In a world torn apart by war, a group of young students from Germany is drawn to the patriotic fervor that engulfed their country at the onset of World War I. Motivated by the militaristic spirit and the desire to prove their bravery, they enlist in the army, leaving behind their carefree lives in the classroom. However, what initially seemed like a heroic adventure quickly transforms into a terrifying descent into the horrors of armed conflict.
As the story unfolds, the protagonists, led by the enthusiastic Paul Bäumer, find themselves trapped in the brutal reality of war, where idealized notions of honor and glory crumble in the face of cruelty and loss. The camaraderie among the soldiers turns into a desperate struggle to survive in an environment of death and destruction, confronting not only the external enemy but also disillusionment and unimaginable trauma.
Paul and his friends' experiences reveal the devastating consequences of war, opening a window to the psychological anguish that soldiers endure. As the life they once knew fades away, the film poses profound questions about human nature, sacrifice, and the fight for identity in times of desperation. Through the experiences of these young men, the myth of war as a glorious experience is dismantled, revealing the heart-wrenching truth of a conflict that transforms men into shadows of themselves.