Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Alexavier R — 28 Oct 2008

This is a very effective war film that might fail to make a huge impression the first time you watch it as it is to wonderfully understated and direct. It might be because our current cinema treats war films as giant spectacles that no matter what their themes or stances on war, should have grand moments, giant war scenes, and often larger then life acting (usually with a lot of yelling).

Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory is not that kind of war film and when you look back upon it it's all the more effective because of how it sets itself apart. Two things really add greatness to the film; first is Kubrick's directing and camera.

This one of the director's first major films and it's here he really establishes the kind of wide, smooth tracking shots that would become a staple of his films. Even more then some of this other efforts, the look of this film really gives it more realism.

Kubrick eschews rapid editing or frantic camera work and opts for a more fluid, wide scope look which gives every image in the film a greater sense of depth and realism. Also on cannot forget the great acting that Kirk Douglas does in this film.

I am not very familiar with the acting of Douglas but here he really reminded me of Henry Fonda (which in my book is about as good of a compliment as I can ever give an actor). He is so perfectly understated and assured in his acting that the few scenes that he lets loose in become that more effective.

Paths of Glory is not like your usual war film, which is to be expected when it comes from the mind of Stanley Kubrick. It's calm, well paced, fast (87 minutes is quite short for a war film), but above all assured in its themes and story.

This allows the film to create its own style and not rely on conventions to hold up its foundation.