All Quiet on the Western Front (1979 film)

Infobox Film
name = All Quiet on the Western Front


caption = DVD cover
director = Delbert Mann
producer = Norman Rosemont
writer = Paul Monash
narrator =
starring = Richard Thomas Ernest Borgnine
music = Allyn Ferguson
cinematography = John Coquillon
editing = Alan Pattillo Bill Blunden
distributor =
released = November 14, 1979
runtime = 150 minutes
country = USA / UK
language = English
budget =
gross =
amg_id = 1:1578
imdb_id = 0078753

"All Quiet on the Western Front" is a 150 minute television movie produced by ITC Entertainment in full color that was released on November 14 1979, starring actors Richard Thomas from "The Waltons" fame, and Ernest Borgnine. Historical accuracy seems to have been strived for. For instance the scene of Kaiser Wilhelm awarding decorations to soldiers correctly shows him using only his right arm (real life Kaiser Wilhelm's left arm was stunted).fact|date=July 2008

The 1979 film was directed by Delbert Mann; though the acting of some of the performers was praised, the general opinion of most film enthusiasts is that it failed to equal the 1930 film directed by Lewis Milestone.fact|date=July 2008 In many respects, it offers a sanitised view of trench warfare - far from being destroyed by the conflict, Thomas is relentlessly depicted as able to cope and adjust to his new surroundings.fact|date=July 2008 Nevertheless, the film has its share of tension and death, and in the spirit of the novel, manages to convey a sense of desolation, hardship, and waste. The darkening of the protagonist's soul is primarily seen in his drawings, which change more and more to themes of death and suffering as the war grinds on. And, late in the film, his turmoil and wretchedness are manifest in his extreme disassociation while home on furlough.

Most of the movie was filmed in Czechoslovakia in what was one of the first US/UK produced films to be shot in a communist bloc country.fact|date=July 2008

Reception

The film won a Golden Globe Award in the category Best Television Movie.fact|date=July 2008

See also

* All Quiet on the Western Front (1930 film)

External links

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