1930年Lewis Milestone摄的《西线无战事》，第三届奥斯卡三奖，名至实归，线性地描述了学生阿兵哥弃笔从戎最后死亡的一生，反思了政治宣传推动，民族主义在荒谬的逻辑和动机下的虚无。
老片子类似于舞台剧，一幕一幕，将想要表达的内涵细腻的展现，所以对这部电影不能要求剧情和演员情绪的流畅，但这并不影响其反思的深度。
本片有“最伟大的反战电影”之一之名，不如说其是该类型片的鼻祖。
摘一段男主在更年轻的学生面前的宣告。
I heard you in here reciting that same old stuff, making more iron men, more young heroes. You still think it’s beautiful and sweet to die for your country, don’t you? We used to think you knew. The first bombardment taught us better. it’s dirty and painful to die for your country. When it comes to dying for your country, it’s better not to die at all! There are millions out there dying for their countries, and what good is it?
You asked me to tell them how much they’re needed out there. He tells you, “Go out and due.” Oh, but if you’ll pardon me, it’s easier to say “Go out and die” than it is to do it.
[Coward!]
And it’s easier to say it than to watch it happen. It’s no use talking like this. You won’t know what I mean. Only, it’s been a long while since we enlisted out of this classroom. So long I thought maybe the whole world had learned by this time. Only now they’re sending babies, and they won’t last a week! I shouldn’t have come on leave. Up at the front you’re alive or you’re dead, and that’s all! You can’t fool anybody about that very long. Up there we know we’re lost and done for whether we’re dead or alive. Three years we’ve had of it… four years. Every day a year and every night a century. Our bodies are earth and our thoughts are clay and we sleep and eat with death. We’re done for because you can’t live that way and keep anything inside you! I shouldn’t have come on leave. I’ll go back tomorrow. I’ve got four days more, but I can’t stand it here! I’ll go back tomorrow! Sorry!
正片
