10 Blood-Stirringly Epic Cinematic Charges

4. All Quiet On The Western Front (1930)

The Charge: Over the top

The oldest entry on this list, All Quiet on the Western Front portrays the harrowing experience of life on the front lines during World War I. Based upon the originally German language book by Erich Maria Remarque, the film tells this story from the perspective of the Germans, something which is quite unusual for our screens, particularly for a major Hollywood film.

The film has strong anti-war themes and makes an effort to shatter the illusions of the glory of war. This is portrayed succinctly at the beginning of the film, when a professor gives a passionate and patriotic speech to his students about saving the Fatherland. However when Paul Bäumer and his friends arrive at the front they are confronted with a very different reality, a chaotic war-zone. The contrasting images of propaganda vs reality drives this theme home.

Soon after the group arrive in the trenches, the French attack. This charge is unique among the others on this list as there is no background score or music. The scene starts with a heavy silence, and then only the sounds of screaming shells, thundering explosions, the chattering of machine guns, and the cries of dying men. Horrifying, and awe inspiring.