Plot
This story is neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war... — Opening caption
Early in World War I Professor Kantorek gives an impassioned speech to his students about the glory of defending the fatherland. The boys, led by Paul Bäumer, enthusiastically enlist in the German Army. Their romantic delusions are shattered during rigorous training under the abusive Sergeant Himmelstoss.
The new soldiers are attacked by artillery even before they reach their front line positions. The 2nd Company is composed of older, unwelcoming veterans, and they pay Corporal "Kat" Katzinsky for a meal of stolen hog with their tobacco, alcohol, and soap. Their first mission with the veterans is a harrowing experience, during which one of them is killed. Another loses his nerve after several days under bombardment and is killed trying to escape the trenches. Their first major attack results in heavy losses on both sides but no change in territory. When the company is relieved, each man receives double rations because they suffered so many casualties. Their discussion about the causes of the war does nothing to change anyone's thinking about the nature of war.
When Himmelstoss arrives at the front, he is spurned because of his bad reputation and forced to go over the top with the 2nd Company. He is killed quickly after showing himself to be a coward. During the battle Paul stabs a French soldier and becomes increasingly distraught as he spends the night trapped in a shell-hole with the dying man. He attempts first aid and begs for forgiveness and returns to the German lines, where he is comforted by Kat.
Paul and his good friend Albert Kropp are severely wounded by artillery fire behind the lines and sent to a Catholic hospital. Paul is taken to the bandaging ward and makes an unexpected recovery. His elation is tempered by the depression of Albert, who has lost his legs. Paul visits his family at home on furlough, shocked how uninformed and optimistic everyone is. Visiting Kantorek's schoolroom he's asked to share his experiences and when unexpectedly expresses disillusionment with the war, the students call him a coward.
Paul cuts his furlough short and returns to the 2nd Company, now filled with replacement even younger than his class had been. The only familiar face is Tjaden, who tells him the fates of several of their comrades. Paul greets Kat as he returns from foraging, and they discuss the grim outlook of the war. An aerial bomb breaks Kat's shin, so Paul carries him back to a field hospital, where he later discovers a second explosion has killed Kat. Crushed by the loss of his mentor, Paul stumbles away while the medics play cards.
Back at the front, Paul sees a butterfly just outside the trench. He reaches overtop the sandbagged parapet to hold the butterfly and is killed by a sniper. Superimposed over the image of a military cemetery, Paul and his classmates are seen arriving at the front for the first time.
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