Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Stuart K — 30 Dec 2009
The film that put Stanley Kubrick, then a young photographer who became a director in the early 1950's, on the map, and put him well on the road to fame and cult status. Back then, he wasn't reclusive, he was very much in the public eye.
After Killer's Kiss (1954) and The Killer (1956), Kubrick took on a 1935 novel by Humphrey Cobb, which showed the hardship, madness and political skullduggery of World War 1. France, 1916. It focuses on the aftermath of one particular battle at an impregnable German position called the 'Ant Hill' near Verdun.
When troops know it's impossible to succeed, they refuse to advance so General Mireau (George Macready), orders his own men to fire at the troops who refuse to advance upon the enemy, buf Captain Rousseau (John Stein) refuses, and Mireau orders the execution of 3 troops as an example, and it's up to Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) to get to the bottom of what really happened.
It's a very well shot and it's black and white photography is rich and full of detail, which was Kubrick's forte as a director. It's also suspenseful and taut in the storytelling. Douglas put his faith in Kubrick, and it put him on top.
In return, Kubrick helped Douglas out on Spartacus (1960).
This review of Paths of Glory (1957) was written by Stuart K on 30 Dec 2009.
Paths of Glory has generally received very positive reviews.
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