Classic 30s Movie: “All Quiet on the Western Front”

May is classic 30s movie month. Today’s guest post comes from Michael Waters.

Movie: All Quiet on the Western Front

Year: 1930

Writers: Erich Maria Remarque (book), Maxwell Anderson, George Abbott, Del Andrews

Lead Actors: Lew Ayres (Paul), Louis Wolheim (Kat)

Director: Lewis Milestone, Won the Oscar for best Director and Best Film in 1930

Plot Summary: A young soldier learns the realities of the front line in World War One.

Why I Think This Is A Classic 30s Movie

When I was a young teen this was one of two books to leave a great impression on me. I was delighted to later learn of the 1930 movie, and that it was true to the book. Both film and book work because they put the front line soldier at the centre of the story. Their day to day struggles and their small victories — stealing a pig or a double ration of food — are the things that matter. You spend time with the characters, you get to know them and that’s why you care about them. They can be funny, resourceful, engaging. This is what gives the tragedy of the cast’s death maximum meaning. Forty million deaths in WW1 is just a statistic. When you get to know the characters involved, you feel the loss when they become one of the statistics.

My Favorite Moment In The Movie

The bombardment scene where Paul is trapped in a shell hole with a dead soldier and starts talking to him. Paul’s true feelings of shame are exposed. The scene is a simple and effective piece of construction. Trap the Protagonist with what they’re doing and they are forced to confront the consequences.

My Favorite Dialogue In the Movie

The scene where Paul returns to school during his leave.

Professor Kantorek: Paul. How are you, Paul?
Paul: [somber] Glad to see you, Professor.
Professor Kantorek: You’ve come at the right moment, Baumer. Just at the right moment. And as if to prove all I have said, here is one of the first to go. A lad who sat before me on these very benches, who gave up all to serve in the first year of the war. One of the iron youth who have made Germany invincible in the field! Look at him. Sturdy and bronze and clear-eyed! The kind of soldier every one of you should envy! Paul, lad, you must speak to them. You must tell them what it means to serve your fatherland.
Paul: No, no, I can’t tell them anything.
Professor Kantorek: You must, Paul. Just a word. Just tell them how much they’re needed out there. Tell them why you went, and what it meant to you.
Paul: I can’t say anything.
Professor Kantorek: If you remember some deed of heroism, some touch of humility, tell about it.
Paul: I can’t tell you anything you don’t know. We live in the trenches out there, we fight, we try not to be killed; and sometimes we are. That’s all.
Professor Kantorek: No, no Paul.
Paul: I’ve been there. I know what it’s like.
Professor Kantorek: That’s not what one dwells on, Paul.
Paul: I heard you in here, reciting that same old stuff. Making more iron men, more young heroes. You still think it’s beautiful and sweet to die for your country, don’t you? We used to think you knew. The first bombardment taught us better. It’s dirty and painful to die for your country. When it comes to dying for your country it’s better not to die at all. There are millions out there dying for their countries, and what good is it?
Professor Kantorek: [shocked] Paul!
Paul: You asked me to tell them how much they’re needed out there. He tells you, “Go out and die” Oh, but if you’ll pardon me, it’s easier to say go out and die than it is to do it.
Student: Coward.
Paul: And it’s easier to say it, than to watch it happen.
Students: Coward. You’re a coward. Coward.
Professor Kantorek: No! No, boys, boys. I’m sorry, Baumer, but I must say…
Paul: We’ve no use talking like this. You won’t know what I mean. Only, it’s been a long while since we enlisted out of this classroom. So long, I thought maybe the whole world had learned by this time. Only now they’re sending babies, and they won’t last a week. I shouldn’t have come on leave. Up at the front you’re alive or you’re dead and that’s all. You can’t fool anybody about that very long. And up there we know we’re lost and done for whether we’re dead or alive. Three years we’ve had of it, four years. And every day a year, and every night a century. And our bodies are earth, and our thoughts are clay, and we sleep and eat with death. And we’re done for because you can’t live that way and keep anything inside you. I shouldn’t have come on leave. I’ll go back tomorrow. I’ve got four days more, but I can’t stand it here. I’ll go back tomorrow. I’m sorry.

Key Things You Should Look For When Watching This Movie

Paul’s journey is a fantastic example of a character arc.

Thanks, Michael!

To show our gratitude for your guest post, here’s a dash of creative juju for you. Whoosh!

We already have a set of classic 40s movies, 5os movies, 60s Movies, 70s movies, 80s Movies and 90s Movies. This month, we’re working on 30s movies. And thanks to the GITS community, we’ve got at least 22 movies in the works and hopefully!

Those who I put in bold have already sent me their posts. If you haven’t sent yours to me, please do so as soon as you can!!!

All Quiet on the Western Front — Michael Waters
Bride of Frankenstein — Marija Nielsen
Bringing Up Baby — Melinda Mahaffey
Captain Blood — John Arends
City Girl — Adam Westbrook
Dracula — Sheila Seaclearr
Duck Soup — David Joyner
Gone With The Wind — W. H. Morris
Gunga Din — Steve Huerta
It Happened One Night — Joni Brainerd
Make Way for Tomorrow — Susan Winchell
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington — Amber Watt
Rebecca — Katha
Snow White and the Seven Dwarves — Will King
Sabotage — Jeff Xilon
Stagecoach — Thenewlight
The 39 Steps — Felicity Flesher
The Adventures of Robin Hood — Clay Mitchell
The Petrified Forest — Rachel Sheridan
The Women — Liz Clarke
Topper — Wayne Kline
Trouble in Paradise — Vincenzo
Vampyr — Megaen Kelly

I am still looking for volunteers. If there’s a 30s movie you’d like to write about, please post your suggestion in comments or contact me via email.