Based on Erich Maria Remarque's pacifist novel and renowned as the classic anti-war movie - it details the slow but steady extermination of a group of idealistic young German soldiers in World War I - the film's strength now derives less from its admittedly powerful but highly simplistic utterances about war as waste, than from a generally excellent set of performances (Ayres especially) and an almost total reluctance to follow normal plot structure. It is in fact the often relentless depiction of unflagging warfare and suffering that eventually pummels one into feeling, rather than understanding, the film's message.
Details
Release details
Duration:
138 mins
Cast and crew
Director:
Lewis Milestone
Screenwriter:
George Abbott, Del Andrews, Maxwell Anderson
Cast:
Raymond Griffith Lew Ayres Owen Davis Jr Slim Summerville William Bakewell Russell Gleason Louis Wolheim John Wray
I just passed by a Barnes and Noble's, browsing for some CD's, when the face of this DVD caught my eye. At first it seemed intriguing, but I was a little reluctant to purchase it after looking at how old it was. I did it anyway, though, and was glad that I did. The emotional weight that this movie carries along with it is incredible, and despite a few funny flaws, the actors carried out superb performances. Six stars.
I just passed by a Barnes and Noble's, browsing for some CD's, when the face of this DVD caught my eye. At first it seemed intriguing, but I was a little reluctant to purchase it after looking at how old it was. I did it anyway, though, and was glad that I did. The emotional weight that this movie carries along with it is incredible, and despite a few funny flaws, the actors carried out superb performances. Six stars.
