MovieChat Forums > Im Westen nichts Neues (2022) Discussion > Unfaithful to original

Unfaithful to original

posted 2 years ago by hotjam2 (60)
9 replies | jump to latest

didn’t read the book but this was definitely unfaithful to the original 1930 film & the similar 1980 made-for-tv one.
Missed several poignant scenes including the romantic interlope, but added High Command/peace negotiations which took away the previous, 100% grunt perspective of the two previous films.
While the battle scenes were entertaining, they didn’t look realistic but more surreal, like playing Call to Duty video games.
Overall, not saying it was an bad movie, but should of stood in its own ground with an different name, then use the title of the 1930 masterpiece

[–] MoviesSuck (964) 2 years ago

It doesn’t need to be faithful to anything but the book. That said, it is certainly not faithful to the source material.

[–] Destinata (3397) 2 years ago

How awful! All Quiet on the Western Front is one of the best books I've ever read! A modern movie that was faithful to the book is needed.

[–] Darren (1345) 2 years ago

I thought the 1979 TV movie version was a much more faithful adaptation of the book. It doesn't have the budget, and as a TV movie, the cinematography is not as good. Ernest Borgnine, while he gave a splendid performance as Katczinsky, was really much too old for the part. But it's a much more faithful to the book version, and I honestly enjoyed it more, despite its flaws.

[–] Destinata (3397) 2 years ago

If I can find it, I'll check it out. Actually, I really should read the book again!

[–] Darren (1345) 2 years ago

You can watch it on YouTube. The whole TV movie is available there for free.

[–] Destinata (3397) 2 years ago

Thanks!

[–] Towelie_Towel (1773) 2 years ago

I remember in the 1930 version there was a very nice scene of Paul making a speech to his old class, or to a junior class of students.

Unfortunately there wasn't such an emotional scene in this movie.

[–] agentalbert (3131) 2 years ago

I saw this in the theater today and while I thought it was very well done, I did think it was missing something by not having the scene where Paul returns to Germany and sees the school/professor still recruiting kids for the war, filling their head full of duty/honor/etc.

[–] samoanjoes (57047) 2 years ago

Why would it be unfaithful to the movie when it's adapted from the book you didn't read?