All Quiet on the Western Front

Year: 1979

Runtime: 150 mins

Language: English

Director: Delbert Mann

WarDrama

They enlist as boys, dreaming of glory, but never return as men. At the start of World War I, idealistic German student Paul Baumer, inflamed by school propaganda, joins the army with his friends straight after graduation. The brutal reality of trench warfare shatters their patriotism; as comrades die or are maimed, Paul confronts the senseless cruelty of fighting over a few hundred yards of shattered countryside.

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Timeline & Setting – All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

Explore the full timeline and setting of All Quiet on the Western Front (1979). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:45

Main Characters – All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

Meet the key characters of All Quiet on the Western Front (1979), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:45

Major Themes – All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

Explore the central themes of All Quiet on the Western Front (1979), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:45

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Grim anti-war movies like All Quiet on the Western Front

Stories that strip away glory to reveal the brutal, futile reality of combat.These films, like 'All Quiet on the Western Front,' explore the brutal reality and psychological trauma of warfare. If you were moved by its unflinching look at the futility and dehumanization of combat, you'll find similar powerful and devastating stories here. They share a bleak tone and heavy emotional weight.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread often follow a disillusionment arc, where characters—often young and idealistic—enter a conflict with patriotic fervor only to have their spirits broken by the relentless horror. The plot is typically episodic, focusing on the collective struggle for survival against an impersonal war machine rather than individual glory, leading to tragic or deeply sad conclusions.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared commitment to an anti-war message conveyed through visceral, unglamorous portrayals of combat. They prioritize mood and theme over plot, creating a coherent experience defined by bleakness, high intensity, and a heavy emotional focus on loss and trauma.

Movies about shattered idealism like All Quiet on the Western Front

Journeys where hopeful idealism is crushed by a harsh, unforgiving reality.If the tragic arc of Paul Bäumer's lost innocence in 'All Quiet on the Western Front' resonated with you, explore these films. They feature similar journeys where hopeful characters have their idealism crushed by harsh realities, leading to sad or bittersweet endings and a heavy emotional impact.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is a clear downward trajectory. A protagonist, often young, enters a new world (war, a new society, a demanding institution) filled with idealism. Through a series of harsh experiences, their worldview is shattered, leading to cynicism, trauma, or destruction. The structure is straightforward, focusing intensely on the protagonist's internal psychological collapse.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their central focus on the theme of disillusionment. They share a somber, often bleak mood and a steady pacing that allows the emotional weight of the character's decline to build effectively. The similarity lies in the core emotional journey, regardless of the specific setting.

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All Quiet on the Western Front Summary

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All Quiet on the Western Front Timeline

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All Quiet on the Western Front Spoiler-Free Summary

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More About All Quiet on the Western Front

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about All Quiet on the Western Front: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

Similar Movies to All Quiet on the Western Front

Discover movies like All Quiet on the Western Front that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.