Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Aaron V — 30 Jul 2010

300th review: After his first notable film (THE KILLING 1955) to win the attention of most critic and studios, Stanley Kubrick next film seat him on the path of glory with the anti war masterpiece PATHS OF GLORY. Set during the depths of the First World War, this film looks at Military justice, Military Politics and the treatment of the lower ranks by their superiors. With the eerie and hypnotic black and white cinema photography each shot of this film recreates the distorted horrors of the western front which clashes brilliantly with the stunning grandeurs of chateaus of the generals. Now Stanley Kubrick actually co-wrote the screenplay which results in a dramatic tale.

The Plot: In the year 1916 behind French lines were Generals Bourlard and Mireau discuses attacking a heavily fortified German position nearby called the Ant Hill. Mireau is reluctant at first to commit such suicide mission with the risk of many of his men being lost but with the knowledge their might be a promotion involved Mireau changes his attitude and insist on taking full charge over the attack.

In the next series of scenes we see Mireau in the front lines asking the tired soldier if ?THEY ARE READY TO KILL MORE GERMANS? most of the soldiers answer yes but when he asks a shell shocked solider Mireau slaps him around and calling him a coward. (Now this scene screams a famous scene from the movie PATTON (1970) were General Patton slaps a shell shocked soldier, although this did actually happen with the real general I can help but to wonder if this scene was slightly influenced by this film). Mireau visits the commanding officer Colonel Dax (play incredibly by Kirk Douglas) to prepare his men for the assult on the ant hill. Dax protest the decision but reluctantly accepts Mireau?s orders even though Dax is well aware its total suicide mission.

When the attack happens it?s a total disaster, the troops are pinned down by heavy and steady enemy fire which forces them to return to their trenches. However Mireau is out raged by this to him he sees this as an act of cowardice, Mireau even orders without paper work the firing of French artillery upon his troops to force them to attack the German position. With total defeat looming the attack is called off but General Mireau is so outraged by the failed attack he arranges a court martial proceeding to immediately take place. The result three innocent soldiers are picked out each of the three companies that took part in the failed attack, their commanding officer Colonel Dax now has to try to defend the doomed men in an unfair trial. Now I?m not going to give away the ending of this film but what I will say is the final act of the film reveals the character Colonel Dax?s humanity in an inhumane situation.

With its moving script, commanding performance from Kirk Douglas as the lead and Kubrick?s photographic knack with Black and White cinema photography, PATHS OF GLORY is without a doubt one of the best Anti-war films ever made along with Kubrick?s other anti-war classic FULL METAL JACKET. 100/100 Kubrick?s first true clam to greatness occurred with this film.