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Variety
Lauded as a "harrowing, gruesome, morbid tale of war" for its compelling realism, suggesting it should be shown globally to eradicate war.
When a group of idealistic young men join the German Army during the Great War, they are assigned to the Western Front, where their patriotism is destroyed by the harsh realities of combat.
Directed byLewis Milestone
Budget$1.2 million
Critical Consensus
8.1
IMDb
91
Metacritic
7.7
TMDB
All Quiet on the Western Front received tremendous praise and universal acclaim upon its release, with critics widely lauding its realistic and harrowing portrayal of World War I warfare, earning high scores on Rotten Tomatoes and Metacritic.
The Cast
Trivia
The film was the first to win the Academy Awards for both Outstanding Production and Best Director, and it is the first Best Picture-winner based on a finished novel.
The film was shot with two cameras side by side, with one negative edited as a sound film and the other for an "International Sound Version" for non-English speaking areas.
Noted comedic actress ZaSu Pitts was originally cast as Paul's mother but her scenes were re-shot with Beryl Mercer after preview audiences laughed due to her comic reputation.
Nazi brownshirts, under Joseph Goebbels, disrupted the German premiere by setting off stink bombs, releasing white mice, and attacking audience members.
The film was banned in Germany in 1930, and also in Italy, Austria (until the 1980s), France (until 1963), and Victoria, Australia, for "pacifism."
Reviews
0 reviews
Avg: 0.0 / 5
Critics
NT
New York Daily News (Irene Thirer)
Irene Thirer praised the film for its "directional genius," sensitive performances, and remarkable camera work, expressing "praise for everyone concerned."
MM
Mike Mayo
Mayo credited Milestone's direction for its ability to place viewers "into the middle of a battlefield" and make the "hellish confusion" feel real.
RC
Rotten Tomatoes Critics Consensus
Described as a "brilliant anti-war polemic" with an unforgettable performance, effectively laying bare "the tragic foolishness at the heart of war."
M
Metacritic
The site recorded "universal acclaim" for the film, based on a weighted average score of 91 out of 100 from critics, indicating widespread approval.
Audience
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