couldnt get through it.

i think you should try watching it again. ive just finished it and i enjoyed it thoroughly, my score for it at this stage would be an 8. this is because the battle scenes were horrific and conveyed the fear of the men, the characters were well defined, we saw all sides of war, from the teacher preaching about the glory of dying for ones country to the injured soldiers in the medical wards.

the acting really is not over the top, in fact i liked how real it felt and the dialogue helped that by being understated and thoughtful.

"gentlemen make your lives extraordinary"

I couldn't get through it either, because it was so overdone. I don't believe it's a bad movie, though, just not one for me.

This is one where you have to revel in the nostalgia and look at it from teh perspective of someone who hasn't seen many films before. Pretty much like the audience of the time.
That, or pretend you're attending your nephew's school play.

Either way, look beyond the 'bad' acting and see the story beneath. If I can do it with Kevin Costner's films, anyone can do it with this one!!

I thought the chap playing Kat was a pretty decent actor, actually!



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None of the OP's statements are valid, yes some (maybe 25%) of the acting is over dramatic, so what just go with it, remember this is 1930 sound on film was only a year old (filmed in 1929) some of the actors hadn't made the transition over yet. AQOTWF tells a very engaging story as realistic as anything made today, and the special effects are tremendous! Absolutely fantastic, the explosions are really on par with any contemporary Fx, they rival "Paths of Glory" even "Saving Pvt Ryan" I can't see how anybody could not be thoroughly captivated, imagine what the 1930's audience saw and felt watching this, they had to be sitting there thinking "holy f'ing jesus - war is for real!". Saying "by today's standards, this movie sucks" is positively untrue, "All Quiet" is as realistic as movies get, saying this sucks shows immaturity, give this movie another try, watch it until the end, then come back and apologize.

Just watched it, I loved it. Some of the acting is not what we're used to, I can see how it would suit stage productions. It's like they're all about to come out with "why I oughta" and stuff like that. The two old salts are amazing - the tall gangly one looks like he's straight out of Wizard of Oz or something.

The actors are all so folksy and mid-west American like some Kansas farm boy has just joined the German army. Lew Ayres does get a bit grating, but the film is "of its time", probably quite a risk at the time to film from the enemy's point of view and portray humour and sympathy. All I keep thinking while watching is "all these people are now dead" - bit of a downer I suppose but what a great legacy to leave.

Some of the combat sequences are great but it's the little things about films of this time - I don't think there's any soundtrack at all (?) haven't noticed any music, and sometimes long periods of silence where all you hear is a faint hiss. It reminds me of Laurel and Hardy films with these long non dialogue bits and just the crackling of the film. Great stuff!!

The acting isn't better today. Quit acting like a fool. I pity you because you love profanity, blood and guts, and sex scenes.

Modern films are largely junk.

The film was released in 1930, given that its over 80 years old, it actually stands up very well and you can see it has directly influenced movies like Saving Private Ryan!

Its that man again!!

I don't know your age, but I'm assuming you're young. Try it again when you're middle aged.