One of the first of its genre, and one of the best

Rating: 8/10 (7 September 2004)

After viewing 'All Quiet on the Western Front', made in 1930 and directed by Lewis Milestone, I have been trying my hardest to come up with something to criticize regarding the film. The story of a band of fresh-faced German teens who enlist in the army at the behest of their propaganda-spewing teacher during the height of World War I, it examines their journey from idealistic novices to (for those who are left) war-torn and bedraggled soldiers who have lived through hell, uncertain of why they are doing what they do. The evolution of these men are told through both obvious means, (focusing on each of them before deciding to enlist, and showing their fantasies of how their lives will be better if they enlist) and in more subtle ways (the idealistic protagonist, Paul Baumer) quietly deciding that it is more painful to remain at home on leave than be on the battlefield, so he goes back four days early)
'All Quiet on the Western Front' is probably the granddaddy of the war film genre. I'm sure that Steven Spielberg studied it before creating 'Saving Private Ryan' because I saw aesthetic and situational similarities between the two films, filmed six decades apart. There are extremely well-done battle scenes, regardless of the fact that it was filmed in 1930. It only makes the film that much more awe-inspiring that it WAS such an early film. The script is equally impressive. In a decade (heck, a few decades) where films/scripts that took chances or were not overt in handing the audience the desired reactions, emotions and thoughts, were few and far between, 'All Quiet' is disturbing and cerebral, and clearly an anti-war film. I have not seen it, but judging from what others who did have told me, it sounds like the original took far more chances and was far more subtle than its remake, fifty years later. Equally surprising, in an era where the audience is told who the bad guy or good guy is simply by the color of their hat or the sinister look on their face, the 'hero' of the film is not established until nearly the middle of the film. Until then, the audience is left to look at the entire picture, just as the characters on screen are. In terms of a 'happy, hopeful' ending  look elsewhere. This film ends with such power and effectiveness that I was literally numb as the words 'The End' came onto the screen.
My original statement of this review was that I tried long and hard to come up with something I could criticize about the film 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. Even after putting a brief analysis on paper, I can't come up with anything, because this film was made seventy years ago and was so far ahead of its time even then that the slightest thing I can come up with can be answered by 'But it was made in 1930'. This is an excellent war film, and an excellent example of brilliant, visionary film-making. It has been studied in film schools for decades, analyzed by critics for even longer, and all of the praise is well-deserved. For anyone who enjoys contemporary war films, be sure to check out their obvious influence, 'All Quiet on the Western Front.'
--Shelly