All Quiet on the Western Front

under whom Paul serves, remains determined to keep his men fighting to the bitter end.

The script, which Berger penned with Lesley Paterson and Ian Stokell, emphasizes the stark lesson Paul learns about the shared humanity of warriors on both sides of the conflict. But it also showcases as a token of the civilized life he and his pals have left behind — and to which they naturally long to return — a perfumed scarf obtained during a casual liaison with a local Frenchwoman.

Perhaps Remarque’s work, overall, has become a victim of its own success. At this remove, Paul comes across more as an archetype than an individual while his creator’s anti-war message has been echoed so often that it feels hackneyed.

Still, those grown viewers willing to immerse themselves in the madness against which Remarque so powerfully protested will find affecting moments to cherish amid the squalid slaughter.

In German. Subtitles or dubbed into English.

By John Mulderig, OSV News

NEW YORK (Catholic Review Media) — German author and World War I veteran Erich Maria Remarque’s classic novel “All Quiet on the Western Front” first appeared in serialized form in 1928. Published as a book the following year, his tale became a runaway bestseller, not only in Germany but around the globe as well.

As for Hollywood’s 1930 screen version, helmed by Lewis Milestone, it was the first such adaptation to win the Academy Award for Best Picture (then termed “for Outstanding Production”). Delbert Mann’s 1979 made-for-TV film — a joint British and American project that featured a high- pacific theme of his movie, as inherited from Remarque, they should be aware, going in, that it details the horrors of trench-based combat unsparingly.

As the action kicks off in the spring of 1917, high school student Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer) and his circle of friends are swept up in patriotic fervor and rashly enlist in the German Army. Their naïve enthusiasm is quickly transformed into terror and misery, however, by the condi- dies receive guidance from a seasoned and zinsky (Albrecht Schuch). And, in fact, by the time the storyline fast-forwards 18 months to the last days of the struggle, the lads themselves have become hardened.

Even as peace approaches, though, the soldiers remain pawns in the hands of their nation’s divided leaders. Thus, although some politicians — personified here by Centre Party leader Matthias Erzberger (Daniel Brühl) — gradually accept the need for an armistice, pampered and fanatical Gen. Friedrich (Devid Striesow), photo by Reiner Bajo -© Netflix 2022

Look for: Values in harmony with Christian teaching. Look out for: Harshly explicit war violence with much gore, grisly images, offscreen but benignly presented nonmarital sexual activity, mature references, a couple of profanities, about a half-dozen milder oaths, fleeting rough language and several crude and crass terms.

The Catholic Moviegoer’s guidance is L — suitable for a limited mature audience. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

Formerly a staff member for Catholic News Service, John Mulderig has been reviewing visual media from a Catholic perspective for 15 years. His column is syndicated by Catholic Review Media.

Pro-Life Advocates

On January 20, tens of thousands of pro-life advocates arrived in the nation’s capital for the 50th March for Life. It was the first national march since the overturn of the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that initially prompted the annual demonstration. Joining the marchers were students and teachers from Mount Saint Mary Academy, Watchung. Pictured at right they included, from left, Theology teacher Michelle Kovach, sophomores Katherine Byrne and Grace Prayias, freshman Sophia Chmura, and Theology teacher Katherine Schmidt. Bottom of page, students and staff from the Catholic Center at Rutgers, New Brunswick. Besides the photo from Mount Saint Mary, all other photos show scenes with individuals from the Catholic Center. Their day started with Mass at St. Peter the Apostle Church celebrated by Father Jason Pavich, administrator. The group then traveled from New Brunswick to Washington, D.C. Afterwards, the group marched two miles from the National Mall up Constitution Avenue to the Supreme Court. Pictured at left are: left: Sister of Jesus Our Hope Anna Palka, campus minister, and Sister of Jesus Our Hope Ellen Kraft.

photos courtesy of Michelle Kovach, Mount Saint Mary Academy, and Brother Patrick Reilly, director, Catholic Center at Rutgers

Dear brothers and sisters, in two days [Jan. 31, 2023] I will depart on an Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and to the Republic of South Sudan. I thank the civil authorities and the local bishops for their invitations and for the preparations they have made for these visits, and I greet with affection those beloved peoples who await me.

These lands, situated in the center of the great African continent, have suffered greatly from lengthy conflicts. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially in the east of the country, suffers from armed clashes and exploitation. South Sudan wracked by years of war, longs for an end to the constant violence that forces many people to be displaced and to live in conditions of great hardship. In South Sudan, I will arrive together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Together, as brothers, we will make an ecumenical pilgrimage of peace, to entreat God and men to bring an end to the hostilities and for reconciliation.

I ask everyone, please, to accompany this Journey with prayers.