All Quiet on the Western Front (1979) - Paul Baumer

Richard Thomas as the handsome but doomed WW1 fictional hero Paul Baumer. This slide show chronicles the last year (1918) of Paul's life and serves as a memorial to all the young men slaughtered in that futile war. "Only the good die young!"

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• WW1
• Paul Baumer
• Richard Thomas

[Gymroids]

I also first saw this film in history class at school. My classmates were initially dismissive finding it hard to accept 'John-Boy' as the hero Paul Baumer. However, by the end and especially in this devastating final scene there were many in tears. This is surely Richard Thomas's greatest performance on film.

[daboodeef179]

you guys should see the 1930's version of this.

[Gymroids]

@daboodeef179 Great film agreed but see this version in full on the new Blu-ray release. It's superb not least because of Richard Thomas's outstanding performance.

[Gymroids]

I stand corrected! Specifically he was 'fictional' as the hero and protagonist of a great work of fiction.

[JasonR30red]

Congratulations, a really imaginative and very moving photo montage, especially effective linked to that terrific music. (What is it?) Richard Thomas looks great as Paul Baumer.

[Gymroids]

Thanks Jason. So glad you approve. It was very much a labour of love.

The music I used was 'Lacrymosa from 'Sinfonia da Requiem' by Benjamin Britten.

[windalooman]

The best movie about WWI ever.

[jarvsie]

he looks like tony blair at  2.03

[mrwells111]

Im good. But I have to live a life of fustration and despair cause I am not intelligent. I am stupid. I know nothing.

[bchee01]

what up with the slide show. Wheres the movie? What a gip!

[wayhip]

Hitler banned the book and the original film. Truth is the enemy of democracy

[JakDerrida]

The historical accuracy of the movie is pretty amazing..

Leading up to the 3 minute mark, German soldiers wore a Pickelhaube (pointed-helmey), after that they transitioned to the Stahlhelm (steel helmet). This is what occured during WW1 after they realized that wearing a leather cap with a point on it (Pickelhaube) offered virtually no protection and even made them more visible targets in their trenches.

[joeythekangaroo1000]

i love this it's so moving :) ..iam making a story about world war 1 ..with teddy bears ..and ones called bob and his a medic... it's his story of how the war was in his eyes... this story is aimed at children so they can also learn about the greatest wars in history. hence why i made the soldiers into teddy bears so they would remeber the names ...what do you guys think of this idea? should i make the story?

[Dhammaification]

Oops! I meant Lewis Ayers. Murphy, a highly decorated WWII veteran, was in another great anti-war book, Red Badge of Courage.

[Dhammaification]

One of the greatest anti-war books ever written, and done so in a subtle way that pokes a giant hole through all the lies we are told by those in power as to why we the war must be fought. Please read the book. It's exceptional, and the version of the film with Audie Murphy playing the lead is quite good too.