"ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT."

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 186, 8 August 1930, Page 9

"ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT."

One of' the most remarkable books of recent years, pointed with a phrase which was the most mordant mockery of the World War's later stages, aroused a storm of controversy some months ago because its faithful picturing of war s stark realism and horror practically banned it from many homes. Last night, by a triumph of moving picture enterprise, "All Quiet on the Western Front" appeared at the Civic Theatre in all its moving condemnation of the spirit of war, but at the same time as a fascinating picture that does not offend the most fastidious taste, while it intrigues the attention of the patron and holds interest for over two hours as phase after phase of the war is unfolded without a lapse in the central motif. It thrills, interests, educates and entertains alternately, but it never sickens—a wonderful picture in its massed effects, and an entertainment, but ever with the serious undercurrent. Naturally, to achieve this effect from the material selected the very highest standard in photography, in grouping and in acting has had- to be achieved and maintained, and it has been directed with inspired vision. In the success reached, the picture "All Quiet on the Western Front" is the book etherealised. In its story scheme it follows the book fairly closely, in following the misfortunes, from the German side of the line, of a company of youths from school inspired by their master with the idea of dying gloriously for the Fatherland. Scarred in body, mind and spirit by the inferno of the trenches they die to a man in body, mind and spirit, not gloriously, but horribly, and with the further despair of watching the vacant ranks being filled by still younger recruits being daily thrust into the morass and stench of war. By means of magnificent spectacles of barrage and raid, well-conceived studies of the various "characters" of the army and the trenches, and contrast with intimate home scenes the sterner side of the picture is continuously relieved in entertaining fashion, and throughout the two hours the patron is never allowed to weary. The programme opens with a news gazette and music, and then carrics go SflD ©Spafe