a classic that still resonates today

Rating: Null/10 (24 September 2011)

At the start of world war one, young German schoolboys are excited to go off to war, for the glory. Their professor gives an impassioned speech to save the fatherland from the invaders. The reality becomes very different however with trench warfare, mud, rats, trench foot, disease, sickness, boredom offset by bloody violence. After returning for leave and to visit his sick mother, he returns to visit the profesor and his students. The professor, expecting him to proclaim the glories of fighting for the fatherland, is shocked and horrified when he tells his true horror story. Of course no one believes and the professor goes on his propogandanistic rants. In the end he goes back to the front and in one of the classic finales spies a butterfly.
it is shocking to find out that this book was banned at one point as was the film, because it sends the message, the true message of what war is and the hell that it brings. the movie itself is a classic. Be careful what version you see as this film has been butchered in the past with editing. Look for the complete film.