MovieChat Forums > Les croix de bois (1932) Discussion > Every bit as good as All Quiet on the We...

Every bit as good as All Quiet on the Western Front

posted 17 years ago by Trouter2000
2 replies | jump to latest

I've heard Wooden Crosses often compared to All Quiet on the Western Front, yet there seems to be no threads at all on it. Its an equally powerful film, deals very similarly with both combat and characters and has aged very, very well.

I'd say both films are among the greatest war (anti-war) films ever made. Probably the best on the subject of WWI. Great stuff, I can't wait to look into Bernard's other features.

Last film seen: Wooden Crosses 8/10

[–] krakhouse 16 years ago

It is a shame this film is not widely known, it contains some of the most beautiful but haunting WWI imagery. The mixture of realism and surrealism kind of gives the film a dreamlike quality but it is still quite effective in expressing its anti-war message.

If you like this film and All Quiet on the Western Front, another must see is GW Pabst's 1930 German film, Westfront 1918. Together the three films really are fantastic.

The way I see it, is that we weren't retreating, we were just attacking in a new direction.

[–] Trouter2000 16 years ago

Thanks for the recommendation, I'll add it to my rental list.

Edit: No DVD available, where can I find one?

Last film seen: Au Hasard Balthazar 9/10