All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Directed by Lewis Milestone. Starring Lew Ayres, Louis Wolhaim, John Wray, Ben Alexander, Arnold Lucy, Owen Davis Jr., Scott Kolk, William Bakewell, Beryl Mercer, Russell Gleason, Richard Alexander, Slim Summerville, Yola d’Avril, Walter Browne Rogers, Harold Goodwin, G. Pat Collins.

Incredibly powerful anti-war film, as good as any other picture of its kind, and one of the very few films released in the early years of “talkies” not dated to its detriment in the least. Based off Erich Maria Remarque’s novel, the film depicts the often harrowing experiences of German students who eagerly join the army to serve the Fatherland after the outbreak of World War I, with most of the focus falling on the sincere, humanistic recruit played by Ayres. Poignant and persuasive, with numerous moving episodes and distressing scenes of trench warfare, which come courtesy of Milestone’s top-grade direction that omits nothing for the sake of silver linings or exhilaration, and aided immeasurably by the earth-shaking sound and roving camerawork. Even the war movie clichés it assisted in birthing (hospital horrors, romantic interludes with village girls, etc.) retain their clarity and poetry no matter how awkwardly they might be presented; a few weak spots in minor roles provide momentary distractions, but it’s otherwise a stunning experience, and the heart-wrenching final shot is rightfully famous. Despite depicting German soldiers in a sympathetic light, the film was banned in Nazi Germany. Oscar winner for Best Picture and Director. Remade for TV in 1979.

96/100