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Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory (1957)

December. 20,1957
|
8.4
|
NR
| Drama History War

A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.

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adonis98-743-186503
1957/12/20

After refusing to attack an enemy position, a general accuses the soldiers of cowardice and their commanding officer must defend them. Paths of Glory is a 1957 War film starring Kirk Douglas and it's directed by Stanley Kubrick. Now this movie is no Metal Jacket and why should it be? It was made in 1957 and not 1987 and it makes sense of being old and black and white and believe me it works on it's favor. The acting is really good especially from Douglas, the movie as a whole is well structued with very good cinematography and excellent close ups and war sequences. It's no 'Saving Private Ryan' but it's a movie that is very watchable and just interesting as a whole. (10/10) (B+)

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leethomas-11621
1957/12/21

This movie sped by - was it rushed or was I enthralled? Whatever, it captures the politics of war beautifully and it's the fighting man who is expendable. SPOILER Why is Broulard prepared to mount a case with all the ensuing publicity against Mireau? Dax seemed surprised too. Broulard didn't do it out of any sense of guilt or fairness as he makes clear in his final speech to Dax ("the village idiot"). This movie can be compared to Ray's Bitter Victory which I preferred for its non-literal treatment.

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Woodyanders
1957/12/22

Stanley Kubrick's potent anti-war classic comes down super hard on the intrinsic cruelty and unfairness of the bleakly efficient military machine in which the arrogant top brass are more concerned about enhancing their lofty statuses and saving face with the public than they care about the grim plight of the hapless common foot soldiers who are sent to certain deaths by being forced to carry out mpossible missions for the sake of said top brass's own overinflated egos and self-advancement within the ranks: One can't help but feel infuriated when the ruthlessly ambitious General Paul Mireau (a marvelously haughty portrayal by George Macready) orders his own men to be shot when they fail to follow through with taking a heavily fortified area. Indeed, Kubrick astutely captures not only the brutality of war, but also the frequent absurdity and futility of same in both the harrowing combat scenes and at the shattering climax in which three innocent men are executed just so those in charge can prevent themselves from feeling disgraced. Kirk Douglas contributes a wonderfully impassioned performance as the idealistic Colonel Dax, who makes a game, albeit fruitless attempt to defend several men under his command when they are brought up on charges of cowardice. Moreover, there are strong contributions from Ralph Meeker as the sarcastic Corporal Philippe Paris, Adolphe Menjou as the smug and calculating General George Broulard, Wayne Morris as craven drunk Lt. Roget, Richard Anderson as hard-nosed prosecutor Major Saint-Auban, Joe Turkel as the noble Private Pierre Arnaud, and Timothy Carey as sniveling undesirable Private Maurice Ferol. Kudos are also in order for Gerald Fried's rousing score and Georg Krause's beautifully fluid black and white cinematography. Essential viewing.

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elvircorhodzic
1957/12/23

PATHS OF GLORY is an anti-war film based on the novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb. This is a shocking film, which is inspired by real events, about the shameful incident on the Western Front in the First World War. We've seen the terrifying battleground in the grip of corruption and cynicism.Kubrick's style became known after this film. Extremely long shots emphasize the importance of a particular scene, a part of the story or some locations. Black and white photography goes well with the atmosphere and themes in the film. The dark tones, night scenes and human expression provoke strong feelings of anxiety.The story begins with the agony that goes into the public injustice and ends with the tragedy. One general, on the suggestion of his superior, sent his division across the no man's land in a suicide assault that is bloodily rejected. Three soldiers must pay with their lives for alleged cowardice. However, their colonel reasonably rebelled.... The story of human intrigue, courage and fear of soldiers is honest, direct and explicit. Scenery, referring to the cold, wet and bloody trenches, is amazingly convincing.Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax is a passionate idealist. However, he is only one link in the chain of orders. His character is not a rebel. This is a natural reaction to the apparent injustice. Adolphe Menjou as Major General Georges Broulard is the embodiment of a cunning and ruthless war policy. George Macready as Brigadier General Paul Mireau is a kind of a grotesque. A vindictive character, who is a slave of his own ego.The end of the film is somewhat cathartic. The soldiers revive forgotten feelings in inhumane conditions of war.The future is pessimistic, but the struggle for humanity is visible. War is hell, and it is part of one's everyday life. Rotten people survived the war. The innocent are dying. Nothing changes.Mr. Kubrick is a true master.

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