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All Quiet on the Western Front

Movie Poster

Country	United States
Directed by	Lewis Milestone
Release Date	April 21, 1930
Language	English French
Distributor	Universal Pictures

Main Cast
Character	Actor
Paul Bäumer	Lew Ayres
Stanislaus Katczinsky	Louis Wolheim
Cpl. Himmelstoss	John Wray
Franz Kemmerich	Ben Alexander
Leer	Scott Kolk
Peter	Owen Davis, Jr.
Tjaden	Slim Summerville

All Quiet on the Western Front is the 1930 feature film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's antiwar novel of the same name. The World War I film stars Lew Ayres as Paul Baumer, an idealistic young schoolboy who goes to war with the rest of his class on the urging of a patriotic teacher. In the trenches, however, they are quickly disillusioned when confronted with the horrors of war. The novel was adapted again as a 1979 television film. A sequel was released in 1937 under the title The Road Back directed by James Whale.

The following weapons were used in the film All Quiet on the Western Front (1930):

Rifles

Mauser Gewehr 1898

The German soldiers in the film, most noticeably Paul Baumer (Lew Ayres), use the Mauser Gewehr 1898, the standard-issue firearm for German forces in World War One. It is good to see authentic Gewehr 1898 rifles in a World War One film, rather than the Turkish or Czech Mausers that often stand in for them. This is likely due to production taking place shortly after the war itself.

Mauser Gewehr 1898 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers armed with Mauser Gewehr 1898 rifles march in a parade before being sent to the front.

Recruits drill with the rifles.

Paul Baumer (Lew Ayres) and several other recruits march on the parade ground.

Stanislaus Katczinsky (Louis Wolheim) carries a slung Mauser Gewehr 1898.

Paul aims his Gewehr at charging French soldiers.

Corporal Himmelstoss (John Wray) charges across No-Man's Land, bayonet fixed.

A German sniper picks off targets with his Gewehr 1898.

Paul sits in a bunker, Mauser rifle propped through the aiming hole.

Berthier Model 1907-15

French soldiers use the Berthier Model 1907-15 rifle, fitted with bayonets.

Berthier Fusil Modèle 1907-15 - 8 x 50R mm Lebel

A French soldier with a slung Berthier Model 1907-15.

A French and German soldier in close combat.

French soldiers charge with their Berthiers.

Paul places his helmet on a Berthier.

The wounded French soldier Gérard Duval (Raymond Griffith ) lies next to his Berthier.

Oberndorf Mauser Sporter

A French sniper uses a Oberndorf Mauser Sporter with a scope at the end of the movie.

Oberndorf Mauser Sporter - 9x57mm

A French soldier aims the Mauser sporter.

The sniper prepares to fire.

Machine Guns

Maxim MG08

The Maxim MG08 is used by German soldiers in defense of the trenches during the French assault. It is seen manned by three crewman - the gunner and two assistants whom "feed" the belt.

Maxim MG08 on 'sledge' mount - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers ready a Maxim MG08 during the French charge.

Another crew sight in their Maxim.

A German gunner mows down targets with his Maxim.

The German machine gun crew displace when the French soldiers reach the trenches.

Vickers Mk1

French soldiers repelling the German counterattack use a Vickers Mk1 Machine Gun before being killed by a grenade. It is interesting to see French soldiers using the Vickers, rather then the standard issue Hotchkiss M1914, but it is not impossible given the French - British alliance.