War films are a strange genre. They show some of the worst times in human history, full of blood, fear and destruction, and yet people can’t look away. At their best, they don’t just entertain, they leave you thinking about them long after the credits roll. And that’s exactly what many say about one film that has shocked, moved and impressed audiences around the world in recent years.
It’s based on a book written almost 100 years ago, and tells the story of a young soldier who quickly learns that war is nothing like what he was promised. The film is All Quiet on the Western Front, a 2022 German-language epic set during the First World War. It follows a teenager named Paul Bäumer who signs up with his friends full of excitement, only to be thrown into a brutal nightmare.
The movie is based on the 1929 novel by Erich Maria Remarque and is the third version to be made for screen.
This latest adaptation was directed by Edward Berger and stars Felix Kammerer, Albrecht Schuch, and Daniel Brühl.
It was released on Netflix in October 2022 and quickly received praise for its “powerful message, emotional performances and unforgettable war scenes”.
On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 90% critic score and 90% audience rating.
The film won four Oscars, including Best International Feature and Best Cinematography, and became one of the most awarded non-English films in history.
It also won seven BAFTAs and was voted by Collider as the “Best Historical Epic of All Time”.
The site said: “War is not what they expect, and the film wastes no time in presenting the horrors of the battlefield in a raw, harsh and really horrifying manner.
“With massive set pieces, excruciatingly long one-take shots and no shortage of violence and blood, it’s a horrible, painful-to-watch film that, unfortunately, is both significant and timely today.”
MovieWeb also praised the remake, calling it “a great example that sometimes a remake can be better than the original”.
They added: “The story does a fantastic job of providing insight into how so many young people get roped into participating in war. It’s a fascinating character study.”
Fans agree, with hundreds of glowing reviews online. One person wrote: “Easily the best film of 2023 and one of the best films of the 21st century.
“Gritty, incredible performances all around, stylistically impeccable, and heart-wrenching. As good as cinema gets. A rare modern-day masterpiece.”
Another said: “To put it simply, it’s the most powerful and the most brutal war film I’ve ever seen. Could not keep my eyes away from the screen for a second.”
A third added: “When the words inside a book are transformed into powerful images! All Quiet on the Western Front is a great movie that takes you to the other side of the trenches and into the eyes of a young German soldier who was sent along with others to fight a war that was not as romantic as they were told.”
And one person summed it up simply: “Best movie ever. Read the book if you love the movie.”
All Quiet on the Western Front is available to stream on Netflix.