All Quiet on the Western Front 4K 2022 GERMAN

I'm pretty lukewarm about German cinema, especially from Netflix. But the film turned out to be a real, rare gem in our troubled times. The camerawork is top-notch, the soundtrack is dark and memorable, and the production is well done: the pacing is tight, the everyday moments alternate with the action in time - and this happens quite unexpectedly, which enhances the effect. You always expect Netflix to put black and Asian actors on the screen in every movie, but, miracle, no internationalism here. The historical authenticity is completely preserved: in the meat grinder of WWI (as in WWII) white cultural Germans were killing like-minded European citizens, speaking just a different language. No complaints about the casting - the young guys are well chosen. In general, the historical relevance of the picture - the attention to detail - at the top: weapons, ammunition, clothing, hairstyles, life.

The script keeps you in suspense: no clichés and stereotypes from 'war movies'. The film's authors wanted to convey the absurdity of war and cynicism of the generals - the task was accomplished perfectly. Seventeen million boys died under machine guns, shells and poisonous gases within a few hundred meters - this conveyor of death is shown through the eyes of a young boy who went to the front as a volunteer. The mundane calculating nature of the Germans - when the uniforms of the dead are washed, darned and given to the new recruits - such scenes are more frightening than the combat ones.

The film is strong, it is safe to put it on a par with the best anti-war pictures - with 'Go and See' and 'The Thin Red Line'. Edward Berger becomes after this picture one of the best directors of the old world. The incredible critical rating above 90% is completely justified.