This is quite a surprising movie, having been made in 1930, well after the end of the First World War it showcases. But it looks at War from the German point of view and presents a realistically bleak view of the life of the common man in the trenches. The movie opens with a group of school friends being harangued by their teacher to join the German war effort by signing up for the Army.

Despite the misgivings of some, the boys join virtually as one and go on to do their boot camp under the reigns of their ex-postmaster who enjoys his moments of power over the boys. Eventually the soldiers head to the Front where the harsh realities of War hit them head on. The poor accommodation, lack of food, constant bombardment and the risk of death all crowd in on the group and affecting each of them differently. Some crack earlier than others, some stoically put up with it for longer while a few drop in to a form of acceptance of their lot that is probably close to the truth.

The largely futile efforts of both sides to capture small pieces of turf, only to hand it back, at great cost in terms of men and equipment, is a view of war not normally the focus of movies. Being jingoistic is more likely, whereas this movie takes us into the trenches with the boys to live and almost breathe the ugly existence of the common soldier. The group dwindles in size as the statistical probabilities catch up with the experienced and the inexperienced alike. Despite being led by hard-bitten NCO who tries to teach the boys how to stay alive for the longest possible period their numbers fall as time goes by. Even their fleeting sexual adventure with a group of French farm girls puts a sad perspective on the miserable life the men at the Front went through.

Eventually, as a hard-bitten individual one of the boys returns home and runs into the ignorance of the general public and family. The older men at home have no idea of the trials and tribulations being suffered at the Front while the mothers pine to have their boys home safe and sound. With a resignation that comes from living so close to death our hero returns to the Front only to end up dead like the rest of his mates. The poignant ending where we reprise the group that went away and never came back is a sad reminder of the senseless act of War and the untold damage it does to the soldiers and their families.

I have read elsewhere when researching this movie that it was seen as a great pacifist movie, given its bleak view of war and its impact in individuals. After viewing I tend to agree. The sheer brutality of the existence and the lottery-like randomness of who lives and dies certainly paints war as a horrible choice to make when countries have disagreements. The point one of the soldiers makes about how the Kaiser isn?t fighting the war up at the Front is a stark reminder of the way the elite can start the war but expect others to complete it for them.

I didn?t realise how powerful this movie would be. I had heard of it of course and had used the generic expression All Quiet on the Western Front as most of us would have over time. But this is a special film and I would highly recommend it to everyone. This is about as real as you can get without being on the battlefield itself and it will leave an impression ? of that I am certain. If you haven?t seen it, do yourself a favour and get the DVD. I am sure it will remain a firm favourite and one you pull out every so often just to re-live the impact. I know I will.

THE EXTRAS

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CONCLUSION

This classic war film invites us into the world of a group of young Germans who join up from school to fight in the First World War. We watch the group evolve and struggle in their different ways with the pressure and tension of the War To End All Wars. The powerful message of the futility of war is crafted in a marvellous movie package that will definitely leave an impression on you.