The Best of The First World War

Rating: 9/10 (5 January 2005)

There are so many versions of the original print, all are outstanding. This is the story of youth in war. The Platoon of the 1930's, this is far one of the earliest best films ever made. There are moments as touching and still as powerful now then they were back in the cinema 70 plus years ago. Paul, who is the hope of the audience portraying the innocent generation that was sold into war. This is not only the German view but the view of the soldier. No matter what side they are fighting for, this is truth of the battle. The scenes of the soldiers eating and drinking together are as strong as the battle scenes. The story of the passing of the boots and the questioning of why they are there, fighting in the first place are what makes this movie great. By the end, when Paul dies, the audience is shocked as there is no happy ending, no redemption for the character. Like the Deer Hunter, the ending keeps the audience guessing and thinking about the nature of war. Some versions have the movie ending with music, others have the film close in silence. The silence is more fitting as we see the young faces walking away from the audience after they look back. Before them stands hundreds of white crosses marking their grave sites along the quiet western front.