Paths of Glory
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Movie Reviews of Paths of Glory
Movie Review: A complex trip through the trenches of Kubrick's head
Summary: 5 Stars
Paths of Glory is a complicated film experience, that on first viewing appears to be an anti-war diatribe, but repeated viewings make it far more complex. The film's plot revolves around the brutality of trench warfare and the total disconnection between the suffering of the foot soldier and the French Army's High Command. The generals, fearing mutiny among their exhausted soldiers, order executions after the failure to take a position. The three martyrs are represented by their commanding officer, who also happens to be a lawyer (Kirk Douglas), but since they are sacrificial lambs, chosen by lot, their fate is preordained. It is the dance of death that Kubrick focuses on, in the trenches, in the elegant chateau that houses the senile General Command, and the courtroom where the farce is played out. This is not the first film focusing on the total stupidity of trench warfare. All Quiet on the Western Front(by Lewis Milestone) and The Road to Glory (Howard Hawks) are equally effective in portraying the madness of WWI. Paths of Glory is equally fascinating for revealing the concerns that Kubrick would focus on throughout the rest of his career. These concerns go way beyond plot and story. Kubrick worked with first rate writers on this film (Jim Thompson and Calder Willingham), but the vision is his own. The endless brutal moving camera as it snakes through the trenches, pulling the characters through the crazed landscape, the lateral tracking shots during the attack sequences, the brilliantly composed close ups of men under unending duress and pressure all help to create a universe that is beyond the control of man. Kubrick's vision is one of the strongest visual creations in modern cinema and should not be forgotten when we get caught up in the compelling storyline. His connection with Kirk Douglas was so successful that when the filming of Spartacus ran into directorial roadblocks, the star was able to convince the producers to bring in the unknown Kubrick to take on the Hollywood mega epic. The producers of Spartacus had never heard of Paths of Glory and it is only through video tape that we can get to see a crucial work from Kubrick's early career. It's also a great companion piece to Full Metal Jacket, another Kubrick war film released thirty years later and a film that continues to display the director's concern with creating a visual world of total entrapment that is outside the comprehension of the ordinary man.Movie Review: War Is Hell, But Even Hell Can Have Its Moments Of Humanity
Summary: 5 Stars
With one hundred and ten reviews posted at this time, there seems little else that can be said to shed new light on this classic antiwar movie. Yes Kubrick demonstrates, even at this early stage of his career his deft hand at detail and dramatic effect. And Kirk Douglas, perhaps the greatest living American film actor delivers a performance of unparaelled depth and intensity. Finally we have the superlative performances of veteran actors George McReady, Ralph Meeker and Adolf Menjou, each providing stalworth supporting roles.
But all of this has been exhustively chronicled by other Amazon reviewers. So what do I offer here that has not been said before? What startles me the most each time I view Paths Of Glory, (and I've watched it more than a dozen times) is the ending. We know that Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) is set on a collision course with General Mireau (George McReady). This has been orchestrated by Commander Broulard (Adolf Menjou) in the scene where he entices Dax to accept a promotion in order to initiate an inquiry of Marshall Mireau's decision to fire upon his own troops. This marks the climax of the hypocricy of war, as it is played out by the lofty Generals and their foot soliders, who are mere pawns in their unholy game of war.
However, the movie avoids this conforntation and abrumptly turns torward a much simplier, but more humane theme. Colonel Dax walks across a coutyard and hears the roar of soliders, amused and diverting their attention away from the trenches. They're enjoying a little RR at the local bistro. The MC is offering a rufugee fraulion to provide entertainment to the exhusted troops. Naturally she is greeted at first with jeers and ridicule. But as she sings her song the soliders slowly begin to respond with a rare display of emotion and humanity that is totally unexpected.
It is this final scene that I find the most intriguing and poinant moment in the entire film. Here are men who have suffered unbearable horrors by both the enemy and their own commanders. They have lost countless troops and whitnessed three of their own senselessly destroyed to justify the blunder of an ambitious General. Yet they still have the capacity to respond, when their emotions are touched by the sweet, young, innocent voice of the beautiful German girl forced to sing to the enemy. Yes war is hell, but even hell can have its moments of humanity.
Movie Review: One Of The Greatest Films Ever: A Masterpiece!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is not only one of the greatest films ever, but one of the greatest anti-war films ever made. I have seen this film countless times, and it has not only held up to time, but is as relevant today as it was when it was first released. There was a program called 'BATTLE CRY' when I was a kid, and I remember first seeing this on the television with my father. I had 7 great uncles who faught in France during WWI [one was KIA] and two of them died before I was old enough to talk to them about this war. The last surviving one, who was severly wounded at the Argonne Forest, died in 1996 [at the age of 98] This film reminds me of all of them. The story's narrative deals with military incompetence and the implications that are about to befall three men whose actions are deemed as cowardice in the face of the enemy.
General Mireau (George MacReady) is insistant that the latest failure of his troops to advance further into the German strongholds must be dealt with in a severe fashion. He wants men selected for summary execution for cowardice. MacReady does an excellent portrayal of the French General who cannot accept the reality that the war is a stalemate. Neither side can enroach on the other, and the casualties are horrendous. When Gen. Mireau demands that the 'Ant Hill' be taken [an important military objective] He is warned by Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) that it is impossible. Not willing to listen to reason, Gen. Mireau orders his troops to take the hill.
The hill is neither taken, nor is there any good news about the condition of the men on the mission. Many have been killed and wounded, and advancement is no longer a priority with the men, as they retreat back to their trenches. As a result, Gen. Mireau order executions of those who returned to the trenches. A problems exists however, as everyone [officers included] retreated due to the impossible conditions of the battle. When Colonel Dax is told that three men are to be selected for courts-martial, [and execution if found guilty] he decides to defend them. As council for defense he brings to light many inconsistencies and errors of judgment on the part of Gen. Mireau. This film is great. It is in black-and-white, and is my favorite Stanley Kubrick film. A must have for your collection. At least rent it once anyway. Highly recomended. [Stars: 5+]
Movie Review: enough to make you weep...
Summary: 5 Stars
Kirk Douglas' portrayal of the heartbreakingly courageous Col. Dax is a portrait in heroic futility. Dax is an French officer in the most pointless war, but most portentous war, of the Twentieth Century. His men are ordered to take an impregnable German position. Many men in the front ranks don't even get fully out of their trenches before they are slaughtered by an impenetrable hail of German lead and steel. The surviving rear ranks cower in the trenches rather than face inevitable death. The French General, who had pictured himself covered with medals, orders his artillery to shell his own lines. The artillery officer refuses to take verbal orders and demands them in writing. The General, who is more cowardly than the men he sent to death, refuses to put it in writing.
The General has a better idea--decimation. It's an ancient Roman custom. Should your army fail, execute every tenth man. Col. Dax, at the risk of his life and own reputation, refuses to obey such an incredible order. He can't, however, prevent it entirely. Three men--men dripping with combat medals--are to be shot for cowardice. Men who'd shown themselves to be heros in previous battles are shot as cowards.
Kirk Douglas is great. His character literally seethes with indignation and anger. The telling moment, however, comes at the end of the film. A terrified but lovely German girl--a captive of the French--is forced to sing in front of leering, jeering French soldiers. She sings a song of home. The words are German but every man understands. The ribald shouting dies down and rugged warriors openly weep. They are all truly the same and they're murdering one another. No one knows how to stop.
Ron Braithwaite author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico
Movie Review: Timeless, brilliant anti-war masterpiece
Summary: 5 Stars
A 29 year old Stanley Kubrick already renowned for his skillful directorial talent firmly cemented his reputation with the haunting wartime classic "Paths of Glory". Kubrick adroitly depicted the abject dehumanization brought by war in this still important flick. The film is set in 1916 France where German and French forces are stalemated in the ultimately fruitless butchery of trench warfare.
Kirk Douglas in one of his finest acting performances as sensitive and humane French Colonel Dax is in command of the 701st regiment. In a decision propagated by French generals Broulard and Mireau played magnificently bt Adolphe Menjou and George Macready, the 70lst is ordered on a suicide attack on a highly fortified German position known as "The Ant Hill". While cozily nestled in a lavish chateau behind the front lines the generals in effect will insert some 8000 men, mired in muddy fortified trenches into a meat grinder of artillery and machine gun fire.
Led by Douglas in the attack into withering fire the offensive fails miserably as a large portion of the troops fail to leave the trenches and join the attack. The incensed Macready observing the failure demands justice for the cowardice displayed by his troops. To assuage his lofty ego he demands that 3 men from Douglas' regiment be court martialed for cowardice.
Douglas who in civilian life was an eminent criminal attorney, defends the men in a court martial empaneled to find them guilty.
Ironically three innocent men must stand charges to cover for the poor miltary planning of the general staff.
Kubrick's film speaks loudly in its condemnation of war and of the archaic beliefs that comprise what passes for military justice.