Effective anti-war film... they don't call it the best of its kind for nothing

Rating: 9/10 (29 October 2006)

The original anti-war film and visualization of the Remarque novel. If this doesn't make you hate war, it is safe to say that nothing will. I watched the remake of '79 before this, and that allows me to draw comparisons(something which the high quality of both films demands). Certain decisions were made in the case of either film being produced; creative calls. Both versions have something that the other doesn't. On the whole, I'd say that this includes more of the most important scenes, apart from two major decisions(in the field of editing and revealing of information... how much the audience is allowed to know and at what point) at the end. Also, one scene close to the end wasn't included in this one, and it proved to be powerful in the later version. The plot is great, and it evolves at an excellent speed. The pacing, in general, works much better than that of the latter film. It's dreary when that works in the context of what's going on, intense when it needs to be and you're never bored. I couldn't take my eyes off the film for a single second. The acting is for the very most part exceptional, though there is some noticeable overacting(almost certainly due to the fact that this was so soon after sound came to movies... the actors simply weren't that accustomed to speaking yet). It hurts the film a little bit, but it's easily ignored. As is the comedic aspect of the film, which is just a tad too dominant and bears evidence of the humor of the time(that of The Three Stooges and the likes), though it does harm the serious tone some(if only slightly). The film is amazing. The effects are incredible. There's no Hollywood in this; no fireball explosions and no heroes. Just realistic effects and real people. The tone is bleak and unpleasant. This comes as close to how real war must feel like as is possible through the film medium(at the very least at the time it was made). The battle scenes are noisy, chaotic and unsettling. The time spent in a bunker is claustrophobic and echoes of uncertainty... what will come next? The writing is fantastic. Though lacking the story-telling crutch of voice-over narration that the later-produced film utilized, the points are made perfectly and the story well-told. The cinematography and editing are practically flawless, and work astoundingly well. The details are magnificent, so much is covered herein. I cannot help but admire the sheer amount of planning that went into this. All in all, I'd rate this a bit higher than the remake... but I urge for anyone watching one to watch the other and decide for themselves. Both are marvelous films, and both have something that the other lacks. As an anti-war film, as a piece of well-rounded film-making, and as an accurate and effective account of war, I consider this the superior of the two. The other has more steady acting and better build-up of some important plot points(the human beauty in the main character, most noticeably). I recommend that anyone who has the chance and who believes that they have the fortitude to sit through such strong and painful films watches both. Not to be missed. 9/10