ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT – Lew Ayres – d: Lewis Milestone
All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)
Direction: Lewis Milestone
Screenplay: Maxwell Anderson, George Abbott, Del Andrews; from Erich Maria Remarque’s novel
Cast: Lew Ayres, Louis Wolheim, Russell Gleason, John Wray, William Bakewell, Raymond Griffith, Beryl Mercer, Ben Alexander, Slim Summerville, Yola D’Avril
Lew Ayres in All Quiet on the Western Front
Synopsis:
World War I: A group of German schoolboys soon learn that war has absolutely nothing to do with either glory or heroics.
Pros:
- Nearly eight decades after its release, All Quiet on the Western Front remains — in my ever-so-humble opinion — the best war movie ever made. From the first sequences when the German schoolboys are all eager to take up arms to fight for Fatherland, Honor, and Glory to the very last scenes — a hand stretching out to reach for a butterfly; young faces marching to their death — director Lewis Milestone, and screenwriters Maxwell Anderson, George Abbott, and Del Andrews never make a false or unnecessary move in this immensely touching anti-war drama.
- Lew Ayres, though at the time an inexperienced actor, brings a highly effective freshness to the role of the idealistic schoolboy turned disillusioned soldier. Ayres’ acting is hardly subtle, but it’s undeniably honest. In a brief supporting role, Beryl Mercer (replacing ZaSu Pitts in the film’s silent version) is perfect as the young man’s mother.
- Arthur Edeson’s wonderfully evocative cinematography.
Cons:
- If you’re not used to early talkies, All Quiet on the Western Front will seem creaky and/or dated at times. Some of the acting comes across as silent-movie style, which was not uncommon at the time.
The Question Mark:
- A sequence featuring nude soldiers bathing in a lake was later cut from the film. I’m not sure if that’s ever been restored.
In Sum:
Those who love the idea of war and militarism should avoid All Quiet on the Western Front at all costs. All others should watch it at least once. I dare you not to be moved to tears at the finale.
2 Academy Award Wins
Best Picture
Best Director: Lewis Milestone
2 Academy Award Nominations
Best Screenplay: George Abbott, Maxwell Anderson, Del Andrews
Best Cinematography: Arthur Edeson
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Tags: All Quiet on the Western Front, Arthur Edeson, Classic Movies, Del Andrews, Film Reviews, George Abbott, Lew Ayres, Lewis Milestone, Maxwell Anderson, Oscar 1930, Oscar Movies
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