Hey, ya’ll. The Great War: Western Front is next for us. A game that’s now available here at IndieGala, and a game that inspired our review. The review of All Quiet On The Western Front. Both of these projects are so connected and intertwined that we figured we must put them in one article. So here it is.
Granted, we haven’t visited the WW1 all that much before. Especially on our blog here. WW2 was and still is a much-coveted topic and we have plenty of articles about that. But WW1? Not so much. Which is why we’re excited about it. I mean, the only article of ours that did cover WW1 was about Beyond The Wire. You can check it out here.
But the question remains…
What’s The Movie All About You Might Ask?
Developed by Petroglyph Games and published by Frontier Developments, The Great War: Western Front is the definitive WW1 strategy game. You get to play a deciding role in history with this real-time tactical experience. As you take charge in the pivotal Western Front from 1914 to 1919.
So, pick your faction and lead your forces to victory, by directing your armies in gritty real-time battles. And of course, by guiding high-level decisions in turn-based strategic gameplay. Dig detailed trenches, and research new technologies such as poison gas and tanks. Finally, you get to make decisions that will have a profound and lasting effect on your success. Think like a Commander to either relive history – or redefine it.
Don’t forget to play your way with four deep and compelling modes. Experience the unfolding saga of World War I in the Campaign. Relive iconic moments with Historical Battles, and create your own battles in Skirmish. Or test your strategies against others in memorable Multiplayer action. After all, your journey through this enthralling conflict is unique to you.
The Great War: Western Front is available for purchase here at IndieGala. Get it now, but don’t forget about The Great War: Western Front™ – Victory Edition. It’s also available for purchase here at IndieGala.
But WHY All Quiet On The Western Front For This Particular Article?
Well, because we think it fits the most. Both the game and the latest movie adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s book are about the horrors of the same war. WWI. But to be honest, we wanted to focus on All Quiet On The Western Front because it did win 4 Academy Awards at the 95th Academy Award Ceremony this month. And frankly, because it’s the first German-made adaptation of that book. It’s in German, with mostly German/Austrian actors and it’s quite decent.
However… Let me start from the very beginning.
All Quiet On The Western Front is about one youth’s realization of what a war truly is. Brutal, pointless and damaging act of aggression. And the movie starts us in Germany of course. It’s May 1917 and WWI is in full swing. We are introduced to the 17-year-old Paul Baumer. A young German man who enthusiastically enlists in the German army and heads off to war. His head is filled with patriotism, honor, visions of heroism and the confidence that Germany will win the war. However, once he gets to the trenches, he quickly learns that his impressions of war are far from reality.
The movie does a good job of depicting the futility of war. The loss of youth & corruption of innocence for an entire generation. And of course, the true horror that was trench warfare. We see the tactical progression of the war, but we see the soldiers’ sad, progression of mental decline as well.
All Quiet On The Western Front: The True Winner At The Oscar?
Don’t get me wrong.
All Quiet On The Western Front is a perfectly decent movie. But at the same time is also one where you can clearly see the flaws in the production value (the VFX work needed more attention to detail at times). Not to mention the flaws in the artistic choices that were made in the script. However, my money was on Argentina, 1985 which depicted the ramifications of another war. In another country. The Dirty War in Argentina and the aftermath of it. I also don’t agree with Volker Bertelmann’s Best Original Score win too. Babylon was the obvious winner there if you ask me. But I digress.
But… What’s The Good In The Movie?
Well, the direction from Edward Berger was quite good. The opening sequence first comes to mind about that. You see the journey of the German uniforms. The cycle of it if you will. From the bodies of the deceased soldier to the washing of the blood, sewing up shrapnel holes and handing them out to the new recruits. Or perhaps the small moments of rest, comradery and joy when the soldiers are gonna cook that goose. The joy on their face as they’re eating that bird, gives you a sense of preserving humanity. Even in the most horrible of events in history. The scenes in the trenches are epic yet grim, yes that’s true. Horrifying and yet sincere as well. Seriously I didn’t have the stamina to sit through some of the scenes. And yes. They are there for the anti-war message, but I feel that these quiet and humane moments contribute to that message as well. At times even more so.
Felix Kammerer is a newcomer in the acting field, but over here he gives a rather nuanced and layered as the movie progresses. His early youthful naiveite is quickly turned into shell-shocked horror, but we don’t see the demise of this mental state that quickly. We are eased into the terror and we experience it as he does. It’s easy to fall into the trap of overacting when you have an epic movie around you. But Kammerer does it effortlessly. Daniel Bruhl did a superb job in the supporting role. His depiction of Matthias Erzberger was also on point. He’s fantastic as, the outspoken critic of the war and I feel that he needed more recognition. But…
In the end… Is it a good movie? Yes. But is All Quiet On The Western Front a great one? No. However, does convey a great anti-war message, and considering what has been going on in the past year… We need a good reminder.
Are You Hyped About The Great War: Western Front?
We sure are. And feel free to let us know if you liked All Quiet On The Western Front Too. We’d love to know.
