All Quiet on the Western Front (1979 film)
An anti-war television film depicting World War I's horrors.
All Quiet on the Western Front is a 1979 television film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's novel, produced by ITC Entertainment. Directed by Delbert Mann, the British-American production stars Richard Thomas and Ernest Borgnine. It is noted as an epic anti-war film, with most filming taking place in Czechoslovakia.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Drama; War
- Writer
- Paul Monash
- Director
- Delbert Mann
- Based on
- All Quiet on the Western Front, Erich Maria Remarque
- Starring
- Richard Thomas
- Ernest Borgnine
- Donald Pleasence
- Ian Holm
- Patricia Neal
- Dai Bradley
- Music
- Allyn Ferguson
- Country
- United States/United Kingdom
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In 1914, 18-year-old Paul Bäumer and five school friends enlist in the German army after their teacher Kantorek indoctrinates them about German cultural superiority. Under Corporal Himmelstoss, a harsh disciplinarian, they survive training camp before boarding a troop train for the Western Front, passing another train of returning wounded. At the front, they join a squad led by Stanislaus "Kat" Katzinsky, an older reservist who teaches survival skills. During rotations into French billets, a replacement draft led by Himmelstoss arrives, but the soldiers no longer fear him. The armies repeatedly attack over torn, corpse-strewn land; Paul forces Himmelstoss to keep up during one assault. Kemmerich is wounded and dies in an overcrowded hospital. Paul stabs a French soldier in a crater, tries to bandage him, and escapes guilt-ridden. Paul, Kropp, and Leer have their first sexual experience with French village girls, but most experiences are horrific. Kaiser Wilhelm II visits camp to pin medals on soldiers, including Himmelstoss. Behm dies in shelling, Kropp loses a leg, and Paul is seriously wounded. On leave, Paul learns his mother has cancer; he visits a beer garden and his former teacher, realizing older men lack understanding of war's horrors. He lies to Kemmerich's mother about her son's suffering. Returning to duty, Paul carries wounded Kat to a field hospital, only to find Kat has bled out.
Production
The film maintains an authentic look, depicting the soldiers as part of an industrialized war machine that uses them despite their vague understanding of the conflict. Details such as replacement soldiers getting younger reflect Germany's struggle to find recruits as the war progressed. Norman Rosemont paid Remarque's widow, Paulette Goddard, $100,000 for the film rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in All Quiet on the Western Front (1979 film)?
All Quiet on the Western Front stars Richard Thomas, Ernest Borgnine, Donald Pleasence, Ian Holm, Patricia Neal and Dai Bradley.
Which network aired All Quiet on the Western Front (1979 film)?
All Quiet on the Western Front aired on CBS.
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