This film had so much potential, a decent budget, some good actors, a very good origin novel. Showing the madness of war in a decent story was totally in the cards.
Unfortunately, German movies often fail when it comes to proper depth, plot, and atmosphere. This movie is no exception. I'm sorry but well shot battle scenes, great sets/camera and realistic make-up cannot carry a 2.5h movie.
The parallel plot with peace negotiations is so badly written, simple and with flat almost cartoon like characters that one sometimes imagines this is a parody.
They should have saved the budget for Daniel Brühl and invested in a decent director and screenplay with an actual story to tell. We got it after the first 30 minutes that WWI was unbelievably brutal, what's the added value of continuing to film different versions of the butchering for another 2h?
I recommend to watch the original 1930 movie instead or to read the book, both of which are excellent and leave a deep impression.
Unfortunately, German movies often fail when it comes to proper depth, plot, and atmosphere. This movie is no exception. I'm sorry but well shot battle scenes, great sets/camera and realistic make-up cannot carry a 2.5h movie.
The parallel plot with peace negotiations is so badly written, simple and with flat almost cartoon like characters that one sometimes imagines this is a parody.
They should have saved the budget for Daniel Brühl and invested in a decent director and screenplay with an actual story to tell. We got it after the first 30 minutes that WWI was unbelievably brutal, what's the added value of continuing to film different versions of the butchering for another 2h?
I recommend to watch the original 1930 movie instead or to read the book, both of which are excellent and leave a deep impression.