All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

All Quiet on the Western Front (Im Westen Nichts Neues) is a 1979 film, based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque. The film is a new film adaptation of the 1930s version. The film tells the story of Paul Baumer, who served in the German army during the first world war. ==Story[ Edit] == Paul Baumer is a German student who keeps a lot of signs. Baumer draws especially birds. The first world war, however, is under way, leaving no place for art. Because Pauls class almost graduate, encourages them to their teacher to enlist in the army. Very Pauls class does this. They think that the army is just cozy and briefly takes but soon it turns out to be a hell. First they go to an army barracks, where they are trained to be soldier. Pauls class will be taught by the sadistic corporal Himmelstoss, which teaches them just nonsensical maneuvers and an unfair policy. If Himmelstoss once goes too far, Paul and his friends take revenge by to overtake and humiliate him.

After their training Paul and his friends go to the army. They are led by Stanislav Katzinsky. Katzinsky is an old, experienced soldier, which everyone Cat calls. Cat teaches his soldiers the things you really need in the army. Soon the young soldiers that war is not a game. The first acquaintances are already killed and the soldiers live with high uncertainty. They try to maintain their merry sides in spite of everything. Himmelstoss is also transferred to the army in the barracks, after he has gone too far, what the soldiers back is reminiscent of their carefree time.

The soldiers were at first very willing to fight for Emperor and homeland, but when they find out that not the true heroes, but also get a Ribbon as cowards Himmelstoss they begin to doubt the German directors. Paul is seriously faced, as he is at night, when there is no fight, a French soldier kills and here some hours in a trench is located. This makes him remember that the French soldiers not unscrupulous samples, but ordinary people with a helmet, a uniform and a gun are. He also realizes the sheer madness of war. Paul and some friends also come in contact with French girls. The realization calls to him by that for the civilian lives remained, and that is quite simply French and German citizens, in spite of everything, still able to deal well with each other.

If Paul is injured on the battlefield, he must go to the hospital. There he is patched, but he is also faced with soldiers who would rather put an end to that than to go on living, under these conditions. Paul may leave home. He comes home, however, that he no longer can be happy. He is so used to war, that he is happy now to the front. He attributes his sick mother a suicide note and go away in time with his family. He returns to the front, where many of his friends know him now died. There are only a few acquaintances about, including cat. The soldiers are also becoming younger and inexperienced.

Shortly after Paul's return is Cat hit by a shrapnel. Cat realizes that the end of the war is near and thinks he is going to die. Paul carries him on his shoulders to the hospital. On arrival reveals Cat to have died. Paul's even more acquaintances die shortly thereafter. The only remnant of Pauls class are now he, and his friend Albert Kropp, who is in hospital.

It is 1918. The end of the war is close, and there is a temporary ceasefire. Paul is the most experienced soldier on the front and so the new captain. He writes a letter to Kropp, in which he reports the current situation.Then Paul hears a bird whistle. When he looks up he sees a bird sitting on a branch. He feels again that carefree student a few years ago. He picks up a leaf and begins to draw the bird. In doing so, he forgets the possible danger and he stands up. Despite the truce is Paul by a French soldier shot. With the half finished drawing, clutching in his hand, Paul dies. His former hobby and his last remnant of boys hope cost him his life.

The film ends with a quote from a letter from an army officer, stating that there's no news from the Western front. ==Division Of Roles[ Edit] ==
 * Richard Thomas -Paul Baumer
 * Ernest Borgnine -Stanislav "Cat" Katzinsky
 * Donald Pleasence -Kantorek (the teacher)
 * Ian Holm -Corporal Himmelstoss
 * Patricia Neal -Pauls mother
 * Paul Mark Elliott -Joseph Behm
 * David Bradley -Albert Kropp
 * George Winter -Franz Kemmerich
 * Dominic Jephcott -Peter Learn
 * Mark Drewry -Tjaden
 * Colin Mayes -Westus
 * Ewan Stewart -Detering
 * Michael Sheard -Pauls father
 * Katerina Lirova -Pauls sister
 * Mary Miller -Mrs Kemmerich