Paths of Glory (1957)

• Year: 1957
• Released: 25 Dec 1957
• Country: United States
• Adwords: Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award7 wins & 4 nominations total
• IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0050825/
• Rotten Tomatoes: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Paths_of_Glory
• Metacritics: https://www.metacritic.com/movie/paths-of-glory
• Available in: 720p, 1080p,
• Language: English, German, Latin
• MPA Rating: Approved
• Genre: Drama, War
• Runtime: 88 min
• Writer: Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson
• Director: Stanley Kubrick
• Cast: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou
• Keywords: based on novel or book, cult film, black and white, soldier, france,

	8.4/10
	90/100
	96% – Critics
	95% – Audience

Paths of Glory Storyline

1916. The trench warfare between the French and Germans on the battlefields of France results in little advancement of troops on either side – each advancement in tens of meters rather than kilometers – but in many casualties. Thus, the request by French General George Broulard to his subordinate General Paul Mireau to lead an attack to capture the Anthill, a key German held position which is just visible from the current French trench position, is generally regarded as futile. The request is largely one out of want for personal glory for the French military’s upper echelon with little regard for the soldiers. Mireau hesitates in accepting the assignment until he learns that a prestigious promotion is on the line, one that is his regardless of success or failure. The regiment he assigns to carry out the attack is led by Colonel Dax, who has no other option but to obey orders despite both he and Mireau knowing the regiment’s casualties would number over half without any guarantee of success. While Mireau’s eyes are on his own personal gain, Dax is concerned both with carrying out the mission to the best of his ability while protecting his soldiers as a collective. What happens on the battlefield leads to a further rift in overall beliefs between Mireau and Dax in what is best for French society. What also results from the battle is a legal issue scapegoating three of Dax’s soldiers, he who will protect his men to the best of his abilities against the cards stacked against them by the military elite.

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Paths of Glory Movie Reviews

A marvelous film about the STUPIDIST war in history with a dynamic performance by Douglas

This is a wonderful film and for those who are looking to see a Stanley Kubrick film that the average person can relate to, this is a great initiation to the director’s work. Some of his films are a bit hard to understand or frankly make my head hurt (2001 is a great example), but this one is much more straight-forward and conventional than most of his other films while still being a great film.

The movie is based on a real incident in WWI. When a squad of French soldiers were ordered “over the top” (i.e., to crawl out of the trenches and charge across the battlefield while being shot down like dogs–the standard way of fighting on the Western Front), the men were so sick of the pointless fighting that they refused. As a result, the officers (who are shown sitting many miles behind the lines sipping sherry and living a life of opulence) order that some soldiers randomly be taken out of the group to be executed as an example to the others! The complete unfairness of the punishment, the futility of the war and the fact that the leaders were a group of soul-less fiends were the focus of this intensely interesting film.

The lead was played by Kirk Douglas. His job was to defend these poor men, but it soon becomes obvious that the trial is a show trial–the men are doomed from the outset. In some films, Douglas’ style of acting is not very appropriate, but his bigger than life acting style and the way he ultimately explodes at his superiors is a wonderful addition to the film. He single-handedly acts like the conscience of the nation–something that was clearly lacking. A wonderful and intense performance on his part–perhaps only surpassed by his lead in the film LUST FOR LIFE.

This is a wonderful film about this war–a wonderful film to be seen along with ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT. Any true fan of film should see this movie.

Kubrick at the height of his powers- a wonderfully atmospheric film about the First World War

I saw this movie for the first time on television today, after being persuaded by the reviews I read beforehand praising it. Also I like Kirk Douglas. Although I am not directly familiar with Kubrick’s work, a shameful admission I know. Out of what I have seen so far I loved Dr Strangelove and despite only seeing it once while flicking through channels liked The Shining too. Anyway back on target, Paths of Glory was brilliant in my opinion!

Winston Churchill famously claimed that it was this movie that was closest to evoking the atmosphere of WW1 and the military mind. And you know what, he is right. For one thing, Paths of Glory is gorgeously filmed, with relentlessly beautiful cinematography and nice costumes and scenery. The screenplay is sometimes humorous, sometimes moving and sometimes even haunting, either way it was some fine writing. The efficiency of Kubrick’s direction is proof of a great man at work.

The performances were superb. As the general who orders the hopeless attack on the German position, Adolphe Menjou’s character is perceived as a villain not because of being an officer adhering to the letter, but that he is seen as “the arrogant aristocrat” because of his fear of the working classes than his hatred of the enemy. Among the cast, Timothy Carey and Kirk Douglas especially were outstanding. And the music? That is one rousing score I can tell you. Great movie. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Stands the Test of Time

An arrogant French general (a superb George Macready) orders his men on a suicide mission and then has the gall to try to court marshal and execute three of them for cowardice in the face of the enemy. A former lawyer turned colonel (Kirk Douglas in his prime) is the voice of reason against gross injustice. This excellently staged and wonderfully acted production is as much an acting showcase for Douglas as it is a directorial masterstroke by a young Stanley Kubrick who adapted this to the screen from a novel based on actual accounts.

Kubrick displays a great control of sound effects and camera movement in the brief but effective battle scenes that expertly depict the controlled chaos that was trench warfare during WWI. Things get juicier during the ensuing courtroom battle where the deafening disparity between the elite who propagate and profit from war and the common citizens who suffer and die in war is shown with great lucidity.

Unlike later Kubrick epics, this runs at a crisp 90 minutes, though suffers briefly from a slow and awkwardly staged opening ten minutes before Douglas comes on screen. Ultimately, this holds up very well to modern scrutiny thanks to the flawlessness of Kurbick’s craft, the amazing ensemble acting, and the surprising depth of its philosophical and psychological pondering. “Paths of Glory” is more anti-arrogance than anti-war, and is unapologetically sentimental and pro-soldier. As such, much can still be gleaned from its message.