Directed by:
Delbert MannScreenplay:
Paul MonashCinematography:
John CoquillonComposer:
Allyn FergusonCast:
Richard Thomas, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Ian Holm, Patricia Neal, Ewan Stewart, Tomáš Juřička, David Bradley, Drahomíra Fialková, Kateřina Lírová (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
The film follows young Paul Baumer, who during World War I enlists in the Imperial German Army with many of his high school friends, after being indoctrinated by their teacher (Donald Pleasance) as to the glory and superiority of German culture. After surviving training camp under the sadistic Corporal Himmelstoss (Ian Holm), the enthusiastic young men board a troop train bound for the front lines. Ominously, at the same moment, they notice another train arriving in town loaded with wounded returning soldiers, who are carried off on stretchers. Once at the front lines, they are placed under the supervision of a pragmatic, yet good-natured older soldier, Stanislaus Katzinsky, called "Kat" (Ernest Borgnine). Kat teaches them how to best take cover, how to catch game for food, and other survival skills. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
An excellent war film that sensitively translates a book into a film. Both Richard Thomas's Paul and Ernest Borgnine as Kat, the soldiers' father, were good. The sequences from the background, which show the vast difference between the front and unsuspecting Germany, also turned out satisfactorily. For an American film, surprisingly sensitive and authentic...
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Důstojné zpracování Remarque's classic war novel. The creators had a limited budget, and the level of effects understandably corresponds to both the television production and the time of its creation. However, in terms of content and ideas, it is a powerful work, well-performed and well-directed. Overall impression: 85%. An authentic look into the dirty trenches of World War I and into the psychology of bitter soldiers devoid of all illusions.
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A likeable TV adaptation, engaging in its production design, fidelity to the source material, and likeable characters (Kat is sweet). So, basically, all fine except for Germans babbling in English and, for me, a subjective problem with some of the characters' motivations, as I'm simply a modern person and read comics quite a bit. However, a small insignificant point up for the wonderful depiction of the wartime environment.
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I thought it wouldn't hurt to revisit this timeless piece before watching the new adaptation of Remarque's classic. Admittedly, when I first watched the movie some thirty years ago, it left a more significant impact on me than it did today. Looking at the shallow and narrow trenches with a critical eye, I couldn't take the battle scenes as seriously anymore. However, considering the film is almost fifty years old now, excessive criticism seems unwarranted. From what I observed, it's crystal clear that the creators were well-versed in the book and managed to capture its core idea masterfully. While the film didn't adhere too closely to the original (a challenge unless it was a series), I dare say the author would be content with the result. The creators skillfully incorporated all the essential ideas into the plot. Despite my minor reservations, I believe that, even after all these years, this work still deserves a solid four out of five stars. / Lesson learned: When an entire generation becomes cannon fodder, there isn't much room for humor.
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