Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Brandon W — 06 Jan 2013

Stanley Kubrick's emotionally devastating, powerful, and provocative anti-war masterpiece follows a French colonel (Kirk Douglas) who leads his troops on a suicidal mission during WWI. When this mission is a complete disaster and some of the troops don't even leave the trenches, the French general (George MacReady) in charge of initiating the mission orders that three random soldiers be terminated for cowardice.

Disapproving of the general's unorthodox order, the colonel tries to do his best to save the lives of the three selected soldiers. Examining the unfortunate realities of war and how it can lead to corruption for some people while never losing sight of its strong range of emotion, Paths of Glory is a powerful motion picture experience.