All Quiet on the Western Front (1930)

At the time of its publication, Erich Maria Remarque’s novel All Quiet on the Western Front received harsh criticism from the get-go. Despite being one of the greatest literary successes in German history, the internationally best-selling World War I story was controversial at best and even banned and burned in protest in countries like Germany.

In 1930, the book was picked up for its big-screen adaptation with director Lewis Milestone at the helm. Although the motion picture was initially approved for screening by Berlin’s Supreme Censorship Board, audiences were quick to leave in a terrified frenzy. The film was later banned in both Germany and Australia.