All Quiet on the Western Front -- Why It's One of the Better Movies of 2022

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Disclaimer: All reasonable comments are welcome, including reasoned disagreements. You will be banned for foolish talk, harassment, and hate speech on sight; it's a tremendous waste of life. I believe in freedom of association and, by extension, freedom of dissociation from you.

[@williampretorius93]

Those Germans man, trust them to deliver something that isn’t sugarcoated or made to appease Hollywood. This movie didn’t over cook nor under cook. It just hit it on the head.

[@williampretorius93]

@@Franky566 I’ve seen the 1979 one

[@johnpenn8444]

They didn’t hit anything!! It was NOTHING like the book, NOTHING

[@johnpenn8444]

This ​@@hovawartfreunde4599 fella knows what’s up, when compared to the novel it is awful.

[@calvinaffinito8761]

@@johnpenn8444 I think in this case thats a good thing its the second remake it wasnt meant to try to be like the book

[@calidude1114]

Yet not a single Pickelhaube helmet shown in the movie, instead Germans are wearing WW2 helmets. This is so trash!

[@Roger-ku8cy]

The scene at the beginning of the film in which the German woman is sewing up bullet holes in the recycled uniform and the sewing machine sound morphs into the sound of a machine gun was genius. Captured the notion of “industrial war” perfectly.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@gpapa31]

I saw it at the cinema last night and I was floored to say the least. I came out thinking “I might have just watched one of the best war film of my life”. And I say this with conviction as I have seen almost every single war film under the sun (Hollywood and International). I also noticed it combines elements from various directors that I personally love (Kubrick, Spielberg, Tarkovsky, Kurosawa). Especially the calm scenes between battles showing the Forrests or a bathtub with a floating bottle in the foreground and messy building structures in the background; that is so Tarkovsky especially when every scene “breaths” snd holds for lengths. Exceptional filmmaking. Unfortunately is not s film you see on repeat, not only is violent but hell depressing and bleak till the very end.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@theoderich1168]

One German reviewer said this movie "is so good, you never want to see it again"

[@Weaselnewt]

Perfect description. It expertly gave me a hollow feeling that I don't want to experience again.

[@spartakas659]

I’ve seen it 3 times already. It’s excellent

[@markwolfe3]

I understand the sentiment. I had similar reactions to Saving Private Ryan and Schindlers List. All Quiet on the Western Front was right up there with both of them.

[@shae1547]

I completely agree with you, this is a very important film for 2022. People who want to escalate wars instead of trying for peace don't understand what it will do to all of us.

[@paulorford7921]

It's a shame that it is hard to find on cinema release. I saw it on Netflix, amazing film, the sound quality of a cinema would make it a 10/10.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

Imagine it in imax .

[@Cyberjenne]

After I finished watching it yesterday, seeing how messed up, dirty and hopeless everything was, I felt the need to clean my house for some strange reason (which I did). As if I needed to wash away the experience I just had. Amazing film and I truly wish that we get past this kind of experience in the 21st century.

[@samkitty5894]

This book was required reading in my elementary school back in Europe where I grew up. It tore me up and changed me forever. Members of my families participated on both sides of WW I and WW II. Many never came home, some were wounded, physically and mentally. None wanted to talk about the horrors they took part in, or saw. Instead, they turned to alcohol and violence. I never knew my real father, or my real uncles...My mother never knew her husband...But, deep down, I am sure they were great human beings that were forced into a situation they were not ready for. War is hell. There are no winners, only the losers. And humanity never learns from previous mistakes. Old men keep sending young men to fight their wars, to this day...

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. this is partly why this film is worth remaking, unfortunately.

[@michaelhatch718]

This can certainly be seen as an anti-war film, although Remarque didn't write the book for that reason, "This book is to be neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand fact to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped shells, were destroyed by the war."

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, that quote is overlaid on top of the opening images. My first thought with that is, "this movie is declaring it is not 1917." I'm not sure if I'm right, yet I thought it was attempting to distinguish itself.

[@wanderschlosser1857]

The book is and was an accusation to the ones in power and to everyone supporting that madness for heaving the youth and life of millions destroyed who were sent to the trenches of WWI, not only Germans. And so it is for any war that followed it! That's what makes Remarque's novel so great and still up to date!

[@GunsRbadMkay]

This was an amazing movie. So brutal and sad. Easily ONE OF MY TOP 3 favorite war films.

[@GunsRbadMkay]

@@infrnape I fixed it for you

[@nathanwilson2116]

@@infrnape have you even seen it? Could be the best world war one film ever made.

[@Moshiko926]

@@infrnape explain

[@gpapa31]

@@nathanwilson2116 ignore the negative comment, he/she in the minority. It is the best WW1 movie I have ever seen so far and easily one of the best war films ever made (some will argue the best much later when the dust has settled, and I won’t be surprised) and I have seen almost all of them (Hollywood and International productions). The balance between battlefield chaos/raw violence and slow moments in between of agony, character thoughts and exploration was absolutely perfect. I loved the battles had the production and feel of a major blockbuster but they didn’t rely on fancy Hollywood-like filmmaking techniques (insane crane or tracking shots, zoom ins/outs etc) to “cheapen” the subject and overshadow the real horror. Unlike other recent WW1 films-most notably Sam Mendes’ 1917-Berger keeps focus on the plight of the characters, not the boldness of the filmmaking. Moments of quiet humanity-Paul’s classmate Kropp’s infatuation with a girl on a French theater poster, the veteran Kat’s sliding of a beetle into an empty matchbox for safekeeping-resonate as profoundly as the ear splitting bombasts fan limb-severing wounds. Incredible filmmaking.

[@akindanon5426]

Funny enough my three top war movies are all german, Stalingrad, Das Boot and this one.

[@bobbie605]

What really got me with this movie is that we saw the version of the German forces and not like always the American or British forces. The German soldiers suffered as much as the allied forces and they also we're victim of barbarish regimes who mislead them in going into war by glorifying it

[@MsLarrythegreat]

thank you

[@verdun16]

Before, All Quiet On The Western Front (1979) was my favorite movie. In the past 3 hours, All Quiet On The Western Front (2022) is my new favorite. Also, I wouldn’t say in WW1 the Germans were the bad guys. Everyone just wanted to go home. But nice video.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks. I was saying that they are considered either the bad guys and/or the losers of the war, but not both in all contexts.

[@verdun16]

@@LearningaboutMovies oh, that makes sense. Sorry.

[@John-mf6ky]

I'm glad it's a good movie, I'm stoked to watch it later. With everything going on in the world it's actually pretty fitting that they remade this now

[@mohammaduddin7625]

This great movie was first made in 1930 and than in 1979. I was always wondering with the current technology it needed to be make again. Who’s gonna do it? Spielberg? But finally it’s here, by Netflix. Thanks! Can’t wait to see.

[@evolicious]

Germany has been kicking ass when it comes to cinema lately!

[@samkitty5894]

This new version skipped entirely the boot camp part which was a big part in the first 2 films.

[@shogun8-9]

Not Netflix. Edward Berger. Credit where it's due:)

[@3mate1]

I've been looking forward to this for over a month. I just finished the book again, in preparation for tonight. AND to top it off, I have covid and am still isolating for another day so I'm especially looking forward to this.

[@ScottyDnB]

I just reread the book beforehand too, just finished the film and thoigh it ismt particularly faithful to the book, it was a masterpiece in its own right. Blew me away, i hope you enjoyed it too.

[@calebroberts811]

Just watched it. The repeated contrast between the brutality of the front line and the posh offices and fine dining of the generals and politicians is grotesque enough. But the scene that got me was when the general is small talking with his underling about the latter’s family business making riding saddles. “They’ll always sell. Your future is safe.” The oblivious decadence and nihilism of the powerful on display throughout the film is summed up in that single line.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you, Caleb.

[@2hp749]

This movie is an absolute tour de force. The visuals, the cast, the script, the soundtrack, the directing - all of them absolutely fantastic. However I don’t recommend you let your kids watch it. At times it can be quite unsettling. But if you’re into watching great movies, and especially war movies, it’s not to be missed. Definitely the best movie of 2022 so far.

[@joh8379]

Thanks man. You got such a chill attitude. I could watch your videos for hours.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you, very much appreciate this.

[@spartakas659]

Seen through the eyes of young lads in the late trenches of the Great War. This has to be one of the best ww1 movies ever made. The battle scenes are are very true to life and very graphic. As an historian this movie is a must see.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@yosconisi]

Excited to see this now, Thanks!

[@wafflez-man-1995]

No it's already top 5 best war movies ever. That's my honest opinion. The fact that it wasnt shy from any gruesome scene. They really showed what WW1 was really about compared to 1917. Shows the true horror cycle of war.

[@nadhasthirundhitan]

Some movies are best told without a story…simply brilliant and heartbreaking. Definitely a must watch.

[@TheEngwall]

I just watched this movie, and it was fantastic! So well made. I've watched the one from the 30s, which also was fantastic, I didn't like the -79 one, it was too over dramatic from what I can remember. I was born in -89, and watched the 30s version when I was a teenager.

[@mohammaduddin7625]

Many thanks for the review.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

you're welcome. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@tacklengrapple6891]

Man, as someone whose read the original novel and seen the earlier depictions of it several times, I LOVED how visceral and horrific this new version was, but was really saddened that the filmmakers abandoned the story structure from the original novel that was so effective. They added a gimmicky “timer” aspect with the armistice approaching that I didn’t like, ala “1917”, and you really don’t get the full impact of the war on Paul’s character like you do in the earlier films. However, all that aside, Goddamn this movie was hardcore. Totally captured the nightmare aspect of trench warfare. Really brought the words of both “All Quiet” and “Storm of Steel” to life in a way I don’t think any other WW1 film can touch. Definitely a must see.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks. the question isn't whether the movie should imitate the book, but whether it is as complex as the book within its own medium.

[@AfterHoursNeon]

WOW, if this movie doesn't win an oscar, I will never respect that award again. It was a fantastic movie.

[@calvinaffinito8761]

Best Netflix movie ever period.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I wonder. It might be in my top 10 on what's original on Netflix, maybe higher.

[@DailyDamage]

One of the most impactful war films I’ve seen (and I’ve seen my share) and best filM of the year so far. Beautiful imagery combined with gritty brutality and strong character acting. Just excellent

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@believeinthelordjesuschris4679]

The ending caught me completely of guard literally

[@alanwatson4249]

Good stuff. Will watch it and get back to you.

[@Happymars24]

It's still highly debated as to whether the Germans were treated fairly at Versailles.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@dertechniker8867]

They were not treated fairly. Hopefully the whole truth will come out one day.

[@MrBugs183]

Incredible film, so few cinemas were showing it i had to make a 130 mile round trip to see it in the cinema, so pleased i did. The photography is beautiful. Just watch it.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@davidjason1164]

This film is by far the best depiction of World War One. The violence and savagery and meaningless waste of lives by generals and aristocratic idiots was brilliantly portrayed. This was unbelievably well done.

[@keithbird8910]

I want to see this on the big screen rather than on Netflix but I'm struggling to find a cinema that's showing it. (UK)

[@keithbird8910]

@@lizzielondon9995 Thanks - I'll check it out!

[@clumsydad7158]

i watched this movie for the 2nd time over the past two nights - really good, great story arc, acting, soundtrack, subtle symbolism, and relentless in portraying the impotence and idiocy war. great use of color as well - watched on higher quality tv and the 3D depth (not sure how to explain) of some scenes striking; made one feel characters were present with one in the room. an out-standing film !

[@floryda4281]

Thank you very much for the review. I read some reviews about it that were more negative. The reviewers were mostly german, and the thing about german reviewers is, is that they are overly critical or overly expectatious with german movies. And I think this happened to "all quiet on the western front". I think people were expecting something like a "one-take" from "1917" or some other obvious artistic choice to show WW1. Watching your video it became clear to me, that the director did not go for such an obvious choice, because, well, then it would have been just another "1917". I read Jünger, Remarque, Barthas, Zweig and also a few historical books about that period. I also listened to the "blueprint for armageddon" series on the Hardcore History Podcast - highly recommended. And I watched almost every WW1 movie there is - and there are far too few! Because that time period is very relevant today, even more so since February 24th. Every book, movie or piece of art that puts the WW1-period in context with our "modern" world is very much worth it! And if the director of "all quiet on the western front" managed that by showing the discrepancy between the "higher ups" and the "men in the dirt" then I am all for it!! "1917" showed the Great War as an ever-repeating nightmare, because at the end of that "one-take" story the protagonist is where he started - leaning on the tree. "Paths of glory" showed the similarities of the soldiers and the german girl on stage by having them sing the same melody - which just gets me every time I watch that movie. Another side-note, since you mentioned art quite a lot in your review: I recommend googling "Dazzle Camouflage". It was camouflage that, after the battle of Skageraag, the allied ships were painted with. Picasso saw one of those ships, which then triggered his interest in Cubism. Anyway, long comment. sorry ;-) but thanks for your review! Also: I watched "The infinite two minutes" yesterday. A 70 minute japanese indie-film which is just beautiful. Somewhere between "the fabulous world of Amelie" and "Memento"; yeah, sounds weird but it will make sense when you watch it 🙂 Take care,

[@LearningaboutMovies]

outstanding comment. thank you very much.

[@worldsendace]

Germans Just downvote because its a German movie. And thats because 90% of todays German Films are Bad. But we have gems. And this is a gem.

[@stephenkeen5737]

It's interesting that the 1930s version has a scene of them getting double rations because so many soldiers had died that they'd overcooked. I can see why they'd cut that out to focus on being starving all the time but it's an interesting food contrast between the two films.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

great point. the movie plays up the "theft" or scarcity aspect, with the soldiers stealing from the populace, obviously a common war experience since forever ago.

[@deiongoldsmith515]

I just finished watching it! I loved it! I'm glad they showed brutality and humanity all on the same coin but I love this and the '79 film! And the battle scenes were dope!

[@jonathanhjelm7979]

I would agree... this movie is a reinterpretation and not a remake... but it is not a bad thing. Parts of this film reminded me more of Storm of Steel than All Quiet on the Western Front. This version was brilliant, haunting, and dark. This movie does keep faith with the original text in that nothing about this book is meant to glorify war, but rather that war is futile and traumatic. I think some will question why this movie deviates so much from the original text - especially at the end. But, I think this reinterpretation is needed since the context of WWI changed so much after WW2. The book and the original film both were produced before the NAZIS took control of Germany - so the original audience didn't know that only a worse war was yet to come. What I suggest by this is that most historians look at the two World Wars as one war with a twenty-year peace in between. I respect that choice by this film, as I think it allows the original masterpiece to stand on its own in the context of the time that it was written. This movie has the perspective of 100 more years of history and carnage.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@clumsydad7158]

glad they remade this, especially for the new generation that is not familiar with ... may watch it someday, i'm already on-and-off depressed enuff as it is for the moment tho (-: ty

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, avoid if modern warfare is getting you down. indirectly and inadvertently, the Ukraine fiasco could be applied to the film.

[@garrettoxtal465]

In my opinion I feel as if the director of this film projected the view point of man’s greed. Erich Maria Remarque the author of the novel suggested through out the novel how man’s greed really drove the out come of the war. The Director really drove that very same idea by showing us how the French would not have a cease fire through the negotiations and well as the general continuing the fight after knowing the end of the war was minutes away. Not only has the novel and film changed my view point on war, but it has also changed my view point on life. I have truly been moved from this film and the novel.

[@1320crusier]

Storm of Steel needs a modern realistic movie made of it now too

[@spartakas659]

That book is based on a true story Ernst junger is a true hero and survivor.

[@derekavigliano4567]

This movie and 1917 are the most accurate depictions of WW1 truly horrifying

[@hpbertin]

As an Vietnam Veteran officer in an documentary once said: only people who have never been in a war think that war is a solution.

[@scorpiusgaming8523]

I was waiting for it to get released yesterday

[@PaulResford24]

2:46 Yes -- I Agree

[@RagnarLothbrok2222]

This movie was so incredibly sad and intense. Very well done

[@fredlandry6170]

This movie shows the full horrors of war, it doesn’t hold back it was very good. The cinematography was awesome.

[@Peter_Cetera]

The film is extremely impressive. Maybe not like typical US action cinema but more realistic.

[@yosefwaysman]

Thanks for this thorough review, and mentioning all these important movie references! One small correction: the 1930 movie is an American, Hollywood production, not German

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yes, thank you. I meant that its content features/favors Germans.

[@Crashking416]

Even though the director's cinematic influences are quite clear, I appreciate how this film is simply more than a "greatest hits" collection of past styles and inspirations. It acknowledges what came before, but never relies on it as a crutch.

[@clumsydad7158]

what are they, in your view?

[@CcJjGg_]

Tarkovsky and kubrick, I'm sold . Gonna check it out now

[@clumsydad7158]

oh, what a combo !

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I believe Kubrick is an intentional influence (e.g., the director, etc., had him in mind). Not sure about Tarkovsky, yet the dark woods in this movie reminded me a lot of Ivan's Childhood and Mirror. Maybe instead Come and See is being quoted.

[@CcJjGg_]

@@LearningaboutMovies also the mention of come and see and 1917 is a plus as well. I definitely see the visuals of tarkovsky

[@CcJjGg_]

I'm not much of a analyst but I felt a touch of sacrifice there too

[@YouCLTube]

Spectacular movie. One of the best movies in last years. And could be the top one about great war.

[@Cyberjenne]

Also people interested in the German perspective of WW2 watch "Generation War" on Apple TV with EN subtitles.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@dertechniker8867]

I agree, generation war is also stunning.

[@papabatsy]

Incredible movie. In a haunting way.

[@carljcreighton]

great movie! I had to watch it in installments, but everything you said is what I felt. Birth of a Nation it made me think of too just the long shots of what was happening, like matter of fact documenting of war. A great combination. And I learned a lot even! The pacing was amazing. I may disagree on this being immune to criticisms about glorifying war though because it was in and of itself a very exciting movie to watch and that experience would not be possible if not for war. Sometimes it was a little maybe too action movie with handguns being gone after that one scene but also every time I felt that way like this is a little over the top, the end result would redeem it. Yeah! great movie!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you Carl. Always great to hear from you.

[@rocketsniper8726]

Was it different from the book? In many ways, yeah. Was it good? Fuck yes it was amazing.

[@christianzale505]

This movie was really good imo. Haven’t seen the original but I’ve seen clips of it.

[@BadClamsVideos]

Just finished the movie- I really liked the movie's narrative and story. Despite the cinematography being absolutely beautiful, I found the use of colors and other aspects of it to be a bit distracting for a war movie or historical drama - takes me a bit out of the movie emotionally as I would have been had the colors and other cinematography aspects felt more natural. I love this style and cinematography choices for other genres though. Alternatively, The cinematography of Thin Red Line is wildly beautiful while feeling natural and immersive - has the opposite effect on me. I'd think a primary goal of a war movie's cinematographer would be to make me feel like I'm there and feel what the soldiers feel, or as the best one could through moving pictures, not just producing the most stylistic or beautiful frame based on other criteria.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@clumsydad7158]

yes, it's an interesting observation. personally, i enjoyed it. maybe i'm saturated with the normal dark greens and browns of a war movie. the turquoise and copper here were striking, but i understand your qualms

[@Art_Vandalay97]

I don’t want to belittle the impact and history of the Second World War but I strongly believe that the present day world can learn much more from the moral ambiguity of the First World War and the consequences of extreme nationalism. This movie shows the reasons behind that belief. The novel is my favorite book of all time but I love the choices they made to deviate from the novel. Setting the majority of the film during the peace negotiations at the end of the war just adds an extra layer of how needless and wasteful that war was. When people watch this movie I hope they read about the war and the reasons why it started if they aren’t already familiar because the war is extremely relevant now. If the conflict in Ukraine escalates to a larger scale, it may look a lot more like the First World War than the second. Sorry for the novel but this movie is definitely important an absolute 10/10

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@godzillaeatsushi4979]

This movie is unbelievable. One of my favorite war movie. I like it batter than 1917. And that saying a lot.

[@lahire4943]

I'm not sure you got it right on the French being politically the bad guys . I don't think the point of that movie was to have bad guys or good guys in that sense, except for the delusional commanders embodied by Hindenburg for instance, although it was a bit caricatural imo. About the ceasefire, the French high command, in the person of Marshal Foch, just puts pressure on the German delegation in order to get the conditions they want. He puts them in front of their own contradiction, trying to end the war as soon as possible and to save lives, but still refusing to sign the armistice even if they know they have lost the war.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Yeah, what I meant was the intercutting implies that a ceasefire could take place, and the men suffer because the French side won't negotiate with a ceasefire underway, thus the Germans suffer more casualities.

[@EquinoxIV]

Great movie. The opening is just brilliant. Especially the moment when the sound of the sewing machines patching up uniforms mirrors the sound of the machine guns, that just killed the former wearers. Absolute chilling.

[@lichtbringer2289]

You deserve an extra like for mentioning Storm of Steel.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thanks, I usually try to show books to viewers, encouraging them to read stuff. Lots of readers participate on this channel, which I am thankful for.

[@hypodrake]

Please review and watch if you haven't seen- Stalingrad from 1993

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I'll check that out. thank you.

[@clk25120]

One of the best anti war story of all time, together with Kubrick's "Paths of Glory"

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you, CLK.

[@clumsydad7158]

yes, i was suprised how great paths of glory was as i only saw it recently ... need to see it again

[@WilliamJames48]

It was quite a pleasant surprise. Just as good as the best war flicks.

[@scorpiusgaming8523]

I love this movie

[@inserthere7503]

Spoilers below In my option it is the slightest of steps down compared to the 1930s version aside from the scene were Paul walked in on the young German soldiers dead on the floor from gas that wasn’t in the 30s version I don’t think, but it’s still a possible movie of the year candidate in my opinion

[@RT-uc3ef]

One of the better films of the last decade

[@angussheldon1046]

For me I feel some of the impact of the title is lost in translation. The original title "Im Westen nichts Neues" I'd translate more directly as 'Nothing New in the West'. I feel, like I feel the film also intends to, like it asks us, the west, if we are going to learn from the mistakes of the past, or not change, and be the same West as depicted here.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I agree. The German title is much richer.

[@madsfrederiktoft5808]

So which one of the three movies do you like best? 1930? 1978? Or 2022 version?

[@LearningaboutMovies]

for 2022, this one. I can show this to any young person and they will likely get the major problems with the State as an institution.

[@samkitty5894]

They are all great. Current one is probably the best because technology helps. I just wish they didn't skip the boot camp part. But that would have made the film much longer...

[@dubsdolby9437]

An absolutely stunning brutal masterpiece. Beautifully shot in everyway even the horrific parts. It's insane to even think that humans would do this to one another and while the fat cat general's wine and dine whilst debating the ceasefire. All for a few hundred meters of gain in either direction its not even comprehenable.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@dastemplar9681]

In terms as a film adaptation, it was the least accurate one from the book. That’s not a bad thing though. I went in expecting it to just like every other adaptation just with more modern effects and cinematography. It was different in many ways, mainly it’s characters, but it does in a rather smart way that fans of the book would really appreciate. Now this is spoilers, so don’t go any further if you don’t want them, alright?? Okay, so in the book and other film adaptation, Paul goes to war with five other classmates; Albert Kropp, Friedrich Müller, Peter Leer, Franz Kemmerich, and Joseph Behm. The film only depicts three (Kropp, Müller, and Behm), but it interestly appears that they blended the characters to reduce the number on the screen. First, there’s Kropp, he was Paul’s closest friend and in the film he was killed by the French flamethrower. This isn’t the case, because in the book he loses a leg via amputation, strangely, the film decides to present the fate upon Tjaden (who actually survives in the book). After the ordeal, Kropp begins to hint in being suicidal although it never clarifies on whether he does it or not. His death in the film seems to be similar with Müller’s in the book, who was shot in the stomach by a flare gun. Then we have Müller, who honestly tends to be more like Leer in the film, so it appears that they blended the two. he was essentially the womanizer of the group, in the film, he goes missing and we never learn of his fate. In the book, again Müller died by a flare shot into him, while Leer has his hip ripped open by artillery shrapnel. Then there’s Behm, clearly this was the most obvious blend of both Behm and Kemmerich. In the film, Behm panicks like Kemmerich did in the book during the first artillery attack. In the film, Behm is found dead missing a leg, this hints to that Kemmerich since he died from complications to his leg amputation at the hospital. In the film, Behm wears glasses, now neither Behm nor Kemmerich wore glasses in the book, but it’s a nod to Behm’s death in the book. Behm was the first of Paul’s friends to die, he lost his eyes and was blinded by artillery shrapnel and to the horror and dismay of his friends, he wanders in No Man’s Land in agony before finally being killed by a machine gun. The glasses in film, may be the hint for Behm’s fate in the book.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you. I don't demand that movies even come close to repeating the books they are adapted from. I only demand the same level of artistic richness and allusivity from the film version, using the formal considerations of its medium, which is quite different than written literature. And this movie does that, I think.

[@nicholasbarrett2204]

Reminded me a lot of the German made Stalingrad from 1993. Very solid film.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@jackthomas6952]

One thing that really struck me about this movie is the level of filth one has to live in while in Trench warfare.

[@hmvollbanane1259]

The senselessness of the end of the war is historically accurate but the message is a totally different one from the one you saw in it from a German perspective. German leadership was desperate for hostilities to end at that time but later framed it as the "dagger stab to the back" by the social democrats back home, the civil politician that brokered it shown in the movie was actually assassinated over it in the 20s, so from a German pov it cleans up with this "legend" that was one of the major influences leading up to ww2. Regarding ww1 there is no good and evil, there is just tragedy and idiotic leaders on all sides. The way the terms of surrender were not negotiated was one of the main causes for ww2 shown e.g. by Hitler insisting on the French surrender in ww2 being signed in exactly the same train wagon to give you a perspective of how engrained the "national humiliation" and "dagger legend" were engrained into the German psychy at the time. (and yes the French representative of the entente indeed refused to talk until the demands were signed and decided on 11 o'clock instead of an immediate cease fire, in fact the attack at the end was historically carried out by entente forces resulting in up to 3000 deaths in the early hours of the day of armistice with the last recorded death being an American that was shot after charging alone and opening fire on a German position after just having been demoted at 10:59)

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@clumsydad7158]

yes, watching and thinking more on these things, and how political themes continue to repeat in history, one can see how the germans went for a dramatic and stark figure, to stand up to and against the french and english, to address the bolshevism of russia, and to form a strong, fascist german identity after the humiliation of ww I. stupid, but understandable, as humans continue these reactionary trends, looking for a strong figure that stands up against 'the other' and creates a simple, strident identity. humans still use these tribal ways of thinking for national issues... it will continue to be an ongoing problem.

[@n1980ization]

Such a good movie. Soo intense

[@jd2473]

Best war I’ve seen

[@Jumbocombo]

One of the best movies I've ever seen. But fuck its hard to watch

[@g1015m]

The best war movies are the best anti-war movies. I think I was being too picky about it though; it still is a great movie.

[@LA_CD]

This is how war should always be depicted.

[@pasbur86]

Aesthetically and in terms of pictures, this movie is insanely good! But the end kinda ruins it a little bit for me tbh. I think the ending of the book was perfect and i wished for the director to make a tiny bit closer to that. Now, of course it's not just a remake of the previous two movies. The sences were they are negotiating the truce in the woods is a great addition to the original story. What really frustrates me tho, is, why is the movie called 'all quiet on the western front'? At the end of the book it's unmistakably clear why it is called like that. And in the movie it's mentioned even a bit. Those two points are unsatisfying for me. The rest: remarkable! Great pictures, surprisingly great music that really adds the right amount of drama and atmosphere to the pictures. A tremendously genial main actor and as you mentioned: No pathos, no gloryfication or romanticization of war! I think that is brilliant!

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@burritobandit1427]

I finished it and I gave me depression and PTSD

[@thegoat6211]

Rip Paul and Kat😡

[@LearningaboutMovies]

Seems right. I cut out a part in the video where I said the movie probably tries to induce or simulate PTSD.

[@burritobandit1427]

@@LearningaboutMovies you should've left it in to be honestly

[@LearningaboutMovies]

yeah, it just didn't fit in the context it was in. Trying to keep the video short enough as well.

[@gianlucadenadai4434]

About the "French depicted as the bad guy in the movie", I think it is more complicated. The Germans were the agressor without a decleration of war and, at the end of the war, still in French soil (and in Belgium as well).

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.

[@audiemurphy1925]

This movie could have been good but the story was not good on the movie I didn’t care too much for the characters and the part I like the most was the French stabbing witch felt realistic and what is also sad is one of the antagonist of the 2 other films and book him Himmelstoss which was the training officer at the camp where they train but he is not seen in the movie the first 30 minutes felt like battlefield 1 and I think the movie could have been better with story and could have been a little bit more faithful to the book

[@vsvntvnv]

great movie that shows the horrors of war

[@Creamy_Dog]

I reckon all quiet on the western front would have been better as a series. I feel that they skipped over ALOT of the story, and it feels sort of like reading a book and flipping over several pages and starting from there. I still think it was a great movie tho, and definitely my favorite

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I might say it wouldn't, because the entire experience of the war, in one shot or viewing, might be the most potent.

[@samkitty5894]

They skipped the boot cam part entirely....I wish they didn't.

[@Anthonycheesman33]

2022 has been a great year for movies. This movie is great people talk about the character development it’s a war film like 1917 it doesn’t need it .

[@LearningaboutMovies]

it is possible that any supposed lack of character development is a feature. It is at least an observation that leads to fruitful interpretations.

[@AlonsoRules]

World War 1 films are limited. I wish there were more of them that depict this horrific war.

[@clumsydad7158]

this one is pretty relentless in the horrors, imo

[@Ilikemc_donalds]

Need a new world war 1 aviation movie

[@LearningaboutMovies]

please do not give Tom Cruise more ideas!

[@Sportsbreak149]

Was an excellent movie and im not a war movie person.

[@macdeath69]

Well made, stunning visuals, but they over-simplified the story and characters' development.

[@michael_dugan]

The movie wasn’t bad though I prefer the original story and movies

[@oludamilolaosofundiya2796]

This movie is excellent. A war buff like me has been converted. War is evil and no ideology,pride or cause is worth these callous slaughter of humanity

[@SweWince]

T'was a'ight

[@warriorsofftime2782]

If your looking for a great WW1 game I can't recommend Valiant Hearts enough, only game to make me cry real manly tears🤣

[@imperatorglaber1752]

Best ww1 battle scenes ever filmed

[@jimmazurek5589]

After watching this, go listen to Elton John’s song of the same title.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

I was not aware of this.

[@alexdietrich7975]

It's beautiful. And there's a good portion of moments that have me going "that's awesome", I enjoy that instead of re-creating whole scenes from the original films it mostly nods to them. Definitely a plus there, but there are some genuinely stupid moments and dull moments in the writing, and it has me going "that wouldn't happen in reality" or "why should I care?". I really am enjoying the different approach to this movie, but it doesn't feel as genuine as the previous release. Solid 6.5 or 7 out of 10, one of the prettiest movies I've seen in a while with a real aesthetic even in environments that has been done a ton of times before.

[@LearningaboutMovies]

thank you.