The war going on between Russia and Ukraine made us realise a lot of things. We might not be a direct part of the situation, but it has definitely affected the entire world. In times like this we appreciate the soldiers protecting us from attacks and also question world politics.
All Quiet on the Western Front is a movie that talks about the brutality of the war and brings us a step closer to acknowledging what goes on at the borders while we are sitting in the comfort of our homes.
Set in the time of World War 1, the movie is about a few young guys, Paul Baumer, and his friends. They were quick to give their names for recruitment when war broke in Germany. Their young blood wanted to serve their country and do something for their fatherland. But when they were shifted to the battlefield, reality hit hard. The movie is based on the novel by Erich Maria. The soldiers may seem fearless, but deep within they are also hiding the fear of death. The movie narrates the story of war through a young German Soldier. Paul and his friends were a bunch of teenagers who got patriotic and excited by listening to a speech but their land of dreams was soon shattered by the brutal reality of trench warfare. Things get worse when Paul is positioned inside a trench, wearing another soldier’s jacket.
He saw how the soldiers struggled and the large-scale destruction was unacceptable to him. There has been some peace talk, and by the time the war ends, they transform into more serious men who are well aware of their surroundings. We often take sides in a war but forget the fact that soldiers from both sides are dying, and families are being left behind. Even after years, the impact of war on a country is still visible. This movie has tried very hard to do justice to the novel and we can see the hard work on the screen.
Based on a true story, the movie strongly holds its audience with its narration. The whole story is told as a first-person narrative. To be present in those conditions and experience death and disaster so closely is an unreal experience that no one truly wants to witness.
No doubt the movie has received excellent reviews, with a 7.8/10 rating on IMDb and a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. We don’t often get to watch war movies, that too based on real events. The range of emotions depicted in the movie are beyond explanation. The happiness of achieving something, the sadness of losing someone, the fear of death and the joy of victory, everything is put so nicely as the beads in the necklace that they turn out to be magnificent. You will not get any time to process your emotions as the movie is devastating and thrilling at the same time. We often forget what the world has gone through. World War 1 and WW2 are milestones in the history of earth which can never be forgotten and should always act as a lesson for mankind.
