Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Jason J — 06 Aug 2010

An outstanding and remarkable anti-war movie by Stanley Kubrick. Kirk Douglas plays Frenchman Colonel Dax, who is ordered to make an impossible assault on a heavily-fortified enemy position. The only reason this charge is being made is that his Commanding General believes that capturing the position will earn him a promotion. When the assault does not go forward under heavy enemy bombardment, the General is infuriated and demands that three men be arbitrarily chosen to stand trial for cowardice, an offense punishable by death. Colonel Dax defends these men at their court-martial.

One of the best if not the most realistic, most emotionally draining, and most beautifully photographed movie ever made about trench warfare in WWI, which has to be considered to be one of the significant episodes in all of human history. The story is fiction, but the events are patterned after some actual mutinies in the French army that took place in 1917. This movie is quite simply perfect. There are no flaws in the acting, the pace of the movie, the photography, the dialogue, etc. Scene after scene is more powerful and ironic than the preceding one, building to a shattering climax. It is simply a gem. Kirk Douglas is amazing as Colonel Dax - all his good intentions mean nothing. All his protests mean nothing. Whether he leads his men to success or failure, they still lose. It's heartbreaking watching Colonel Dax standing helplessly on the sidelines watching his men executed for failing to take an insignificant Ant Hill. The ending involving a German girl being mocked in front of a baying crowd of rowdy French soldiers is incredibly moving. A must-see for all movie lovers.