"All Quiet on the Western Front," a classic film that won the 1930 Academy Award for Best Picture, is hailed as one of the greatest anti-war films of all time for its profound anti-war theme and exceptional artistic achievements. Spanning 133 minutes, the film narrates the story of World War I from the German perspective.
Under the influence of their principal's nationalist and heroic rhetoric, seven classmates decisively abandon their studies to join the battlefield. Paul, the film's protagonist, once aspired to become the next Goethe or Schiller. However, the battlefield's relentless artillery, hunger, and the deaths of his comrades gradually shatter his romantic ideals. He begins to question the meaning of war, concluding that "every adult emperor needs a war to make a name for themselves. Generals too, they need war. Manufacturers profit from it."
A pair of fine boots serves as a memorable prop in the film. After Franz's death, Müller dons his boots and continues fighting. The camera follows these boots as they change owners repeatedly until the wearer falls amidst the gunfire. Through the simple depiction of the boots and several well-edited shots, the director vividly portrays the loss of young lives.
The film’s most iconic scene is its final one. Paul stands up in the trench to catch a butterfly and is shot by an enemy. The director uses the sound of the gunshot, the image of the butterfly on the ground, and Paul's falling hand to convey his fate. At this poignant moment, the film abruptly ends. The camera then cuts back to the scene where the seven young men look back at the camera during their march, foreshadowing their ultimate fate.
As the third film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, "All Quiet on the Western Front" offers a level of intellectual depth far surpassing that of its predecessors. Paul’s transformation is depicted clearly and naturally, evolving from romantic fantasies to profound despair and doubt, showcasing the dehumanizing effects of war. Through its sorrowful tone, the film powerfully conveys its anti-war message. Paul cannot endure the hypocritical nationalist sermons and agitation of those on the home front; he would rather return to the straightforward life-and-death struggle of the battlefield. Perhaps, in death, he finds a more honest and honorable fate.
"All Quiet on the Western Front" is not just a war film; it is a profound work that exposes the brutality of war and reflects on the depths of human nature. Through its detailed plot and specific scenes, the film deeply conveys its contemplation of war and respect for life.