Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Alex S — 04 Nov 2010

This is not the most uplifting of films and may actually need to be administered in a special combo pack with some feel-good musical or a Care Bears movie to help you regain some composure and joy in life after youâ(TM)ve sat down and watched this gem.

One thing to keep in mind is whether the effectiveness of this entire production is more the doing of Kubrick who directed the piece to greatness or author Cobb, who wrote the novel the flick was based on.

I say we meet somewhere in the middle and give credit to both artists and enjoy (if thatâ(TM)s possible) the work for what it is: a searing anti-war piece made to show the hopelessness of warfare tactics in WWI when trench warfare goes wrong and three innocent lives are put on the firing squad as a result.

Of course, it starts out as a simple story about soldiers being forced to âtake the anthill,â? an impervious strip of land that will absolutely decimate anyone foolish enough to look at it, but thatâ(TM)s not stopping the military higher-ups who have their eyes on adoration and recognition.

Enter Kirk Douglas, a leader who realizes this is stupid and who then testifies on behalf of three soldiers who are victimized as sacrifices to reflect how important patriotic intent is (yes, by killing their own soldiers, they are promoting loyalty to the country⦠because yeah, that makes sense).

If you go into this expecting bullets flying every step of the way, youâ(TM)ll be disappointed. Likewise, if you go into this expecting the greatest courtroom drama of all time, youâ(TM)ll be disappointed.

But if you go into this expecting to watch the wills and spirits of men crumble in the fervent pursuit of something that doesnâ(TM)t really go anywhere, then this is the thing to watch. Just be aware you may need a shower and a hug (preferably in that order, though the two could be combined, I suppose) when all is said and done to bring you back to having some semblance of hope for humanity.