"Im Westen nichts Neueus" is a recent German version of "All Quiet on the Western Front". Apparently, the German film industry thought so much of the movie that it's been submitted as German's nomination for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Oscars. Although the story is based on a book by a German ex-soldier, the previous two versions of the story were made in the States...the Oscar-winning 1930 version and a 1979 made for TV version. Of the three, the 1930 version is my favorite.
The filmmakers insist that the film is not a remake but a film that is a new look at Erich Maria Remarque's novel...quite different from the previous movies. And, after seeing it, it is indeed quite different. While the leading character is the same, the story and tone are different. In this 2022 version, the story is VERY episodic and you never really feel attached or connected to the characters. Instead, it's pure terror, gore and violence...which IS quite realistic for WWI. The other versions, in contrast, focus more on the character and personality changes in the lead...with a lesser emphasis on his friends as they fight the war. They also seem to be set earlier in the war (based on the uniform helmets), whereas almost all of the 2022 film takes place the last week or so of the war. If you want a war film full of terror, realism and gore, the 2022 version is for you. The others, in my opinion, are better because they do a better job showing the destruction of the souls and personalities of the men. All are well worth seeing.
As I already said, the film is gory and realistic and so I advise you to think about it before watching. Don't show it to young kids and if you've been to war, perhaps you might want to see something else.
The filmmakers insist that the film is not a remake but a film that is a new look at Erich Maria Remarque's novel...quite different from the previous movies. And, after seeing it, it is indeed quite different. While the leading character is the same, the story and tone are different. In this 2022 version, the story is VERY episodic and you never really feel attached or connected to the characters. Instead, it's pure terror, gore and violence...which IS quite realistic for WWI. The other versions, in contrast, focus more on the character and personality changes in the lead...with a lesser emphasis on his friends as they fight the war. They also seem to be set earlier in the war (based on the uniform helmets), whereas almost all of the 2022 film takes place the last week or so of the war. If you want a war film full of terror, realism and gore, the 2022 version is for you. The others, in my opinion, are better because they do a better job showing the destruction of the souls and personalities of the men. All are well worth seeing.
As I already said, the film is gory and realistic and so I advise you to think about it before watching. Don't show it to young kids and if you've been to war, perhaps you might want to see something else.