War. The conflict between two or more parties, which has been happening constantly, since the dawn of time.
With the advent of film, there have been several filmmakers who have captured the consequences of war and the trauma that it leaves upon people. These examples include Oliver Stone’s meditation on the horrors of the Vietnam War “Platoon”, Lars von Trier’s hypnotic “Europa” and Elem Klimov’s traumatizing masterwork that is “Come and See”.
Most recently, there has been another filmmaker that can be added to the list, with his adaptation of arguably the most famous work of anti-war literature: “All Quiet on the Western Front.”
The third film adaptation of the Erich Maria Remarque novel of the same name, follows Paul Bäumer, a young German man who joins the army with his friends Ludwig, Albert and Franz, to fight in World War I.
Their romantic dreams of courage and valor are quickly shattered by the horrors and sights of war-torn battlegrounds and corpses.
In the leading role, Felix Kammerer is excellent as Paul, conveying the trauma of war that his character experiences, through his facial expressions and thousand yard stares. The anguish and breaking of spirit that Paul slowly succumbs to, shows the brilliance of Kammerer’s portrayal of this character.
Albrecht Schuch gives a fantastic supporting performance as Stanislaus “Kat” Katczinsky, an older soldier who is a mentor figure and friend to Bäumer and the others. Schuch (who recently starred in the 2020 adaptation of another famous German novel, “Berlin Alexanderplatz”) showcases why his casting was such a great choice, especially when he is discussing his struggles with illiteracy with Paul, along with talking about his wife and son back home.
In terms of the direction and adapted screenplay that he co-wrote, Edward Berger crafts a unique version of the story, in addition to adding elements that make the film more powerful, such as the fates of several characters. Along with some great performances from the cast, there is a subplot that Berger added not in the Remarque novel. This storyline involves the Armistice negotiations between German and French officials, which led to the end of World War I.
The one significant issue that I have with the inclusion of this subplot is that it drags the film down, at times feeling as though it doesn’t quite add anything to the overall film.
James Friend captures some stunning shots that are quite fitting for the subject matter of the film. For instance, there are the tracking shots of Paul as he goes through no man’s land in the midst of battle, dazed and distraught. Along with this, there is also some stark scenery of when Paul and Kat try to steal a goose from a farm, layered in snow, in occupied France. These sequences add to the immersive experience of the film.
“All Quiet on the Western Front” adapts the 1929 Remarque novel for modern cinema, in an age where war is happening once again. It is a film that is devastating and grisly, with a starkness that permeates throughout the work. It’s an adaptation that, while at times doesn’t quite work, executes its overall message quite well.
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