Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Brandon V — 09 Jan 2009

An extremely effective war drama. Its relevance is timeless, and the performances and script draw you into the drama masterfully. You hate the over zealous and unjust general and prosecutors, and you empathize with the men sent to die.

Okay, so my praise is pretty obvious and cliche, but I can't think of that much to say. I'm more prone to list a film's qualities in specifics if I can later counter them with faults, and I can't with this one - it's an early masterpiece by a director whose resume was full of them by the time he died. I can't think of a single notable problem. I was enraptured for every single well paced and well written minute of it. Another favorite of mine directed by Kubrick. I think I've found my all-time favorite director.