8 Movies Similar to All Quiet on the Western Front

The Big Parade, released in 1927, is reminiscent of All Quiet on the Western Front. Both movies take place during World War I and provide a raw and unglamorous portrayal of the war. While All Quiet on the Western Front focuses on the German side of the trenches, The Big Parade follows a young American soldier who witnesses the horrors of the Great War. The Big Parade was groundbreaking for not glorifying the war or ignoring its human costs, which heavily influenced subsequent war films, including All Quiet on the Western Front. What sets The Big Parade apart is the new score from Carl Davis, which adds an extra layer of engagement and triumph to an already powerful film. So, if you enjoyed All Quiet on the Western Front and want to experience another impactful portrayal of World War I, The Big Parade is a must-watch.

The Patent Leather Kid is a film that takes us back to the silent movie era, where young actresses like Molly O'Day rose to stardom alongside the likes of Gloria Swanson and Greta Garbo. In this film, Molly O'Day plays a raucous dancer who catches the eye of a vainglorious boxer, played by Richard Barthelmess. Similar to All Quiet on the Western Front, The Patent Leather Kid explores the impact of war on its characters, albeit in a different way. While the former film focuses on the horrors of World War I, the latter delves into the internal struggle of a boxer torn between his sport and a budding romance, which are both further jeopardized when the United States enters the first World War. The Patent Leather Kid raises the question of how young professional athletes should navigate their careers in the midst of a major war, with thousands around them stepping forward to serve.

Wings, released in 1929, is a movie that takes us back to the era of silent films. It tells the story of two young men, one rich and one middle class, who both love the same woman and become fighter pilots in World War I. While watching Wings, you can't help but be transported to a time when movies were accompanied by live music performed on a Wurlitzer Theater Organ. Gaylord Carter's incredible score, recorded in the 1980s when he was in his 80s, adds an extra layer of magic to the film. Each showing was a unique experience, as Carter improvised the music, combining themes for each character. His stamina and skill as a musician, playing live music on multiple keyboards and a pedal board for over two hours, cannot be overstated. It's amazing to think about how few theaters could afford orchestras, and the Wurlitzer organ provided the perfect accompaniment for silent films like Wings.

The Kid, released in 1923, is reminiscent of All Quiet on the Western Front, released in 1930. Both movies transport us to a different era, immersing us in the world of the early 1900s. While All Quiet on the Western Front explores the horrors of war, The Kid delves into the heartwarming relationship between an abandoned child and the Tramp. Despite their differences in genre, both films capture the essence of the human spirit and the resilience of the characters facing adversity. All Quiet on the Western Front depicts the gritty reality of World War I, while The Kid showcases the struggle of a mother and the Tramp to protect the child from the harsh realities of life. The performances in both movies are exceptional, with Lew Ayres delivering a powerful portrayal in All Quiet on the Western Front and Jackie Coogan stealing the show in The Kid.

The Wedding March is reminiscent of All Quiet on the Western Front because both movies take place during the early 1900s and explore the effects of war. While All Quiet on the Western Front focuses on the horrors of World War I, The Wedding March takes a different approach and explores the consequences of societal pressures. The Wedding March tells the story of a young aristocrat who falls in love with an inn-keeper's daughter but is forced to marry for money. The film captures the struggles faced by individuals who are caught between their own desires and the expectations of society. Although the pacing of The Wedding March can feel slow at times, the film's attention to detail and Von Stroheim's directorial choices create a hypnotic and visually stunning experience. While All Quiet on the Western Front is a powerful and hard-hitting anti-war drama, The Wedding March offers a unique perspective on the human condition and the sacrifices people make in pursuit of social status.

Atlantic is a movie that takes us back to April 1912, when the supposedly unsinkable RMS Titanic hit an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean. Directed by Ewald André Dupont, this British production from 1930 may seem a bit creaky by today's standards, but it still holds a certain charm. The film's makers cleverly changed the title from Titanic to Atlantic to avoid potential lawsuits from the survivors' relatives and the White Star Line, the ship's owner. However, it's worth noting that they did infringe upon an earlier White Star disaster from 1873. Despite some technical shortcomings, the movie sets a standard that later Titanic films would imitate. It takes us behind the scenes to the bridge, the engine room, and the different passenger areas, offering a glimpse into the lives of those aboard the ill-fated ship.

Mata Hari, released in 1931, is a semi-fictionalized account of the life of Mata Hari, an exotic dancer accused of spying for Germany during World War I. While All Quiet on the Western Front and Mata Hari are set in the same time period and delve into the effects of World War I, they take different approaches in their storytelling. All Quiet on the Western Front is a poignant and hard-hitting anti-war drama, showcasing the horrors of war through the eyes of a German youth. On the other hand, Mata Hari focuses on the life of a female spy and her alleged espionage activities. Both films explore the theme of war and its impact, but while All Quiet on the Western Front emphasizes the impersonal coldness and desolation of war, Mata Hari takes a more melodramatic approach with elements of romance, crime, and drama.

The Life of Vergie Winters is reminiscent of All Quiet on the Western Front in its portrayal of the consequences of societal judgment. While the former is a tale of scandal and gossip in a small town, the latter delves into the horrors of war. Both movies explore the theme of individuals being shunned and ostracized due to their actions or circumstances. In The Life of Vergie Winters, Vergie is faced with the threat of exposure and scandal as she engages in an affair with a married man. Similarly, in All Quiet on the Western Front, the young soldiers experience the desolation of war and the disillusionment that comes with it. Both films showcase the impact of societal expectations and the sacrifices individuals make in order to navigate their respective situations. However, the two movies differ in their settings and genres. All Quiet on the Western Front is a war drama set in World War I, while The Life of Vergie Winters is a crime drama set in a small town.