Indeed, a simple, but powerful and memorable, shot. (Interesting bit of trivia, for anyone not already aware: That's director Lewis Milestone's hand, rather than Lew Ayers', that we see.)

The beginning portion of this movie, wherein the students are being lectured to (quite fanatically!) by their teacher, that whole segment sure does feel and look like it was filmed for a Silent movie. This movie, overall, is somewhat clumsy in certain regards (at times the script and certain performances), due to being such an epic undertaking so soon after the changeover from silent to sound films, and the fact that there were so may young, largely inexperienced actors. Somehow, though, it totally works, with the earnestness of those young actors' performances.

It's a while since I saw it but the only sequences which I remember as seeming somewhat clunky were those where Paul (Lew Ayres) visited his family. Some awkward writing and acting there. I loved the opening school scenes, although I certainly understand what you mean about the 'fanatic' teacher!

This film is simply breathtaking. The transition to sound was a rocky one - and most of the early talkies which I have seen (not a large number, admittedly) highlight just what was lost with the death of the silent (compare the visual masterpieces of just a few years prior with most early talkies) but somehow this wonderful movie works, and holds up almost 90 years on as one of the greatest war films - one of the greatest films, in fact - of all time. The battle scenes have lost none of their power.

I fully agree with you. It's impressive that such a tremendously complex and sweeping production, and of such a high calibre, was pulled off in 1930, when by far most of the time (but with some definite exceptions) films were being produced decidedly set-bound (and often conspicuously stagy seeming) in order to be able to deal with newly developed sound-recording equipment.

For AQotWF to have been made in that year - now 89 years ago - and be so supremely excellent (viewed in any year) is remarkable and a real accomplishment.

This remains a powerful film, superbly performed, and with its emotional impact, effectiveness, and message timeless and very much intact.

I just saw this movie a couple weeks ago, and I was astonished. It was so very realistic and raw, and it impressed me very much. I thought the ending was extremely disturbing, and very haunting. That closing shot is going to stay with me a long time. (Also I had no idea about the hand actually being the director's, and not Lew Ayers'!)

barry, every time you post about one of my fave movies (such as this), I immediately want to rewatch it right away! (Clearly we enjoy a great many of the same films.) My mental list of movies that lately I've been eager to get around to rewatching (most of my fave classics, I have the DVDs of, fortunately) keeps growing!

Ha ha! That's cool! I've really been enjoying our various film conversations as of late. And I know the feeling: I have a good number of movies I'd like to get around to rewatching. And thanks to you, my list of other classic movies I need to see for the first time is growing considerably!

So far, during the last couple of weeks, I haven't actually yet gotten around to rewatching anything that I've felt eager to - though it's just a matter of time!

Btw, in this film, when Paul (Lew Ayres) is in the explosion crater with the dying unable-to-speak soldier of the other side, talking to him, wanting and trying to hate him, but realizing there's no actual personal reason to - and it's making him (Paul) crazy - that part sure is powerful, thought-provoking, and effecting.

Yes, it is a really powerful scene. The whole movie really does make you think. It's one that you don't easily forget...

I just saw the film, the ending surprised me to the core. I am assuming Paul was looking for peace on the battlefield, regarding the butterfly.

@genplant29 said:

I fully agree with you. It's impressive that such a tremendously complex and sweeping production, and of such a high calibre, was pulled off in 1930, when by far most of the time (but with some definite exceptions) films were being produced decidedly set-bound (and often conspicuously stagy seeming) in order to be able to deal with newly developed sound-recording equipment.

For AQotWF to have been made in that year - now 89 years ago - and be so supremely excellent (viewed in any year) is remarkable and a real accomplishment.

This remains a powerful film, superbly performed, and with its emotional impact, effectiveness, and message timeless and very much intact.

I agree, the battlefield scenes were cool for that era.

@genplant29 said:

So far, during the last couple of weeks, I haven't actually yet gotten around to rewatching anything that I've felt eager to - though it's just a matter of time!

Btw, in this film, when Paul (Lew Ayres) is in the explosion crater with the dying unable-to-speak soldier of the other side, talking to him, wanting and trying to hate him, but realizing there's no actual personal reason to - and it's making him (Paul) crazy - that part sure is powerful, thought-provoking, and effecting.

That was a disturbing scene, of Paul talking to the soldier's dead corpse.