranteed when they go to war for the glory of their country. It takes only a few days after enlistment to discover that the reality of serving in the German army (or any army really) is not an experience to be glorified.

It’s very hard to take your eyes off the screen at any time. Director Lewis Milestone does a brilliant job of using the camera and telling his story. One thing that I noticed right away is that he has completely abandoned all common filming techniques associated with silent films. This is especially noteworthy since silent films were still being produced at this time, and big-scale talkies were in their infancy. Visually the movie is stunning, and Milestone gives the viewer complete immersion into the bunkers and trenches and the indignity that comes along with being forced to reside in them. The battle scenes are huge and extremely well done both in terms of their horrific damage and the intensity of the noise. The only noticeable “dating” of the film is with some of the dialogue, and the very slight fast-motion noticeable in a couple of the large battle scenes… something extremely common in older films due to inconsistencies between camera frame speeds and projector frame speeds. Outside of these two items, one wouldn’t think that this film is 90 years old, and only the third movie ever to win an Oscar.

The two actors carrying the film are Louis Wolheim as Kat, the veteran soldier, and Lew Ayres as Paul, one of the fresh out of high school newbies. Wolheim turns in a fantastic performance. Ayres on the other hand is solid but seems a little green for all the role entails. Fortunately, Milestone’s storytelling overcompensates and overcomes this slight failing.

The movie has a clear message and intent, and it conveys it superbly. This was an extremely enjoyable, though somber experience. That said, the minutes leading into the final fade-to-black are heartbreaking. Milestone closes his story to perfection.