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Richard Thomas, Donald Pleasence, Patricia Neal, Ian Holm, Ernest Borgnine ... see more see more... , Mark Drewry , Mark Elliott , Dai Bradley , Mathew Evans , George Winter , Dominic Dephcott , Colin Mayes , Ewan Stewart , Simon Haywood , Kevin Stoney , Ken Hutchison , Stephen Reynolds , Ian Hastings , Denys Graham , Mary Louise Miller , Michael Sheard , Marie Noelle-Barre , Dominique Varda , Arda Brokmenn , Drahomir Fialkova , Katrina Lirova , Veronika Jenikova , Mark Roemmich , Andrew Burleigh , Tomas Juricka , Brian Purchase

Years after directing the classic Marty (1955), Delbert Mann became a creator of prestige TV movie projects, none more daunting than his adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front (1979). Richard Th... read more read more...omas stars as Paul Baumer, a teen who, at the urging of zealously patriotic teacher Kantorek (Donald Pleasence) enthusiastically enlists to fight for Germany in WWI, accompanied by several school chums. After training at the hands of the sadistic Corporal Himmelstoss (Ian Holm), Paul and his friends head for the front. There, they discover that war is a bloody, deadly business, although they are heartened by the presence of their commander, wily veteran Stanislaus Katczinsky (Ernest Borgnine). When a French soldier jumps into the bomb crater where Paul has taken refuge one night, he is forced to stab the enemy, then must watch the man die in agony. This incident and the violent deaths of his friends convince Paul that war is a senseless exercise. One of the most respected anti-war novels ever written, the book resulted in the German citizenship of author Erich Maria Remarque being revoked by the Nazi Party. Though a 1930 film adaptation by Lewis Milestone was widely beloved by fans of cinema and the source material, Mann's TV movie was well received, earning a Golden Globe and Emmys for Borgnine and Patricia Neal, who played Paul's mother. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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7,326 ratings

Unrated, 2 hr. 30 min.

Directed by: Delbert Mann

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DVD Release Date: April 23, 2002

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Flixster Reviews (344)

  • phubbs1
    December 17, 2011
    phubbs1
    Remake of the classic 1930's masterpiece which of course these days is very very old itself, never really given the respect it deserved and not classed as good as the original but I found it just as hard hitting.

    First thing I noticed was the story has been mixed up a bit, its n... read moreot in the same order as the original, everything seems to have been translated across but in different stages of the film. This does actually work because it doesn't just seem like a carbon copy, there is also allot more detail in some sequences with different ideas for setting and locations, new angles and edits upgrading the whole film somewhat.

    On the whole it does look better in places, a good example I prefer is the bleak ending in this version over the original, its still the same but made slightly differently and NOT showing the sniper. All that is heard is the fire of a rifle and then a cut to 'Baumers' hands as they react and his body slumps into the mud, possibly more effective than the original sequence.

    The cast are again decent for this adaptation with Borgnine playing the role of 'Stanislaus Katzinsky' perfectly and maybe better than the original, Pleasance as the German teacher whom regails the young German boys with propaganda and the glory of war, Holm as the over the top 'Corporal Himmelstoss' giving him a slimy, backstabbing, cowardly glow and finally 'Richard Thomas' looking just the part in his WW1 German uniform although being a little bland.

    The scope isn't quite on par with the 30's version, its still very good and very bleak but its missing that epic feel which I guess is down to it being a TV movie but is still the business. Very authentic with costumes, vehicles, landscapes, weapons etc...the battles are good but not grand but the waste of life, cheapness of life, desolation and despair is well conceived throughout, no shyness when it comes to mud soaked trenches.

    Its a shame this has been overshadowed somewhat as its a very good war film and manages to recreate WW1 just as well as its predecessor. Its rough, gritty and gives new views on what was shown before which add to the atmosphere making it a must see if you liked the 30's film.
  • liquidchick76
    July 27, 2009
    liquidchick76
    Despite some lackluster production, the performances were good (though I didn't realize Germans spoke with American, English and various ambiguous European accents). I read the book about a million years ago and didn't remember it much, but it was good to see a war story told fr... read moreom the perspective of a German soldier. It reminds the viewer that when it comes to fighting in a war, we're not very different.
  • crossbladezero
    March 21, 2011
    crossbladezero
    Though offbeat and with superb production value, the 1979 TV remake of "All Quiet On The Western Front" is fair watch, but could be greatly improved, were it to drop slowness and length, aswell as some confusion.
  • allen8221
    April 22, 2009
    allen8221
    decent made for TV movie, based off a great book about the need for peace instead of war during the WWI era
  • iconjunkie
    January 30, 2008
    iconjunkie
    It's extremely powerful and sad for a movie that we watched in school. The ending made my mouth fall open.
  • blacksnake2
    January 23, 2008
    blacksnake2
    Oscar Winning Performance by Borgnine cheated because of the "rules", as this film was shown as a TV Movie in the US and a Movie in the rest of the world, the classic "Cliff-Notes" version for those who were not forced to read the book in school is compelling and closer to the bo... read moreok than the earlier version. Sir Lew Grade, of that generation, spared no expense to "get it right", and so many years & wars on, tells the specifically timeless tale of the horrors of WW1 (gas attacks, trench warfare, mindless Prussian militarisim which was to return under Hitler, etc)...Veterans will appreciate the gritty realisim...This may be the only war-oriented "date movie" you can watch with your babe of choice, assuming she has enough brains to deal with the materiel....Not to be missed...(PS: I created a skin dedicated to this film)...
  • Twabbles
    August 12, 2007
    Twabbles
    Terribly sad movie, and somewhat long, but a good way to get a German's view point of the war for once.
  • santap8
    November 6, 2006
    santap8
    The most depressing war movie I've ever seen...crawls along at a snail's pace, but puts the right emphasis on all the right scenes.

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Critic Reviews

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
January 27, 2004
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice

All Quiet on the Western Front is a classic anti-war drama. Full Review

Emanuel Levy
July 17, 2005
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com

No review available.

Carol Cling
March 19, 2004
Carol Cling, Las Vegas Review-Journal

No review available.

Rebecca Murray
February 21, 2003
Rebecca Murray, About.com

No review available.

Geoff Andrew
February 9, 2006
Geoff Andrew, Time Out

Click to read the article Full Review

May 24, 2003
Film4

Click to read the article Full Review

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All Quiet on the Western Front Trivia

  • What is the name of the movie where the artist and all of his German friends go off to war and die?  Answer »
  • Which of the following movies does NOT take place during WWII?  Answer »
  • The following were nominated for an Academy Award for Outstanding Production in 1929-30. Which production won the Oscar? HINT: Shhh!  Answer »
  • All Quiet on the Western Front (1930), is based on a classic novel by which author:  Answer »
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