With the camera tracking the World War I trenches of the French army with the director’s favoured long continuous shots, the early scenes of Paths of Glory are unquestionably an influence on Sam Mendes and his Oscar-winning 1917.
This early Stanley Kubrick – his first major studio release – is a powerfully emotive exploration of conflict, power and abuse. With the French commanding officers ensconced in a luxurious roccoco chateau, the rank-and-file are sent over the top on a suicidal mission where a 60-70% death rate is seen as acceptable. Only many of the men refuse. A court martial ensues with the commanding officer (Kirk Douglas) appointed to defend them.
Avoiding melodrama, highlighting internal conflict between high-ranking officers and foot soldiers, exposing personal ambition as a motivational force, the adaptation of Humphrey Cobb’s novel of the same name is an anti-war tour de force.
Rating: 71%
Director: Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining)
Writer: Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining), Calder Willingham (The Graduate, Rambling Rose), Jim Thompson (The Killing, The Getaway) – based on the novel by Humphrey Cobb
Main cast: Kirk Douglas (Spartacus, Lust For Life), Adolphe Menjou (The Front Page, A Star is Born), Ralph Meeker (Kiss Me Deadly, The Dirty Dozen)
An Opinion or Two 