Title: All Quiet on the Western Front
Year: 1929/30
Starring: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, John Wray
Director: Lewis Milestone
Runtime: 2 hrs 16 mins
Is It Any Good?: Great. It’s an early war epic. Its anti-war sentiment is masked rather well, especially in the films first 15 mins, but as the script develops we see the sinister and dark side of the war. Whether they’re questioning the necessity of war itself or contemplating their own existence in this conflict the film’s message is clear. It does war on a scale you can’t imagine came out of the late 20’s early 30’s. However, the jokes in it are certainly from that period, and it is that very thing that takes me out of the film a bit. So much of this film was stuff that should not have worked in the 20’s except it absolutely does.
Memorable Quote: Paul Baumer: “You still think it’s beautiful to die for your country. The first bombardment taught us better. When it comes to dying for your country, it’s better not to die at all.”
Competition: Fair to midland. There were some great films this year. You had one of the sound eras first prison films (and still a revered one) in The Big House. The somewhat controversial film The Divorcee as well as Maurice Chevalier song and dance number The Love Parade and while the former two were probably better films in their day it is the latter that holds up more. Overall, I really think this is an unspectacular year with a game-changing winner.
Next up is one of RKO Pictures first award successes and all one of its commercial failures. It’s a western with a huge scope, and we hope you’ll join us on our journey towards 89 continues! I hope you’ll join me on this. Let me now if you’re enjoying it by following me on all the social medias @FilmSnobReviews and remember that I Love You!
