Paths of Glory
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Movie Reviews of Paths of Glory
Movie Review: Probably Douglas' best role ever!
Summary: 5 Stars
I saw this film in a college course on film and I realize why. It is one of the best directed films ever made. The black and white works to perfection.This is my favorite Kirk Douglas film about the French military during WWI. A group of French soldiers are sent on an impossible mission. When they obviously fail, the General afraid of losing face for a stupid decision, decides to court martial some of the soldiers as a punishment. Three soldiers are singled out. One obviously fought very bravely and another was hit on the head and knocked unconcious during the battle. Their stories are futile against the kangaroo French military court. Douglas tries valiently to act as their legal council and present their defense in vain.
From what I understand this film is still banned in France! I guess the humiliating loss during WWII did nothing to sway the French military from its self-conceived notion of being a great military power!
Movie Review: Amazing Film Timely As Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
One of Kubrick's best yet most obscure films, this movie is one of the finest anti-war productions ever. Kirk Douglas and Stanley Kubrick paired up for the first time here, with astounding results. Powerful and intelligent, this film is the story of corruption and decadence among the French general staff and of innocent men killed to satisfy the ego of the leaders, which is what war is anyway. Colonel Dax is ordered on an impossible charge, then his men are put on trial by such "legal" methods as drawing lots or because a commanding officer didn't like them. The trial scenes are poignant, and show what happens in a society where pride is the only thing that matters and an objective pondrance of the facts is forgone in favor of making examples and flying a flag. Just watch it for the ending, which is so moving, so symbolic and metaphoric, I will not put it into words. Enjoy. -m-Movie Review: Required for the Military
Summary: 5 Stars
I remember being shown a few movies as a young 2nd Lt in the US Marine Corps (such as Zulu) but this should be at the top of the list of required movies. This one will make you think, it offers lessons in leadership, morality decisions, obeying senseless and perhaps illegal orders, and the results that occur. It also shows the bond between warriors who have been in combat. From a historical perspective, it is very accurate, and shows the reasons that the French Army revolted in 1917 agains the generals. Would American fighting men have put up with this behavior? I don't think so today, and this movie helps to educate why soldiers should not blindly follow orders. In today's world, the general would be fragged. I only hope that if I were ever placed in the position Col Dax is, that I would rise up to the challenge as well as he did. I strongly recommend this movie.Movie Review: Young Kubrick triumph
Summary: 5 Stars
The Amazon review of this film is inaccurate in its assertion that this film was Kirk Douglas' idea. In fact the project was initiated by Stanley Kubrick and his partner James Harris. The script was shown to Douglas, whose committment secured the financing.The film was shot while Kubrick was still young and had his wits fully about him. It's wonderfully acted and crisply directed, and makes its sledgehammer impact in a hour and a half. No less a luminary than Winston Churchill purportedly commended its realism.To compare this masterpiece with Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket", another war film, released exactly thirty years later, is a very sad experience. All of his skills and mental acuity had deserted him, and he took two and a half hours to say nothing at all. But that pratfall can't diminish the brilliance of "Paths of Glory."Movie Review: All the Beauty and Monstrosity of Being Human
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I'll just come out and admit my bias now: This is one of my top five favorite movies. And Kubrick is my favorite director.
That being said, this is one hell of a morality tale. Three French soldiers are chosen to be put on trial for cowardice during a suicide raid on the German Ant Hill during World War I. The problem is that the only one who knows of their innocence, Col. Dax, is outnumbered in his opinion of the men on trial. He decides to be their lawyer and defend them. Can Dax save the three innocent soldiers?
The ending is the best part of the movie, it's moving and heartfelt. It exemplifies in a single scene what the entire movie is about-humanity and all of it's moral complexity, seen objectively through film.
Great, great movie. Deserves more attention...