Plot summary

WWI, Germany, 1916. Encouraged by jingoistic Professor Kantorek to fight for the Fatherland, idealistic high school graduate Paul Baumer and his patriotic classmates enlist in the Imperial German Army. However, as Paul and his friends march off to the front, eager to risk life and limb for the glory of Germany, the horrors of war shape the soft boys into disciplined troopers, robbing them of their innocence. And as the battle-scarred brothers-in-arms struggle to survive the chaos of trench warfare, disillusioned Paul questions his decision and sanity.—Nick Riganas