All Quiet on the Western Front

Frank Gabrenya introduces this unflinching portrayal of the brutality of war. The longtime film critic for the Columbus Dispatch, he continues to be a regular contributor to the paper.

Based on the WW I novel by Erich Maria Remarque, All Quiet remains powerful and relevant more than 80 years after its release. Prodded to enlist in the German Army during World War I by their patriotic teacher, a group of school boys quickly become disillusioned by the horrors of trench warfare. Banned along with Remarque’s novel by the Nazis, it has also been historically shelved by countries on the verge of war. With Louis Wolheim and Lew Ayres. (133 mins., 35mm)