"Hallmark Hall of Fame" All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Delbert Mann

Writers:

Paul Monash (screenplay)
Erich Maria Remarque (novel)

TV Series:

"Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1951)

Original Air Date:

14 November 1979 (Season 29, Episode 1)

Tagline:

They left for war as Boys, never to return as men.

Plot:

A young soldier faces profound disillusionment in the soul-destroying horror of World War I.

Plot Keywords:

Corporal | Hospital | School | Disillusionment | Underwear

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 7 nominations

Cast

Richard Thomas	...	Paul Baumer
Ernest Borgnine	...	Stanislaus Katczinsky
Donald Pleasence	...	Kantorek
Ian Holm	...	Himmelstoss
Patricia Neal	...	Paul's Mother
Paul Mark Elliott	...	Behm (as Mark Elliott)
David Bradley	...	Kropp (as Dai Bradley)
George Winter	...	Kemmerich
Dominic Jephcott	...	Leer
Mark Drewry	...	Tjaden
Colin Mayes	...	Westhaus
Ewan Stewart	...	Detering
Michael Sheard	...	Paul's Father
Katerina Lirova	...	Paul's Sister
Mary Miller	...	Frau Kemmerich

Runtime:

Netherlands:150 min | USA:150 min | UK:123 min | USA:131 min (DVD)

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG | Finland:K-16 | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Czech Republic

Company:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Trivia:

In the scene of Kaiser Wilhelm pinning medals on the soldiers, the Kaiser uses only his right arm and hand, while an aide holds the soldiers' tunics - a nice historically accurate detail, since the real Kaiser Wilhelm had a stunted and withered left arm that was virtually useless.

Goofs:

Continuity: During the town shelling scene, 3 soldiers are seen running wearing their backpacks and full equipment. Yet the men thrown into the air by the explosion aren't wearing any.

Quotes:

Muller: Himmelstoss...there's a latrine down the road. Why don't you go take a jump?

Movie Connections:

Version of All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

Fine remake of classic.

This 1979 remake of Lewis Milestones 1930 classic anti war film tells the story of German youths who enlist in the Kaisers army to fight for the Fatherland in the great war. Based on the masterful novel by Erich Maria Remarque the youths who join at the encouragement of their schoolteacher with dreams of glory quickly learn the horror of war. Some parts of this version are better than the original and in others the 1930 version still stands out

Ian Holm's portrayal of Himmelstoss the sadistic drill instructor comes off somewhat better than in the original. In this version he is not the boys hometown postman so the viewer only sees him as the stern and cruel D.I.. His cowardice scene is also handled better. Veteran actor Ernest Borgnine as Kat the group leader is only a tad off as being as good as Louis Wolheims. Richard Thomas as Paul Baumer the central figure is about neck and neck with Lew Ayres original. Donald Pleasance is convincing as Kantorek the boys schoolteacher who tells them their plans for the future must be put on hold in favor of serving the Fatherland. Both this and the 1930 recently restored version should be watched back to back if possible.

Many films that are remade often times do not stand up to their original counterparts but this 1979 film does. Considering it was a made for TV film makes that quite an accomplishment. If you enjoyed Saving Private Ryan you'll enjoy this one as well.