As an anti-war movie, “All Quiet” does it all, taking us from the zealous war fervor among German students in WWI through the stark reality of combat to utter disallusionment. Filmed in 1930, this movie is bound to be around and appreciated as long as armed conflict continues to exist.

Even though it’s over seventy-five years old, All Quiet On The Western Front rarely seems dated or out of touch with its subject matter. The acting is melodramatic at times, but overall the performances were quite good, especially Lew Ayres’s Paul Bäumer and Louis Wolheim as the gruff Kat Katczinsky. Director Lewis Milestone created dozens of memorable moments thanks to his attention to detail: from the horrors of the battlefield to the quieter moments when the characters engage in self-reflection, every scene is painstakingly crafted and arranged. The final scene is heartbreakingly beautiful, a fitting end to such a great film.