Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Tonypolito — 16 Jul 2011

A second-tier essential.

For political and personal gain, French generals cook up a suicide charge out of the WWI trenches. Kirk Douglas as commander tries to lead the charge, but most of the troops refuse to pop out of the trenches just so they can be gunned down in the open. Three of the soldiers are chosen, more or less at random, to be tried and shot for treason & cowardice - to teach the troops a lesson (though surely the Roman tactic of decimation was far more effective in that regard). Douglas tries to save their lives through legal argument and political gambits. Based on a 1935 novel crafted out of actual WWI events.

This was the last of Kubrick's films NOT to be nominated for serious award. But some of Kubrick's directorial trademarks are seen beginning to blossom herein: long tracking shots, cavernous and ornate rooms as set pieces. One especially interesting Kubrick visual occurs during the trial, in a room with a floor of chessboard pattern. As each solider individually steps into the center of it to testify, standing there so isolated, he looks just like the sacrificed pawn that he is.

Still, the film relies on its dramatic anti-war sentiment/message and Douglas' dramatic delivery for the majority of its strength. And that message -- that individuals in power are too often motivated by baser means rather than the stewardship with which they've been entrusted -- is a pretty durn dated message.

TRIVIA: Kubrick discovered actress Christine Harlan while shooting in Bavaria and cast her in the final scene as a German prisoner singing a German folk song. She is the only woman seen in the film. Kubrick married her.

RECOMMENDATION: The plotline and outcome are certainly no surprise, but still it's excellent war drama as well as study of human behavior. Quality viewing time.