All Quiet on the Western Front written by Scots triathlete Lesley Paterson scoops up four Oscars

Scots filmmaker Lesley Paterson is celebrating after All Quiet on the Western Front scooped four gongs at the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles.

The triathlete – who used earnings from her race wins to keep hold of the rights to the 1929 Erich Remarque novel – previously picked up seven Baftas for the German-language film.

It was nominated in nine categories including best adapted screenplay at the 95th Academy Awards, winning best international feature film, cinematography, original score, and production design.

James Friend’s award for best cinematography made the film one of the UK’s modest four Oscars at this year’s ceremony.

Speaking after the ceremony, Paterson said she was “gutted” to have lost the trophy for best adapted screenplay, but planned to celebrate the film’s overall success regardless.

Lesley Paterson told STV News of how she paid for the story rights with race wins. STV News

The triathlete bought the rights to the film in 2006, but it took almost 15 years for Netflix to green light the project following a meeting with director Edward Berger in 2020.

The anti-war film took home seven Baftas in February – breaking the record for the most awards won by a foreign language film.

Paterson also won the Bafta for best screenplay – and promised to give an assembly to her old school after the Oscars.

Children at Paterson's old school, Allan's Primary. have been learning about the triathlete-turned-screenwriter. — Children at Paterson’s old school, Allan’s Primary. have been learning about the triathlete-turned-screenwriter. STV News

“We are so delighted because for us it’s been a former pupil who has really demonstrated the grit and determination and the resilience and never given up on her dream,” Allan’s Primary headteacher Lindsey Howland said at the time.

“For us that is so motivational and inspiring; for our children at Allan’s Primary, for Stirling’s children and for children all over Scotland.

“So we’re immensely proud.”