CIVIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1047, 11 August 1930, Page 15

CIVIC

“ALL QUIET . . ” FILM A pageant of terrible splendour . . . a drama of deep human emotions ... a terrific indictment of modern war . . . that is “All Quiet on the Western Front,” Universal’s superb super-pro-duction of Erich Maria Remarque’s famotis war book, at the Civic Theatre. “All Quiet on the Western Front” is a magnificent picturisation of the fate of youth in war. Its hero, yo vng Paul Baumer, is a German, but he stands I for the youth of all nations subjected I to the most terrible of all human ex- | pcriences. j The picture portrays the effects of ; war upon young Baumer and his com- | panions. It is the poignant story of | youth that has been denied its chance at life ... of youth hurled into a cease- | less hell of body and soul before it has begun to live. There are many scenes which will remain permanently etched upon the memory of the beholder . . . scenes terrific in their tragedy . . . scenes sublime in their heroism . . . scenes touching in their simple pathos. And always in the background is the tremendous panorama of the world’s greatest conflict Lewis Ayres, in the central role, Louis Wolheim and John Wray give performances that have never been surpassed on the motion-picture screen. Others in the large cast who stand prominently forth are Slim Summerville, Russell Gleason, William Bakewell, Scott Kolk, Walter Browne Rogers. Ben Alexander, Owen Davis, jun., and Zazu Pitts. Lewis Milestone has done a magnificent work as director. The broad sweep of war is never allowed to obscure thehuman beings whose fate is the foremost consideration in the picture. Owing to the length of “All Quiet” there is a very short supporting programme, only a Paramount Sound News and a musical selection by Mr. Howard Moody's orchestra.