'All Quiet on the Western Front' - anti-war movie attacked by Nazis in 30s

[bobbieinok]

- US movie of German WWI anti-war book

- German version shown in Germany in early 30s

- book by Remarque one of strongest anti-war books; several movie and video versions

- A&E (?) had an hour program on it in their series of classic books

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

1. Has anyone ever seen the movie?

Is it worth renting? The book is great, very powerful.

[Snoggera]

3. I watched it online a few years ago

but don't think it available anymore.

read this for info.

http://www.world-of-movies.com/all_quiet_on_the_western_front/

[SnohoDem]

5. It's available on DVD from Netflix,

but I don't know if they'd have it at your local Blockbuster. Maybe at the library.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

10. Thanks to both of you! I'll rent from netflix. n/t

n/t

[DavidMS]

17. I remember seeing it in middle school

It made qutie an impression on me (I was in 8th grade). Of cource the RW probably wants to ban it as its very anti-war.

Defanately see it.

[kvnf]

2. a fantastic movie

This is among the first war movies ever, made in 1930...it's an absolutely stunning film. The film, like the book, is a pacifist take on war and shows the horrors of war with startling clarity and emotion.

The sound recording is difficult to understand at times...but understandable considering the technological limitations of the time, which can get frustrating, but there are battle sequences that make "Saving Private Ryan" look like child's play....i'd go so far as to say the best battle scenes I've ever seen, period.

[bobbieinok]

4. it's also interesting from a film history viewpoint

I'd definitely rent it if you can find a video rental that has old/classic films.

I first saw it as a kid; my parents took us kids to a series of classic movies shown by some group at the local university.

I remember this one and the first Mutiny on the Bounty with Franchet Tone. My brother got interested in the authors of Mutiny and read their book Falcons of France - a novel about the Americans flying in the Layfette Escadrile (sp?)in WWI before US entered the war.

[markses]

6. The German title is a bit more resonant

"Im Westen Nichts Neues"

Or, nothing new in the West. Remarque is of course aiming a something a bit broader than World War I story. He's critiquing the history of Western thought and politics. Hence, the final encounter with the jingo teacher who praised the war so highly. It is a matter of Kultur.

[bobbieinok]

12. but also in the context of the book German title means 'Nothing to report

from the Western Front' or 'No news today from the Western Front' the day the main character is killed

[markses]

15. Yes, of course

That's the double meaning.

[Kathleen04]

7. Interesting

I'd like to see the movie..

I have read the book..it was required reading in 10th grade.

[Snoggera]

8. There was a remake

with John Boy Walton (name?), that was okay, but for the full effect, get the dated original. You won't be disappointed.

[Kathleen04]

14. I will..

I just signed up w/ Netflix, so I'll add it to the ever growing list. :)

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

9. Has anyone ever seen "Things To Come"?

It is a movie that was made in England in 1936, from an H.G. Wells book. It is absolutely wonderful and is also anti-war. It starts out with a World War that lasts from 1936 until 1966, then the world is in shambles and is run by primitive warlords. The hero has escaped to a mysterious place and comes back to convince people to work for progress. Then the movie goes forward to 2046 and portrays the future. Incredible filming, sets and performances by the actors.

I don't believe it is on DVD, but I have it on video.

[KoKo]

11. I read the book and it was more powerful than the movie. One of those

books that stays with you forever. The images were incredible. But then I read the book before I saw the movie and most folks like the book better than the movie. Still, it's worth picking up at the library or if you have one of those used book stores.

Really a great read...but it's depressing, so probably not a vacation read...

[NYCGirl]

13. It's a fine film but here are two more great anti-war films worth a look..

[DivinBreuvage]

16. At least a lot of the Nazis were genuine combat veterans (WWI)

Even the leadership. Hitler won the Iron Cross 1st Class (an unusual distinction for a corporal) and Göring had been a fighter ace who ended the war in command of the Red Baron's former squadron. The SA (Storm Troopers) was chock full of men who knew full well what war was all about.

So even the Nazis had a little more credibility on this issue than a bunch of underfit, underemployed, undereducated non-entities who, while living the whole of their lives under the safety and freedom purchased by the blood of others, flippantly demand that American soldiers continue to die for a lie.

[PeaceForever]

18. Troy is a modern equivalent of All Quiet on the Western Front

Seriously, watch the movie (either the original or remake from the 1970s) and then watch Troy. There are lots of parallels and similarities between the two movies, albeit in different settings. Troy is really a profoundly antiwar movie, and it's not getting the credit it deserves.

In Troy, there's no glory from any of the killing, and when Achilles (a prime alpha male) breaks down crying, it says volumes about how cruel and evil war is.