Although “Nothing New in the West” was written in German, no one in this country has yet dared to adapt Erich Remarque’s novel. Instead, there were two adaptations realised in English in 1930 and 1979. The first film adaptation is considered an absolute classic, has received a masterpiece rating of 5 stars from FILMSTARTS, has won several Oscars (including Best Picture) and will be released on 4 November in an ultramodern collector’s edition that will stand out as a real showpiece on every shelf at home.
As has been known for some time, Netflix has set itself the task of making a German version of “Nothing New in the West” – with many familiar faces, a lot of money behind it and, in the meantime, hopes of scooping a gold medal at the Oscars next year. Whether this will be the case remains to be seen. The first trailer, which has now been released for the anti-war film, promises really great cinema. And cinema is fitting at this point, because before “Nothing New in the West” is released on Netflix on 28 October, the film will also be shown in selected cinemas from 29 September.
THIS IS “NOTHING NEW IN THE WEST “
The story of “Nothing New in the West” centres on the young Paul Bäumer (Felix Kammerer). He decides to go to the First World War with a group of young guys full of euphoria. But the mood quickly changes when the boys have to fight for their lives in the trenches on the Western Front and experience the horrors of war first hand. There are no heroes here, only many, many dead.
In addition to newcomer Felix Kammerer, the cast of “Nothing New in the West” includes big names like Daniel Brühl (“Rush”) and Albrecht Schuch (“Berlin Alexanderplatz”). Aaron Hilmer (“Loneliness and Sex and Pity”), Edin Hasanovic (“Je Suis Karl”), Devid Striesow (“Nahschuss”) and Adrian Grünewald (“Sløborn”) are also in the cast. The film was directed by Edward Berger, who has already caused a stir with “Deutschland 83” or “Patrick Melrose” with Benedict Cumberbatch.