Based on an event which occurred in 1906 concerning a mine disaster in France, the story has been updated to shortly after the Great War with the disaster now occurring in a mine that is French on one side and German on the other. Overall the picture serves as an anti-war, for co-operation between nations, message. This message is not laid on thick and cleverly forms part of the story. It is though, brought home very accurately and succinctly in the final scene.
One would hardly think that the scenery of "darn the pits" would be of much entertainment value, but this story is probably one of the first in the 'disaster genre'. The underground mine sets have been realistically re-created and one certainly gets a sense of feeling claustrophobic from watching what occurs there. It would appear that a lot of research has gone into the making of this film as everything about it seems natural and starkly real. A further emphasis on this realism is that the Germans speak German and the French speak French.
There are some who say that there were non-professional actors in this film, and the fact that they do so well in their parts conveying the very awfulness of their job has probably brought forth this opinion. The script too is not labored, and the dialogue only gives punctuation when necessary to the action. The direction by Pabst can only be described as brilliant. His crowd scenes are well composed, and the camera is given much fluidity whilst the cutting appears seamless.
In short, this is a dramatic film that looks totally real, has a high degree of excitement throughout, is well acted and beautifully photographed.
