list http://www.spout.com/ Recent community activity around All Quiet on the Western Front on Spout Copyright 2005-9 Spout, LLC Spout RSS http://www.spout.com/images/SpoutLogoRSS.jpg http://www.spout.com/ 136 30 http://www.spout.com/films/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front/906/default.aspx Title: All Quiet on the Western Front
Year: 1930
Director: Lewis Milestone
Plot: One of the most powerful anti-war statements ever put on film, this gut-wrenching story concerns a group of friends who join the Army during World War I and are assigned to the Western Front, where their fiery patriotism is quickly turned to horror and misery by the harsh realities of combat. Director Lewis Milestone pioneered the use of the sweeping crane shot to capture a ghastly battlefield panorama of death and mud, and the cast, led by Lew Ayres, is terrific. It's hard to pick a favorite scene, but the finale, as Ayres stretches from his trench to catch a butterfly, is one of the most devastating sequences of the decade. The film won Oscars for Best Picture and for Milestone's direction -- and trivia buffs should note that the actors were coached by future luminary George Cukor, while Ayres became a conscientious objector in World War II. The Road Back (1937) followed, and the film was remade for television in 1979. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
Times Tagged: 31
Number of Lists: 29
Number of blog posts: 3
Number of discussion threads: 3
SpoutRating: 4
]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:56:58 GMTAll Quiet on the Western Front1930Lewis MilestoneOne of the most powerful anti-war statements ever put on film, this gut-wrenching story concerns a group of friends who join the Army during World War I and are assigned to the Western Front, where their fiery patriotism is quickly turned to horror and misery by the harsh realities of combat. Director <a href="/players/P___102806/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Lewis Milestone</a> pioneered the use of the sweeping crane shot to capture a ghastly battlefield panorama of death and mud, and the cast, led by <a href="/players/P_____3047/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>Lew Ayres</a>, is terrific. It's hard to pick a favorite scene, but the finale, as Ayres stretches from his trench to catch a butterfly, is one of the most devastating sequences of the decade. The film won Oscars for Best Picture and for Milestone's direction -- and trivia buffs should note that the actors were coached by future luminary <a href="/players/P____86340/default.aspx" style='text-decoration:underline'>George Cukor</a>, while Ayres became a conscientious objector in World War II. <a href=/films/90210/default.aspx style='text-decoration:underline'>The Road Back</a> (1937) followed, and the film was remade for television in 1979. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide31Tag Target (>10)29334http://www.spout.com/ProductImages/t91101oftzr.jpghttp://www.spout.com/films/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front/906/default.aspxFilm http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2009/6/11/42622.aspx Post By: pippin06
Post To: Reel Thoughts
Post Date: 6/11/2009 9:56:58 PM
Body: What's the AFI Project, you ask? For more information, or if you just enjoy my bemused ramblings, read here: http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/3/1/25756.aspx All Quiet on the Western Front is on the following AFI lists: The Original Top 100 (#54)10 Top 10's (#7 Epic) I saw All Quiet on the Western Front a first time when I was attempting to complete this project previously. I think I have also seen the 70s version (which, if I'm not mistaken, sets it in a different war that the First World War). I remember liking it and thinking it was powerful on the first viewing, an opinion that remains true today, after watching it a second time instantly on Netflix. This film is a marvel for the year in which it was released: it contains a potent anti-war message and intensely realistic action that laid the groundwork for many a war film to follow it. While some may feel that the film is dated (and, yes, it is), there are elements of the film that will endure, forever timeless, which is why I think the AFI saw fit to rank this film on its original list and rightly so. All Quiet on the Western Front tells the story of several young German boys, urged to enlist in the army and fight for their country against the Allies in the first world war. The viewer then watches as the boys transform, from wide-eyed, patriotic innocence to cynical and world-weary veterans, conditioned by the hardships of battle and the constant exposure to death. The plot is no more complicated than that, and while the cast is led by Lew Ayers, it is otherwise an ensemble of unknowns, who made this film almost 80 years ago. All Quiet on the Western Front is as powerful as it is because it broaches and utilizes many controversial aspects. There are reviewers before me who criticize the film's datedness, attributing its perceived quaintness and time capsule quality to the fact that it predates the atrocities of even World War II and the future beyond. I would argue that it is precisely this quality that makes the film intensely more resonant than any other element, a quality that lends a spookiness to the proceedings because modern viewers know what history produced. Consider the stroke of genius in telling the story from the German perspective; after all, they led the Axis powers into World War I and later produced one of history's greatest tyrants, but the soldiers that fought for their side were naive young men just like those in any other army that fought in the Great War or other wars before or since. The acting ensemble was also superb; yes, they were a bit "theatrical" (what does one expect for 1930), but they were also unadulterated in their performances and portrayls of the fear, anguish, guilt, and other emotions brought on in a war. I imagine these portrayals may have been quite shocking to contemporary viewers. In fact, it's the realism of this piece that is its single most impressive element. The battle scenes are actually quite intense and so creatively filmed. The information on the movie's Spout page indicates that Director Lewis Milestone pioneered the sweeping crane shot to capture panoramic scenes of death and destruction. That may be true, but I was most impressed with the cinematography and inventive uses of lighting and sound to make the atmosphere of battle so real, so palpable and made even more impressive by its digital remastering. I sometimes marvel at how early filmmakers had to be so much more creative and resourceful in their application of the motion picture, and this film should stand up as a testament of such pioneering filmmaking. Surprisingly, the film did not make the AFI's Revised list (even if it registered on one of the ten top 10's - though is it really an epic?). It was replaced by M*A*S*H (originally number 56 and the next film on my AFI countdown, as I've already reviewed The Sound of Music). I wonder why. This is a film that I would argue is a great American film and in many ways propelled filmmaking technology forward as much as Milestone's predecessors, including D.W. Griffith. Now, granted, the film isn't perfect. Aside from its eighty years of age, it's nearly three hours long and drags tangibly in spots. Some of the acting and written dialogue is really very cheesy too, but this is a film from the early days of talkies, so I think some forgiveness is owed the picture. The ending is perfection, though. If I could rank movie endings as the AFI did films, I would put the ending to All Quiet on the Western Front amongst the top ten at least. It was another brilliant stroke of genius on the director's part and all at once encapsulated the themes of the story in the loss of innocence and contrast of the beauty of life to the ugliness brought on by war (and resulting death). As ratings go, I'm inclined to award the antiquated but awesome All Quiet on the Western Front with an 8.5, between minor flaws/very good and perfectly entertaining, though I would say I love the film because I love the concept and the decidedly avant garde message during a decade when anti-war statements might have been construed as unpatriotic. As to the test, however, this one's not a keeper for me. As I indicated, the film drags, and I've already seen it repeatedly. I highly recommend the film, though, to anyone who likes watching war films, who likes exploring early cinema, who likes comparing and contrasting filmmaking techniques, or who can relate to the film's themes. It's undeniable that this film was far ahead of its time in all of those respects.
]]>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 01:56:58 GMTpippin06Reel Thoughts6/11/2009 9:56:58 PMWhat's the AFI Project, you ask? For more information, or if you just enjoy my bemused ramblings, read here: http://www.spout.com/blogs/pippin06/archive/2008/3/1/25756.aspx All Quiet on the Western Front is on the following AFI lists: The Original Top 100 (#54)10 Top 10's (#7 Epic) I saw All Quiet on the Western Front a first time when I was attempting to complete this project previously. I think I have also seen the 70s version (which, if I'm not mistaken, sets it in a different war that the First World War). I remember liking it and thinking it was powerful on the first viewing, an opinion that remains true today, after watching it a second time instantly on Netflix. This film is a marvel for the year in which it was released: it contains a potent anti-war message and intensely realistic action that laid the groundwork for many a war film to follow it. While some may feel that the film is dated (and, yes, it is), there are elements of the film that will endure, forever timeless, which is why I think the AFI saw fit to rank this film on its original list and rightly so. All Quiet on the Western Front tells the story of several young German boys, urged to enlist in the army and fight for their country against the Allies in the first world war. The viewer then watches as the boys transform, from wide-eyed, patriotic innocence to cynical and world-weary veterans, conditioned by the hardships of battle and the constant exposure to death. The plot is no more complicated than that, and while the cast is led by Lew Ayers, it is otherwise an ensemble of unknowns, who made this film almost 80 years ago. All Quiet on the Western Front is as powerful as it is because it broaches and utilizes many controversial aspects. There are reviewers before me who criticize the film's datedness, attributing its perceived quaintness and time capsule quality to the fact that it predates the atrocities of even World War II and the future beyond. I would argue that it is precisely this quality that makes the film intensely more resonant than any other element, a quality that lends a spookiness to the proceedings because modern viewers know what history produced. Consider the stroke of genius in telling the story from the German perspective; after all, they led the Axis powers into World War I and later produced one of history's greatest tyrants, but the soldiers that fought for their side were naive young men just like those in any other army that fought in the Great War or other wars before or since. The acting ensemble was also superb; yes, they were a bit "theatrical" (what does one expect for 1930), but they were also unadulterated in their performances and portrayls of the fear, anguish, guilt, and other emotions brought on in a war. I imagine these portrayals may have been quite shocking to contemporary viewers. In fact, it's the realism of this piece that is its single most impressive element. The battle scenes are actually quite intense and so creatively filmed. The information on the movie's Spout page indicates that Director Lewis Milestone pioneered the sweeping crane shot to capture panoramic scenes of death and destruction. That may be true, but I was most impressed with the cinematography and inventive uses of lighting and sound to make the atmosphere of battle so real, so palpable and made even more impressive by its digital remastering. I sometimes marvel at how early filmmakers had to be so much more creative and resourceful in their application of the motion picture, and this film should stand up as a testament of such pioneering filmmaking. Surprisingly, the film did not make the AFI's Revised list (even if it registered on one of the ten top 10's - though is it really an epic?). It was replaced by M*A*S*H (originally number 56 and the next film on my AFI countdown, as I've already reviewed The Sound of Music). I wonder why. This is a film that I would argue is a great American film and in many ways propelled filmmaking technology forward as much as Milestone's predecessors, including D.W. Griffith. Now, granted, the film isn't perfect. Aside from its eighty years of age, it's nearly three hours long and drags tangibly in spots. Some of the acting and written dialogue is really very cheesy too, but this is a film from the early days of talkies, so I think some forgiveness is owed the picture. The ending is perfection, though. If I could rank movie endings as the AFI did films, I would put the ending to All Quiet on the Western Front amongst the top ten at least. It was another brilliant stroke of genius on the director's part and all at once encapsulated the themes of the story in the loss of innocence and contrast of the beauty of life to the ugliness brought on by war (and resulting death). As ratings go, I'm inclined to award the antiquated but awesome All Quiet on the Western Front with an 8.5, between minor flaws/very good and perfectly entertaining, though I would say I love the film because I love the concept and the decidedly avant garde message during a decade when anti-war statements might have been construed as unpatriotic. As to the test, however, this one's not a keeper for me. As I indicated, the film drags, and I've already seen it repeatedly. I highly recommend the film, though, to anyone who likes watching war films, who likes exploring early cinema, who likes comparing and contrasting filmmaking techniques, or who can relate to the film's themes. It's undeniable that this film was far ahead of its time in all of those respects. http://www.spout.com/groups/Filmgaming/Re_TOP_5_MOVIES_TO_TEACH_AN_ALIEN_ABOUT_EARTH/563/31895/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: eguy
Post To: Filmgaming
Post Date: 6/30/2008 12:32:49 PM
Body: My goal for these films would be to teach the aliens about who we are now so what better way to do then by teaching them about who we use to be!To teach them about the cold war a recent event in world history:The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1964) To teach them about both Japan, important for the 20th century, and world war two: Millennium Actress (2001) To teach them about the USA in the last 50 years:Forrest Gump (1994)To try to scratch the surface of the history of European colonization:Zulu (1964) To show an amazing world war one film:All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
]]>Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:32:49 GMTeguyFilmgaming6/30/2008 12:32:49 PMMy goal for these films would be to teach the aliens about who we are now so what better way to do then by teaching them about who we use to be!To teach them about the cold war a recent event in world history:The Spy Who Came in from the Cold (1964) To teach them about both Japan, important for the 20th century, and world war two: Millennium Actress (2001) To teach them about the USA in the last 50 years:Forrest Gump (1994)To try to scratch the surface of the history of European colonization:Zulu (1964) To show an amazing world war one film:All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) http://www.spout.com/blogs/jakestevens/archive/2007/11/5/21451.aspx Post By: JakeStevens
Post To: JakeStevens Blog
Post Date: 11/5/2007 8:34:17 PM
Body: I watched this once a long time ago, and I must admit, I was kind of upset that I wasted my money on this old ass film. But I held onto the DVD, knowing one day I'd pop it in again to give it another chance. That day came, and I found myself enjoying the quaint-ness of the film rather than the film itself. It's a curio to me to see a film made before the horrifying tragedy that was WWII, and knowing that the people who made this film had no idea of what was to come. Yes, some of the scenes are very theatrical, but the message as clear today as when it was made, and I believe the "butterfly" scene examplifies that sentiment beautifully. If you're wanting to watch it, go into it knowing it's extremely dated, and maybe you won't have to eat your words like I did.
]]>Tue, 06 Nov 2007 01:34:17 GMTJakeStevensJakeStevens Blog11/5/2007 8:34:17 PMI watched this once a long time ago, and I must admit, I was kind of upset that I wasted my money on this old ass film. But I held onto the DVD, knowing one day I&#39;d pop it in again to give it another chance. That day came, and I found myself enjoying the quaint-ness of the film rather than the film itself. It&#39;s a curio to me to see a film made before the horrifying tragedy that was WWII, and knowing that the people who made this film had no idea of what was to come. Yes, some of the scenes are very theatrical, but the message as clear today as when it was made, and I believe the &quot;butterfly&quot; scene examplifies that sentiment beautifully. If you&#39;re wanting to watch it, go into it knowing it&#39;s extremely dated, and maybe you won&#39;t have to eat your words like I did. http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Re_Top_War_Films/190/21055/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: FastBoat710
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 10/22/2007 12:53:25 PM
Body: 1.  I'll throw Das Boot Out there; definitely my favorite war movie.  Gripping realism, etc. that make a good war movie.  There's one scene in the beginning when they are on the bridge and the Captain tells the photographer to stop taking pictures until the men have their beards, because he doesn't want the British to see they are being killed by children.  Unbelievable scene.  The only way it could be more realistic is if they tacked on another three hours of just watching people clean.2.  All Quiet On The Western Front.  Another anti-war, war movie and another film from this list that is one of my favorite films of all time.  There is no glory of war shown in this movie.3. Dr. Strangelove:  I'm never too sure whether I should throw this in the war movies category or not.  It's my favorite movie and usually consider it one of my favorite war movies, but can never quite figure out where it belonds.4.  Apocolypse Now:  I actually never consider this a war movie until it comes to making a list about war movies.  More a movie about what an extreme situation will do to someone and how the executioners are always so much like the condemned.  5. Paths Of Glory:  Kubrick is my favorite director and this is one of the reason's.  All the movies on my list seem to be anti-war war movies and thinking a little further on that, I can't think of many pro or neutral war movies.  The only pro movie about war I can think of is, The Green Berets, which John Wayne did to shed some positive light on Vietnam.  I don't know if it worked, all I know is it kept me from seeing the sexy Mr. Sulu for almost half a season of Star Trek. Any movies someone can think of that are glorifying war? What about Starship Troopers as one of the best war movies of all time?  First time I saw it, I lost interest, but after a couple of years I came back to it and saw all the politics.  Verhoeven is a great director and seems to use sci-fi to get to the core of modern politics.  And as a sidenote, the novel, Starship Troopers is required reading of Marine Corps officers in military ethics.  The question is, can Starship Troopers be a war movie like All Quiet On The Western Front is a war movie?  It definitely gives a nod to Western Front for sure, but is it up there in the category of movies such as that?
]]>Mon, 22 Oct 2007 16:53:25 GMTFastBoat710Top 510/22/2007 12:53:25 PM1.  I&#39;ll throw Das Boot Out there; definitely my favorite war movie.  Gripping realism, etc. that make a good war movie.  There&#39;s one scene in the beginning when they are on the bridge and the Captain tells the photographer to stop taking pictures until the men have their beards, because he doesn&#39;t want the British to see they are being killed by children.  Unbelievable scene.  The only way it could be more realistic is if they tacked on another three hours of just watching people clean.2.  All Quiet On The Western Front.  Another anti-war, war movie and another film from this list that is one of my favorite films of all time.  There is no glory of war shown in this movie.3. Dr. Strangelove:  I&#39;m never too sure whether I should throw this in the war movies category or not.  It&#39;s my favorite movie and usually consider it one of my favorite war movies, but can never quite figure out where it belonds.4.  Apocolypse Now:  I actually never consider this a war movie until it comes to making a list about war movies.  More a movie about what an extreme situation will do to someone and how the executioners are always so much like the condemned.  5. Paths Of Glory:  Kubrick is my favorite director and this is one of the reason&#39;s.  All the movies on my list seem to be anti-war war movies and thinking a little further on that, I can&#39;t think of many pro or neutral war movies.  The only pro movie about war I can think of is, The Green Berets, which John Wayne did to shed some positive light on Vietnam.  I don&#39;t know if it worked, all I know is it kept me from seeing the sexy Mr. Sulu for almost half a season of Star Trek. Any movies someone can think of that are glorifying war? What about Starship Troopers as one of the best war movies of all time?  First time I saw it, I lost interest, but after a couple of years I came back to it and saw all the politics.  Verhoeven is a great director and seems to use sci-fi to get to the core of modern politics.  And as a sidenote, the novel, Starship Troopers is required reading of Marine Corps officers in military ethics.  The question is, can Starship Troopers be a war movie like All Quiet On The Western Front is a war movie?  It definitely gives a nod to Western Front for sure, but is it up there in the category of movies such as that? http://www.spout.com/blogs/chesterfilms/archive/2007/5/13/8714.aspx Post By: chesterfilms
Post To: chesterfilms Blog
Post Date: 5/13/2007 10:04:02 PM
Body: 1. Apocalypse Now - It's not only my favorite war film, but one of my favorite films period. It's hard to say anything about this film that hasn't already been said many times before. It's just perfect from the direction, writing, cast and soundtrack. The Ride Of The Valkyries scenes is still one of the greatest ever filmed. 2. The Deer Hunter - A heartbreaking film that's got one of the greatest cast ever assembled. The Russian Roulette scene goes under my top 5 uncomfortable moments. 3. Saving Private Ryan - I know many people consider this to be way overrated, but it's a film that left such an imprint on me. 4. The Thin Red Line - As with all of Malick's films, Thin Red Line is a sobering and contemplative masterpiece. 5. All Quiet On The Western Front - Told from a completely different point of view than most other War films. This thing holds like crazy! Here are some honorable mentions that almost made my Top 5: Overlord Full Metal Jacket Paths Of Glory
]]>Mon, 14 May 2007 02:04:02 GMTchesterfilmschesterfilms Blog5/13/2007 10:04:02 PM1. Apocalypse Now - It&#39;s not only my favorite war film, but one of my favorite films period. It&#39;s hard to say anything about this film that hasn&#39;t already been said many times before. It&#39;s just perfect from the direction, writing, cast and soundtrack. The Ride Of The Valkyries scenes is still one of the greatest ever filmed. 2. The Deer Hunter - A heartbreaking film that&#39;s got one of the greatest cast ever assembled. The Russian Roulette scene goes under my top 5 uncomfortable moments. 3. Saving Private Ryan - I know many people consider this to be way overrated, but it&#39;s a film that left such an imprint on me. 4. The Thin Red Line - As with all of Malick&#39;s films, Thin Red Line is a sobering and contemplative masterpiece. 5. All Quiet On The Western Front - Told from a completely different point of view than most other War films. This thing holds like crazy! Here are some honorable mentions that almost made my Top 5: Overlord Full Metal Jacket Paths Of Glory http://www.spout.com/groups/Top_5/Re_Top_War_Films/190/6993/1/ShowPost.aspx Post By: josephkuzma
Post To: Top 5
Post Date: 4/12/2007 10:40:30 PM
Body: Did anyone mention All Quiet On The Western Front? The original, not the remake. The only thing the remake had going for it was Ian Holm.
]]>Fri, 13 Apr 2007 02:40:30 GMTjosephkuzmaTop 54/12/2007 10:40:30 PMDid anyone mention All Quiet On The Western Front? The original, not the remake. The only thing the remake had going for it was Ian Holm. http://www.spout.com/members/0/tags/Classic/MemberTagFilms.aspxClassic
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