I enjoyed the original B&W version which I last saw many moons ago. This looks visually excellent. I've read the book which is superb, but again a long, long time ago. As it's on Netflix (hopefully here) I'll certainly give it a go.
AmI right in thinking it's been filmed twice before, in the 30's and 70's/80's ?
QuoteAmI right in thinking it's been filmed twice before, in the 30's and 70's/80's ?
Aye, the late 70's one stars John-Boy from the Waltons.
Thought there was a 50's version as well, but got confused between this and
Paths of Glory (Stanley Kubrick/Kirk Douglas).
Quote from: Raider4 on 08 September 2022, 09:59:19 AMAye, the late 70's one stars John-Boy from the Waltons.
Thought there was a 50's version as well, but got confused between this and Paths of Glory (Stanley Kubrick/Kirk Douglas).
Thanks. "Paths of Glory" I remember because the only German you see is the singer entertaining the troops.
Typical. I cancelled my Netflix sub last week!! Choice between bingeing and painting!
You made the right choice DecemDave :!!
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 08 September 2022, 10:02:06 AMThanks. "Paths of Glory" I remember because the only German you see is the singer entertaining the troops.
And because Kubrick could do more with a selfie than some directors with half of California.
Very true
This looks pretty good, I'll add it to the list of 'Things to Watch at Some Point in The Future When I Remember!'
Watched this recently
Not as good as the silent 30s version.
No spoilers from me. . . .yet!
Quote from: howayman on 31 October 2022, 09:07:49 AMWatched this recently
Not as good as the silent 30s version.
No spoilers from me. . . .yet!
Yes, the first one with Lew Ayres as Paul is the most evocative of the war generally in my view. Having said that I also like the 1979 TV version with Richard Thomas as Paul, Ernest Borgnine as "Kat" and Ian Holm as a very unpleasant Himmelstoss. I haven't watched either for some time but I remember that the attention to detail in the 1979 version was good. The book is also well worth a read and sits alongside Mottram's Spanish Farm as my two favourite WW1 books. My late Great Uncle, who was a gunner during WW1, said that Spanish Farm was about as accurate as it got. Have they ever made a film of Spanish Fram I wonder – can't think of one?
Another film of a book by Remarque worth a look is A Time to Love and a Time to Die. Set on the Eastern Front and Germany during 1944 it has a similar anti-war theme. I haven't read the book but the film is here if anybody is interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RlVI1BnId4.
Well a good film, but I must say I preferred the 'original' B&W version, which to me was closer to the book than this latest version. But it is quite sometime since I read the book so could be wrong.
Steve J
I watched the film last night and agree with you regarding the original. I thought the characters played second fiddle to the action elements and if I recall the original correctly, there were no elements dealing with the General staff and Armistice discussions. The final sequence in the original involving the butterfly is far more evocative than the final sequences of this film. Overall very disappointed.
QuoteThe final sequence in the original involving the butterfly is far more evocative than the final sequences of this film. Overall very disappointed.
There was a bit in one of the trailers involving butterflies which was not in the film itself (I've not seen either of the earlier films or read the book).
Raider
If you have the chance I recommend you try to see it. I have a dvd but don't know if you can still get it.
Quote from: Chad on 02 November 2022, 08:57:27 AMSteve J
I watched the film last night and agree with you regarding the original. I thought the characters played second fiddle to the action elements and if I recall the original correctly, there were no elements dealing with the General staff and Armistice discussions. The final sequence in the original involving the butterfly is far more evocative than the final sequences of this film. Overall very disappointed.
Watched it last night and I agree. I thought it was a well enough made WW1 war action film, much better than 1917, but it bore little relationship to the book, or the two earlier films and misses the point entirely. One of the principal themes of the book is the changing relationship between Paul, his family and acquaintances at home, who retain their jingoistic and nationalistic attitudes, and his comrades at the front. He becomes increasingly distanced from the former, such that he feels greater affinity with the latter. This latest film completely fails to explore that and concentrates entirely on the action. The introduction of the Armistice negotiations were an addition that added nothing. The ending was a complete departure and utter BS. All we are told in the book is that Paul, the last survivor of his group, falls in October 1918 on a day that the Army, ironically, reports "Im Westen nichts Neues".
Saw B/W original many years ago. Was not too impressed... but for it's time... probably a great.
Yes... had lot of character progression. Myself... like well done action if realistic... but if you cannot 'care' about a character... not much point.
The Butterfly ending scene 'MADE' the film.
Have just re-watched 'The Pacific' TVM. A bit too much home/leave for me... but if you want character progression... and horrors of war...
Watched it today, as I've got nowt else to do with this bug.
Really thoughful and well produced war movie, I thought is played out very well.
I've not seen the originals, but I enjoyed it in it's horrific way. Deserving of its Academy Award nominations.
W
Quote from: Lord Speedy of Leighton on 31 January 2023, 09:54:58 PMWatched it today, as I've got nowt else to do with this bug.
Really thoughful and well produced war movie, I thought is played out very well.
I've not seen the originals, but I enjoyed it in it's horrific way. Deserving of its Academy Award nominations.
W
I really enjoyed it too, but I've never seen the originals or read the book, so I'm viewing it entirely as a standalone movie. I watched it in German with subtitles as well as I found the English dubbed voices far too distracting.
Watched it last night and I agree. I thought it was a well enough made WW1 war action film, much better than 1917, but it bore little relationship to the book, or the two earlier films and misses the point entirely. One of the principal themes of the book is the changing relationship between Paul, his family and acquaintances at home, who retain their jingoistic and nationalistic attitudes, and his comrades at the front. He becomes increasingly distanced from the former, such that he feels greater affinity with the latter. This latest film completely fails to explore that and concentrates entirely on the action. The introduction of the Armistice negotiations were an addition that added nothing. The ending was a complete departure and utter BS. All we are told in the book is that Paul, the last survivor of his group, falls in October 1918 on a day that the Army, ironically, reports "Im Westen nichts Neues".
Watched it last night and I agree. I thought it was a well enough made WW1 war action film, much better than 1917, but it bore little relationship to the book, or the two earlier films and misses the point entirely. One of the principal themes of the book is the changing relationship between Paul, his family and acquaintances at home, who retain their jingoistic and nationalistic attitudes, and his comrades at the front. He becomes increasingly distanced from the former, such that he feels greater affinity with the latter. This latest film completely fails to explore that and concentrates entirely on the action. The introduction of the Armistice negotiations were an addition that added nothing. The ending was a complete departure and utter BS. All we are told in the book is that Paul, the last survivor of his group, falls in October 1918 on a day that the Army, ironically, reports "Im Westen nichts Neues".
Saw it a few weeks ago on NETFLIX. I have to agree that it was well done but a huge disappointment in covering current concerns [politically correct for today] rather than being faithful to the original material. Inferior to its predecessors I suspect it will date more rapidly although it does some fresh features well, such as the tank attack. I have seen the 1930 film several times and would see it again but doubt I would want to see the 2022 film again.