Overview: All Quiet on the Western Front tells the gripping story of a young German soldier on the Western Front of World War I. Paul and his comrades experience first-hand how the initial euphoria of war turns into desperation and fear as they fight for their lives, and each other, in the trenches.

The film from director Edward Berger is based on the world-renowned bestseller of the same name by Erich Maria Remarque.

4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: MPI Media/Capelight Pictures is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the highly-anticipated All Quiet on the Western Front in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this March 28th, 2023.

For my money, this All Quiet on the Western Front [4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray] combo pack sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is All Quiet on the Western Front presented to us as a two-disc combo pack. Other stand out points you should know are: Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: Native 4K (2160p), HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, Aspect ratio: 2.39:1 and Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1.

The 4K UHD features the original German audio (with English subtitles) in Dolby Atmos audio of the original and 4K Dolby Vision image for the perfect picture and sound quality. The mediabook packaging comes with a 24 page booklet that includes SHARING THE GERMAN PERSPECTIVE — a conversation with director Edward Berger and A MACHINE OF DEATH UNLIKE ANY EXPERIENCED BEFORE — an interview with historian and professor Daniel Schönpflug on the historical background of All Quiet On The Western Front.

Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable.

For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color; such as the exquisitely shot, dulcet in shades, yet harrowing battle scene, where what the soldiers believe are flares in the sky quickly turns into a mortar attack.

Indeed, the picture enjoys the fruits of the added resolution in terms of bringing out the aforementioned extremely fine facial. Notably the opening scene, within the film’s montage, where Heinrich (Jakob Schmidt), a young German soldier, is gunned down on the battlefield. His uniform is recycled, washed, and repaired before being handed to another recruit.

For not only is it a foreboding glimpse into what is to come, let alone the way the actor imbues the pain and suffering for those few seconds, but it’s emblematic for the big theme of the movie, which is the machinery of war and how you’re chewed up in it.

As for the audio, well we get a veritable smorgasbord of choice: German: Dolby Atmos, German: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Italian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Turkish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Polish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Ukrainian: Dolby Digital 5.1, Czech: Dolby Digital 5.1, Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1 and Hungarian: Dolby Digital 5.1.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

As for the movie itself, well, directed by Edward Berger, All Quiet on the Western Front tells the story of Paul Baümer (Felix Kammerer) and his schoolmates eagerly enlisting in the German Army three years after the outbreak of World War I. Once they reached the western front, they face the reality of war that’s chaotic and daunting.

Based on the novel by Erich Maria Remarque, this movie is a strong reminder of the effects of war in every aspect, especially the psychology of the soldiers. They reflect it through our main character Paul’s mental toll, he drastically changes from the moment he enlists the army to when he set foot on the battlefield for the first time.

I don’t remember having watched a war flick that depicts its brutality and savagery as this, other than Saving Private Ryan and The Pianist. Felix Kammerer delivers a powerful performance as a terrified and distressed young soldier amidst the war.

And the flaws, as little as they are, of this movie, are that some of the in-between scenes drag in its pacing, which makes the movie runs a bit too long. Also with a bunch of supporting characters that just lacked an introduction and don’t necessarily add up to the story.

James Friend captures the horrific scenery of trench warfare in his stunning cinematography, I loved every time we follow the characters onto the trench, he uses up-close-and-personal take, as if we’re right on the action. Also the terrific score from Volker Bertelmann with elegant industrial elements.

In closing, All Quiet on the Western Front is an anti-war movie that is awfully realistic and emotionally captivating and is a reminder of the devastating impact of war.

Special Features:
Making-of Featurette
Theatrical trailer
Teaser
Audio Commentary from Director Edward Berger

The Netflix film recently made history: For the first time ever, a production from Germany has been nominated for an Oscar® in the most important category, Best Picture. In addition, Edward Berger’s film was nominated in eight other Oscar® categories, including Best International Film, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography and Production Design.

All Quiet On The Western Front has also been the big winner at this year’s BAFTAs, taking home seven of Britain’s most important film awards, among them Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Original Score. The German Film Academy has also shortlisted the film for the German Film Awards.

All Quiet on the Western Front | Official Trailer | Netflix

Official Purchase Link