As is fitting for a film displaying the horrors of war, it starts of with a big parade and a fine march as the new soldiers are treated as heroes, leaving the town. The war is generally spoken of in big words and enlisting as the ultimate honour.
As is expected a bit of the acting is very theatrical and over-the-top by modern standards, but it serves to illustrate the development of films, and it's still better than watching actors from High School Musical or all the Vampire-crap made these days. The standout actor is Louis Wolheim, who strikes a note as an officer that only Bill Murray could play with more wry coolness. I doubt he would do callous as well, though. The film is not without decent extras either. John Wray as the local postman turned sergeant over the town's boys is particularly delectable.
Overall it's easy to see how many war movies have been inspired by this earlier instalment. The war seen as a picture of national pride, the young boys wanting to play heroes, the harsh reality of training, the even harsher reality of meeting the more experienced soldiers and the utter hell that is the actual fighting ("Full Metal Jacket" anyone?).
This film is made before special effects were a big thing, so they have to rely on the feeling of danger with other things than big cans of gasoline. Like in "Das Boot" they create a claustrophobic environment that it is impossible to leave (a couple panic and try. Immediate death awaits). And you can see the soldiers slowly (some actually extremely quickly, making the scenes less effective) lose their calm and later their minds as they sit weeks without food or decent sleep. That being said, the war scenes in the field are quite exquisite for their age, and gruelling at times.
And our protagonist soon learns: as much as you hate the war, it is better than being in your old life with your new knowledge. A cliché now, but in 1930 it was controversial and would be considered a modern piece of psychology and anti-establishment at its most disloyal. It does however, to a great extent, and with great skill, portray the friendship and comradery that arises between men in war.
For its time, this film is surprisingly insightful and critical of war, not only WW1, but in general. And as such, much of the criticism is based on the hierarchy in society as a whole.
Where the film doesn't quite hold up to modern standards is the thrills and excitement. Though in fairness, it does state in the pretext that that is not a value for a film such as this.
The ending though is so simple, serene and beautiful. Something for newer filmmakers to remember.
8/10
