MovieChat Forums > All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) Discussion > Anybody think they should show this in s...

Anybody think they should show this in schools?

posted 15 years ago by novastar_6
7 replies | jump to latest

I just finished watching this movie today...I'm not what you'd call 'for war' but I do believe that our troops do have to go out there, put their lives on the line and fight to protect what this country holds dear sometimes...as awful as it is for all who are involved. Anyway, I think this movie could change anybody's view on war, for it, against it, whatever...I believe war is in some instances necessary but even I'm rethinking my opinion after seeing this movie.

I wonder, if they were to show this in public schools BEFORE the army recruiters come around trying to sell all the teenagers on how great life in the army could be for them...if there would be a change in the number of kids who sign up for it. I mean you see all this that these boys go through, and they entered war never really thinking about the deaths, the violence, the dying, the losses, they were coaxed into it with the idea of glory and the uniforms and the parades welcoming them home, they weren't told about the bloodshed, the amputations, the deaths...and a lot of young people join the army today because they can't think of anything else they want to do with their life, or they think the army is the ONLY thing for them...I think if this movie were to be shown to teenagers in school, and they could see this and know this is what happened before the atomic bombs, before nuclear missiles, before all the weapons of mass destruction that exist today, if they might think twice before going to recruit.

What's everybody else think?

[–] mattkilleen65 15 years ago

They showed us the Richard Thomas TV version in high school (St. Joe's Prep, Philadelphia) ...early '80s. It inspired me to read the book.

[–] FlabbergasterVI 15 years ago

You show up everywhere. No matter what random board I go on, I see at least one of your posts there.

I like green.

[–] aciolino 11 years ago

Of course it should be shown in schools. But in America, where are the students who will sit and pay attention and understand it? It's in black and white, intelligent, and profound.

As a teacher with over 35 years of experience, the time that this could be shown in schools passed around 1980, ironically, when MTV appeared.

[–] thelittleclown 11 years ago

I actually just saw it for the first time in a history class and thought it was amazing, I think most of the people in my class agreed. To be fair, it was an AP class, so the reaction might have been more positive in this case. I'm not a pacifist, but I think that far too many wars are avoidable, and I think this film was effective in showing the real tragedy of war. Most of my class seemed to feel the same way about the movie, though there was one person who giggled every time something violent happened and seemed to ignore the whole message of the movie, I'm sure that would be a common occurrence if this film was shown in schools.

They're advancing the wrong way! Retreat Backwards!

[–] retiredwire 11 years ago

I saw this movie in the eight grade. The only thing I really remember was that it was really loud and the guy that goes "I CAN'T SEEEEEE! MY EEYYYEES"

------
The next person who defends a movie by saying "It's for kids" gets a sword in their face.

[–] amreen05 11 years ago

"I believe war is in some instances necessary but even I'm rethinking my opinion after seeing this movie. "

Thanks for the change of your outlook on war. They could advertise in schools but they should let know the kids the facts aswell!

..............................QUIZ-COULD YOU BE WEALTHY?http://bit.ly/YxJHpJ

[–] claude-alexander 11 years ago

They've showed it to us here in Germany in probably the 8th grade. They also showed us 'The Wave', which, made me very alert, to this day, about fascism. Don't know whether I've had good teachers or if these films are in the general curricula.