All Quiet on the Western Front (NR, 1930)

common sense media says

Classic anti-war epic tells dire, exhausting tale.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this anti-war epic from the 1930s digs into the physical, psychological, and emotional damage that war wreaks on soldiers in great detail. Soldiers are wounded and die, sometimes in agony, sometimes in a bloody mess, and sometimes slow and painfully. The war scenes are graphic, but don't compare in gruesomeness to more modern fare, and there's something about watching the black-and-white movie with old-fashioned characters that lessens the impact of the violence. That said, it's still intense and not for kids, though older teens can probably handle it. The soldiers occasionally talk about women and allude to sex. In one scene, several soldiers bring food to French women in exchange for (offscreen) intimacy.

Positive messages: The overwhelming message is that war for war's sake is wrong. It damages the lives of young men beyond what most people can understand. The film shows how propaganda and patriotism are used to romanticize war and argues for a more realistic understanding of fighting. The film depicts post-traumatic stress disorder way before there was a name for it, and shows men crying, frightened, and under enormous stress, which is unusual for a movie of this time.
Positive role models: Almost all the men are depicted as innocents with good intentions who find themselves in horrible situations. The main characters look after their friends, respect their superiors (except for one particularly bad one, who they hijack and spank when he's drunk).
Violence: Brutal war violence throughout -- and that's the point. In one scene a soldier has stabbed an enemy soldier and then regrets the act as the man slowly dies lying in a trench next to him. He begs forgiveness, promising to take care of the man's family, all while sobbing with guilt, fear, and grief.
Sex: Occasionally the soldiers (all male) discuss women longingly -- in one scene several men look at a poster of a woman and talk about her body and how they'd like to date her. In another scene, several men meet a few French woman and exchange food for offscreen sex.
Language: Occasional "hell" and "damn." Lots of yelling at others, sometimes insultingly -- like calling another soldier a "yellow rat."
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Several scenes with drinking, sometimes to severe drunkenness. These scenes almost always serve to illustrate the darkness of the war, and rarely look enjoyable. Occasional smoking of pipes, cigars, and cigarettes.

More on All Quiet on the Western Front

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about war. What beliefs do family members hold about military service, war, and the defense of one's country? Have family members been involved in wars -- either in the military or protesting against war? What stories have you heard from family or others about war?

  • Talk about propaganda films, or movies that have a strong viewpoint, like this one. What cinematic elements in this movie help convince the audience of its viewpoint?

  • Does the lack of gory, bloody, in-your-face violence lessen the impact? Why or why not?

What's the story?

What's the story?

It's World War I in Germany, and soldiers are marching through the streets, rallying young students to join the war effort. In one classroom a patriotic professor encourages his class of young men to enlist, using every military recruitment tactic in the book. In a rush of excitement, the entire class joins up. Basic training is tough, but the young men are still enthusiastic about heading to the front. Once they hit real action, however, the reality of war sets in. The men cry, wet their pants, shriek in terror, and watch their comrades die pointless deaths. As the original group shrinks, due to death and serious injury, the morale of the group sinks to horrible lows. Poor morale combined with a lack of food, severe homesickness, and the realization that even a visit back home doesn't comfort the soul drags the main character -- Paul -- into depression. But his friendship with an older soldier who has become a mentor and father figure seems like it will save him. In the end, the darkness of war wins out.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This Academy Award-winning film, based on a book by German author Erich Maria Remarque, is a classic. The story itself is powerful -- telling the utter hopelessness and despair of young men sent to fight for something they don't believe in. And the film, while old-fashioned cinematically and culturally, makes an impact with its depiction of trench warfare, camaraderie, and the emotional journey of men as they deal with loss and fear. But the film is also heavy-handed in getting its message across, which occasionally undermines its message.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Lewis Milestone
Cast: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, Russell Gleason
Genre: Drama
Run time: 136 minutes
Theatrical release: August 24, 1930
DVD release: February 6, 2007
MPAA Rating: NR

This review was written by Sierra Filucci
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

TaylorSM
parent of 5 and 13 year old
 
Perfect for MATURE kids, Age Isn't an Issue
Right when my oldest son brought the DVD home from work, I remembered watching it when I was younger. He said he showed it to his World History class (the whole class was 15+). I had to watch it first, but when I did I decided it would be a good idea for my grand kids to see. Both of them lost their parents in the Army, so they had a little more insight than some kids do already. I wouldn't recommend it for all children, but for ages 13+ and any other kids who are mature for their age should be fine. Its not near as bloody as a lot of the video games or movies a lot of kids see.

BestPicture1996
teen, 16 years old
 
Absolutely phenomenal movie, a must-see for all
The 3rd recipent of the honorable Best Picture prize, "Western Front" is easily one of the greatest movies I have ever seen, and not just about war! It shows you the graphic, painful truth, and how very young people are going into the Army and dying within their first few days; they enlisted because they thought it would be "fun." Not just for movie buffs, but for every(mature) teenager and up!

nerdgirl96
teen, 15 years old
 
good anti-war movie
Quite violent, but that's the point. It shaped my views of war a lot. Basically, the point of the movie is that war is hell. You should definitely watch it. I saw it when I was twelve.

who3697cares
teen, 18 years old
 
Truly one of the greatest movies ever made. While it's age shows, the message and themes involved are far stronger than, say, Saving Private Ryan.

 
If you like war epics, this is your movie. Mature children should be able to handle the content.

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