All Quiet on the Western Front (1979)

All Quiet on the Western Front Movie poster Country United Kingdom United States Directed by Delbert Mann Release Date November 14, 1979 Language English French Studio Norman Rosemont Productions Distributor ITC Entertainment Main Cast Character Actor Paul Bäumer Richard Thomas Stanislaus Katczinsky Ernest Borgnine Kantorek Donald Pleasence Himmelstoss Ian Holm Paul’s Mother Patricia Neal Peter Leer Dominic Jephcott Detering Ewan Stewart Paul’s Father Michael Sheard

All Quiet on the Western Front is the 1979 television film adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque's antiwar novel that had been previously adapted as a 1930 feature film as well as a 2022 film that premiered on the streaming platform Netflix. Although this film, shot in Czechoslovakia, sticks more closely to the original book and was also produced with more modern technical means and in color, it also received good reviews overall and was awarded a Golden Globe for best film production for television in 1980, the remake did not achieve the level of recognition and popularity of Lewis Milestone's original version.

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

Rifles

Mauser Model 1903/30

Throughout the movie, most of the German soldiers including Paul Bäumer (Richard Thomas), Stanislaus Katczinsky (Ernest Borgnine), Josef Behm (Paul Mark Elliott), Albert Kropp (David Bradley), Friedrich Müller (Matthew Evans), Franz Kemmerich (George Winter), Peter Leer (Dominic Jephcott), Tjaden (Mark Drewry), Westhus (Colin Mayes), Detering (Ewan Stewart), and Himmelstos (Ian Holm) are inaccurately seen using Turkish Model 1903/30s as a stand-in for the similar German Gewehr 98. You can tell it is a Mauser 1903/30 by the lack of the Langes Visier rear sight, finger groove seen on most Gewehr 98s, and the characteristic front barrel band seen on the Mauser 98 and many of its derivatives. These Mauser used in the movie are mainly equipped with Turkish M1890 bayonets; but also German Seitengewehr 98/05s and Czech vz. 24 knife bayonets.

Mauser Model 1903/30 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

Paul Bäumer (Richard Thomas) with the Mauser 1903/30 and attached Turkish M1890 bayonet.

German soldiers in training with Mauser 1903/30s. Note the large stripper clip bridges and the notches on top of the receiver; all features of a post-WWI updated 1903 Turkish Mauser.

A shot of the left side of the Mauser aimed by Paul.

Another shot of the Mauser in action.

German soldiers with Mauser 1903/30s.

Lebel Mle. 1886

The historically accurate French Lebel 1886 can be seen used by most of the French Soldiers.

Fusil Lebel Modèle 1886-M93 - 8x50mmR Lebel

French soldiers with the Lebel 1886.

The soldier in the foreground cycles the bolt handle.

Paul Bäumer (Richard Thomas) after severely wounding French soldier Gerard Duval (Mark Roemmich) he realizes that the two of them are not that different and shows some compassion by trying to help him.

Machine Guns

ZB-53 / Vz.37 (Maxim MG08 mockup)

In the first scene where French soldiers attack the German trench and in some later battle scenes, a ZB-53 / Vz.37, modified to look like a Maxim MG08 can be seen. French soldiers use some unmodified ZB-53s.

ZB 53 / vz. 37 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

German soldiers mow down several attackers with the modified ZB53.

Maxim MG 08

In a brief shot, a genuine Maxim MG08 is seen on the battlefield. This Maxim is seen operated by actors Richard Thomas and Ernest Borgnine in a behind-the-scenes image.

Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm Mauser

The genuine Maxim MG 08 in an unfavorable emerged position. This Maxim is not fired on screen.

Hotchkiss M1909

In the first battle scene, a mounted Hotchkiss M1909 is used by a French soldier.

Hotchkiss Modèle 1909 Benét–Mercié - 8x50mmR Lebel

The French soldier with the Hotchkiss M1909.

Hand Grenades

Model 24 Stielhandgranate

The Model 24 Stielhandgranate is used in numerous occasions by German soldiers. It is an anachronism as the Model 24 was manufactured from 1924, after WWI. It should be a Model 17 Stielhandgranate, but M17 dummy grenades were unavailable.

Stielhandgranate Modell 24

Josef Behm (Paul Mark Elliott) readies a Model 24 to throw it on French soldiers cutting the barbed wire.

A stick grenade tucked into Westhus' (Colin Mayes) belt.

Model 43 Stielhandgranate

Paul Bäumer (Richard Thomas) used in fight also anachronistic Model 43 Stielhandgranate with a fragmentation sleeve.

Stielhandgranate Modell 43

Paul Bäumer removes a pin from the bottom of the stick, which is not correct for the Model 43 Stielhandgranate, as the fuse is located on top of the warhead.