Writer-director Edward Berger, who co-wrote the screenplay with Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell, is not trying to reinvent the wheel with All Quiet on the Western Front, but it's an effective adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel, one that offers viewers something distinct. The performances are as realistic as the story it is telling. The production design and cinematography add layers of authenticity reserved for only the best war movies, and the costumes genuinely feel lived in.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY Paul and his contemporaries romanticize the idea of patriotism and want to fight for Germany in World War I. His commitment is such that he lies about his age to enlist. After a rousing speech, he and his compatriots are certain they have made the right decision and head into battle. En route to a medical camp, his squadron has to give up their vehicle, so others can survive. On foot, the realities of battle begin to set in.
The supporting cast's performances are effective as well. Every soldier is ramped up on adrenaline to the point that it's very easy to believe they are willing to risk their lives. This is apparent even when they are joking around outside of battle. Albrecht Schuch gives a rousing performance as Paul's illiterate comrade Stanislaus Katczinsky. As Kammerer's character reads him a letter from home, Schuch emotes through held back tears and very few words.
The themes expressed in All Quiet on the Western Front are subtle, but dig deep. As Brühl's character tries to make larger-than-life humanitarian changes, Kammerer's Paul believes in the power of one man's ability to affect a cause. And characters like Schuch’s are already instilled in the system, but are so disillusioned by the current state of affairs that they are essentially sleepwalking through one of the most violent times in history.
The haunting shots of empty landscapes — that could be safe or riddled with enemies — make for an intense viewing experience. All Quiet On The Western Front does not live and die by each round of ammunition, it thrives through personal connections and incredible shots of stunned faces covered in soot. There is an inevitable dullness that sets in with period pieces like this one, but Berger has control of the screen and immerses the audience in a time when war was a focus.