About Westfront 1918

Released in 1930, Westfront 1918 is a German war film directed by G.W. Pabst. It portrays the lives of German soldiers during the final days of World War I. The film is known for its gritty and realistic depiction of warfare, highlighting the stress, misery, and hardship that soldiers face on the front-line. The film ends with an unsettling and powerful anti-war message.

Making / Production

The film was directed by G.W. Pabst, a prominent Austrian film director, known for his strong influence in the New Objectivity movement in German cinema during the 1920s and early 1930s. The film is based on the novel "Four Infantrymen on the Western Front" by Ernst Johannsen, with the screenplay written by Ladislaus Vajda. The music for the film was composed by Alexander Laszlo.

Actors

• Fritz Kampers as The Bavarian: Known for his amiable nature and warm performance that provides a counterpoint to the brutal realities of war.
• Gustav Diessl as Karl: He effectively portrays a soldier coming to grips with the psychological trauma of warfare.
• Claus Clausen as Lieutenant: His performance beautifully reflects the inner conflict experienced by officers in the war.
• Hanna Hoessrich as The Woman: She imbued her role as a civilian in the war-zone with a great sense of realism and emotion.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film was one of the first to depict World War I from the German perspective.
• At the time of release, it caused controversy due to its anti-war message and brutal portrayal of warfare.
• It was banned by the Nazis after they came to power in 1933 because of its anti-war message.

Quotes

• "War does not determine who is right - only who is left."
• "People, Animals, Cannons - they are all the same, they are all made for destruction"

Music / Soundtrack

• The film’s music was composed by Alexander Laszlo, whose score added emotional depth to the on-screen action. 
• One of the first sound films, Westfront 1918 made effective use of battlefield noises and off-screen sounds to heighten the realism and intensity of its scenes.