All Quiet on the Western Front and the Unending Cycle of War
All Quiet on the Western Front, directed by Edward Berger, is one of the most gruesome and realistic portrayals of the First World War. The cinematography is both beautiful and horrifying at the same time. Like many other war films, this one is shot from a soldier’s perspective, however, from the German side. The movie was so moving that it inspired me to read the original novel, and it definitely does justice to the book.
Cyclic Nature of War
If you asked me to summarize the film with a single line, I would use the following quote- “Peace is only an armistice in an endless war.” As an audience, we feel trapped inside the endless cycle of death, blood, and war. And right when there is hope for harmony, a single human’s ego drags the story back into battle.
The movie subtly reveals the climax within the first 10 minutes. We observe the journey of a soldier’s jacket throughout its lifecycle: from its origins before the war to its fate after the owner’s passing and its subsequent repair and return to the battlefield. This parallels the experience of surviving soldiers who, despite enduring until the war’s end, are redeployed and face the inevitability of their own demise once more.
The film depicts a profound revelation: not only are humans engaged in a relentless conflict, but their very garments are also embroiled in an eternal struggle. Even when subjected to gunfire, the clothes persist in their active involvement, undergoing repairs and being redeployed to the battlefield repeatedly, without pause or respite.
Another significant element underscores the repetitive essence of war: the survivors’ task of gathering the tags belonging to fallen comrades. Furthermore, the opening and closing scenes depict an identical landscape, with the rising and setting sun, signifying that each day in the ongoing war is indistinguishable from the last — a poignant representation of the never-ending cycle of conflict.
Nature and War
The film contains numerous captivating shots of nature, often emphasizing towering trees and dense forests. Upon closer observation, I began to perceive that nature symbolizes something beyond mere beauty. Amidst the bloodshed and chaos depicted, the presence of trees and landscapes offers a soothing respite.
Furthermore, the trees within the film serve as symbols of rebirth. For instance, in the first scene, the trees are not directly situated within the battlefield, yet they are intentionally included in the frame. The subsequent swift transition to a scene filled with lifeless bodies alludes to the cyclic nature of the film. It can be inferred that these trees, emerging from fallen soldiers’ remnants, represent rebirth and regeneration.
This thematic thread is delicately interwoven throughout the movie, acting as a gentle reminder of the profound influence and significance of the natural world in our lives.
Death is Peace
The movie portrays a multitude of brutal and gruesome scenes, often featuring the demise of the protagonists’ comrades. Throughout the first three-quarters of the film, viewers are subjected to the distressing experience of witnessing the soldiers’ suffering and demise. As an audience, it becomes challenging not to sympathize with the fallen soldiers… until the final phase of the film.
In a way, the protagonist’s death brings a sense of relief as it prevents him from being trapped in this never-ending cycle of violence. In death, his countenance appears serene, contrasting with the young cadet who takes his place in collecting the dog tags. The extended shot focusing on Paul’s face stands out as one of the most remarkable scenes in the entire film.
It’s never quiet on the Western front, except in death.
