Bring on the tough stuff. There’s not just one right answer.
- Why do you think Universal, an American film company, choose a story about German soldiers despite America and Germany being enemies in WWI? Do you see any significance in this given its story and themes?
- Why do you suppose the film's protagonist is Paul? What does he provide the story that is different from, say, an old war dog like Kat or the patriotic Himmelstoss?
- How does the film treat its few female characters? What does this suggest to you about the ideals of war as well as its realities?
- How does the film depict the mental and physical violence of war? Do you think these depictions are effective in its anti-war message?
- What does the film have to say to you about the ideals of patriotism and the importance of nations versus the sanctity of the individual and his rights?
- Watch another war movie but about a different war. How do the two movies show war differently? How do they show it the same? Based on this comparison, what do these two movies have to say about their particular wars and war overall?
- Does the film change the way you see war? Why or why not?