Paths of Glory (1957)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jonathan H

  
  I know Paths of Glory is a beloved classic, and yes, it features the masterful Kubrickian technique we've all come to love, but aside from the two standout final scenes, it's hard to get past Kirk Douglas' scene chewing. Call me crazy, but I don't buy him as a… More
  I know Paths of Glory is a beloved classic, and yes, it features the masterful Kubrickian technique we've all come to love, but aside from the two standout final scenes, it's hard to get past Kirk Douglas' scene chewing. Call me crazy, but I don't buy him as a French Colonel -- surely some attempt (from anyone) to avoid using colloquial English, with American accents and attitudes, while studiously making it look as much as possible like a document of the French Army in World War I would have helped. But, then again, I don't buy Douglas a good actor either. He's the king of vanity projects, and this film is no exception.

• Phil H

  
  Despite being known as a bit of a classic Kubrick's anti war film was not a box office hit at the time of release and was actually frowned upon by various European countries for the portrayal of the military and its negative message towards the establishment in general. It is… More
  Despite being known as a bit of a classic Kubrick's anti war film was not a box office hit at the time of release and was actually frowned upon by various European countries for the portrayal of the military and its negative message towards the establishment in general. It is clear to see the moral injustice carried out which is the films basis and the theme for the anti war message. The fact that men were shot by their own country for petty charges such as 'cowardice' or less shows really how poorly humans treated each other and at this time how life was cheap, high ranking officials grasping for honours by playing war games with real lives at stake. This of course caused the controversy at the time of release amongst military leaders, the truth stings. As a film there isn't much better, there are numerous classic war films of the age and this Kubrick offering is up there with the greats. What is impressive, like 'All Quiet on the Western Front, is the trench/nomans land sequences are highly realistic looking with fantastic camera work, a real work of art showing mud, bomb craters and debris set in a barren misty wasteland scattered with bodies and barb wire. Told from a French point of view of course (WW1 trench warfare against the Germans) but amusingly you wouldn't think it as the cast bare no attempt to sound French with everyone having an American accent, Wayne Morris as the drunken Roget especially with his slightly southern twang, these days that would be more accurate I'm sure. But no one can dispute the quality of the cast line up with a strong headed Douglas leading the way with fire in his eyes as he tries his best to remain civil against a sly heartless Macready who in turn is trying to butter up the quietly cunning Menjou for promotion. There is added entertainment with a surprisingly good portrayal from Carey as one of the doomed soldiers as he displays some dark gallows humour to the whole affair and lets not forget a young Joe Turkel who will later turn up in cult classic 'Blade Runner'. The films message is clear and virtually stated by Douglas during the court martial scene and its spot on. Kubrick's adaptation of the Cobb novel is pinpoint and speaks volumes, the fact the whole story is also based on a true event makes it even more poignant.

• Matt G

  
  A testament to the human spirit. The best WWI film ever made.

• Adriel L

  
  Excellent movie, and easily one of Kubrick's best, then again when has Kubrick made a lackluster movie? Paths of Glory is very thoughtful, insightful then horrid and insinuating to humanity. The cinematic genius of Stanley delivers its message of the absurdity of life, of the… More
  Excellent movie, and easily one of Kubrick's best, then again when has Kubrick made a lackluster movie? Paths of Glory is very thoughtful, insightful then horrid and insinuating to humanity. The cinematic genius of Stanley delivers its message of the absurdity of life, of the horrors of having no control of one's own fate, the greed of man, and the our very existence as humans.

• Graham J

  
  Kubrick's black and white war masterpiece.

• Zach B

  
  I will be honest and stand corrected when I once said that all War films are the same. Yeah, if they are based off of fact then you might as well say they are all the same (as in the outcome), but there is something with Stanley Kubrick's Paths Of Glory that just shines above the… More
  I will be honest and stand corrected when I once said that all War films are the same. Yeah, if they are based off of fact then you might as well say they are all the same (as in the outcome), but there is something with Stanley Kubrick's Paths Of Glory that just shines above the rest in terms of being a great war film. Now, this film is known for the sequence of Kirk Douglas (Col. Dax) walking through his army's war trenches, looking at all of his men with the knowledge that next to no one will survive. You can see in his face that he, himself, will have to live with this loss and that he is against this due to him seeing beyond the order and into it's own heart of stupidity. Then, the soldier next to him starts counting down to thirty. As he is doing so, Dax stands on the top wall of the trench, a whistle in his mouth, then gives a war cry that tells his men to attack their enemy. What follows next is one of the most haunting, yet beautiful war attacks I have ever seen and that I doubt any film director can beat (not even Kubrick could have topped this with Spartacus and Full Metal Jacket). Now, this being the first collaboration between Douglass and Kubrick, the chemistry of greatness is present that would go on to be in Kubrick's next film: Spartacus. But, this film is much more dark, grainier, and just a better film in a lot of respects. Stanley Kubrick will always be a genius, and that is that. With every film he made, he always expanded on his power in terms of social commentary, story telling, cinematography, directing, writing, and even making you think of the situations. With this film, you see the early works of him making you think about the situations at hand, and how would you react to the choices the characters make. Mostly this part deals with the famous Court Trial that happens during the second act. As the debate over three men's lives are discussed and are at stake, you start to learn that the judges have something else in mind that alternates their choice in the matter: Public Opinion. They do not care about these men. All they care about is making examples of how powerful they are in the eyes of their people. With this, Kubrick shows us of the corruption people have in their mind and their desire to appear powerful. But, Col. Dax tries to save their lives. Does he accomplish this? Watch the film to find out. But, there are a few things that need to be acknowledge. The first is Kubrick's position as writer, cameraman, and director. While an early film of his, Kubrick still shows what he would soon end up becoming. Mostly what shocked me about this film was how Kubrick made every image in the film beyond focused and fine point. Now a days, most people will not notice this, but for a film made in 1957, this is impressive and still to today, it looks breathtakingly beautiful. The one shot that shows this is the battle of Ant Hill. Just the audacity to show the violent side of war, the clarity of so many details, it makes an already haunting and slightly disturbing scene morbidly beautiful and breathtaking. It takes a lot for my jaw to drop during a film, and that entire war scene based on how it looked was amazing. With acting, only one name needs to be mentioned: Kirk Douglass. Kirk Douglass is one of those iconic actors in cinema that will always be compared to, and this film showcases his acting styles the best that I have seen. He gives this film his all, changes from a well reasonable, order taking Col. and turns into something of a psychopath towards the end as he sees the true 'justice' of the France he believe in. Plus, his facial expressions are just amazing in this film as he gets across the main idea of the character. As I said, later on Douglass would team up with Kubrick for the epic Spartacus where he will show his talent again. But between the films if you want to see his acting at his best, this is the film to see. Now, I am not going to touch base on the writing or score due to that, if thought about, does not really matter with this film. Well, maybe the writing. But this entire film works on look, acting, and the direction and in those senses, this film hits high marks and is just wonderful. A great war film that still works and is still strong today.

• Dan S

  
  A powerful, under-rated work of art that deserves to be seen, especially for any Stanley Kubrick fan. Although the ending gets a little too idealistic and "Hollywood", Kubrick is still able to create a near-masterpiece of a war story concerning three men accused of cowardice… More
  A powerful, under-rated work of art that deserves to be seen, especially for any Stanley Kubrick fan. Although the ending gets a little too idealistic and "Hollywood", Kubrick is still able to create a near-masterpiece of a war story concerning three men accused of cowardice in the face of the enemy - all of them being completely innocent. Kirk Douglas is the perfect fit for the role of a confident and strong leader who is breaking down seeing his men being put on trial as a result of a bad commander looking for someone to blame for his atrociously set-up war plan. While it certainly doesn't topple the most obvious of Kubrick's achievements ("The Shining", "2001: A Space Odyssey"), it's still and under seen anti-war film that isn't too long, but gets it's point across excellently.

• Steven C

  
  Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" is a dazzling anti-war film. What makes the film so effective and in no way alienating, is Kubrick's refusal to dip into convention to offer easy answers. Anti-war films can often be extremely blunt and simple minded, but not… More
  Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" is a dazzling anti-war film. What makes the film so effective and in no way alienating, is Kubrick's refusal to dip into convention to offer easy answers. Anti-war films can often be extremely blunt and simple minded, but not "Paths of Glory." Here is a film that questions every side of a moral issue, rather than simply stating what is 'wrong' about a given situation. The cinematography is beautiful as well, showing the dark beauty of war. Kirk Douglas delivers a fine central performance and is backed by numerous, excellent, supporting players. "Paths of Glory" is much more effective than Kubrick's "Full Metal Jacket," and one of the legendary directors most assured and instantly engaging films.

• xGary X

  
  The irony of the title of Stanley Kubrick's powerful anti-war film cannot be missed. Kirk Douglas plays a colonel in the French army of WWI who is ordered to make a futile attack by an arrogant and effete general for his own personal and ambition fuelled reasons. When the… More
  The irony of the title of Stanley Kubrick's powerful anti-war film cannot be missed. Kirk Douglas plays a colonel in the French army of WWI who is ordered to make a futile attack by an arrogant and effete general for his own personal and ambition fuelled reasons. When the offensive inevitably fails, he orders the execution of three men picked at random for cowardice. This film contains none of the usual flag waving and macho heroics, Kubrick preferring to make a blistering attack on the hypocrisy of the politics of war and those who wage it from behind their lines, luxuriating in chateaus and attending costume balls while the men they so casually send to their deaths suffer under impossible conditions. It is much an attack on the class system as anything, as the aristocratic officers can perpetrate appalling acts of cowardice with impunity while innocent fighting men are made "examples" of or treated with disdain when suffering from shellshock (which "does not exist"). A powerful and intelligent examination of how war is fought from one of the true masters.

• Cory T

  
  One of the best anti-war movies and it's encased in one of Kubrick's shortest runtimes. The foibles of military chicken-hawks is epitomized in this incident where several soldiers retreated from an impossible ascension up the German "Ant Hill". For promotion and… More
  One of the best anti-war movies and it's encased in one of Kubrick's shortest runtimes. The foibles of military chicken-hawks is epitomized in this incident where several soldiers retreated from an impossible ascension up the German "Ant Hill". For promotion and self-aggrandizement in the face of dwindling support from the public, they forced soldiers to their deaths at enemy hands and ultimately their own firing squad. Inflammatory and potently cynical, the crisp black-and-white photography is extraordinary and the walk through the trenches is another magnificent example of Kubrick's sustained long takes.

• Kase V

  
  Paths of Glory is another Kubrick film fit to be a classic. It is very similar in it's ideals as Full Metal Jacket, but less action and bloodshed make for a more convincing human story. You can't help but feel a heavy heart as the 3 men walk towards their doom, being three… More
  Paths of Glory is another Kubrick film fit to be a classic. It is very similar in it's ideals as Full Metal Jacket, but less action and bloodshed make for a more convincing human story. You can't help but feel a heavy heart as the 3 men walk towards their doom, being three poles. A solid war story, with more emphasis on the word Story than War. It makes you ask...what side are we all REALLY on?

• Ken S

  
  Another Kubrick Masterpiece

• Michael G

  
  A truly amazing movie. While all of Stanley Kubrick's movies are amazing and there really are no lesser or greater Kubrick movies, I'm inclined to say this is one of his greater ones. With Paths of Glory you see his visual style take shape (especially during the trench… More
  A truly amazing movie. While all of Stanley Kubrick's movies are amazing and there really are no lesser or greater Kubrick movies, I'm inclined to say this is one of his greater ones. With Paths of Glory you see his visual style take shape (especially during the trench scenes) over a story that's so great and anger-inducing. The cast is great without so much as a bad performance anywhere and there's not a false note in that movie. The scene in the bar at the end tears me apart every time. Anyone who claims to be even a half-assed fan of Kubrick really owes it to themselves to see Paths of Glory. End of story...

• Chris W

  
  Just about every single war film is an anti-war film in some capacity, and I've seen some amazing ones, but this just may be one of the absolute best. Showing the "horrors of war" has been overdone, but this one takes a new approach and is instead an examination of the… More
  Just about every single war film is an anti-war film in some capacity, and I've seen some amazing ones, but this just may be one of the absolute best. Showing the "horrors of war" has been overdone, but this one takes a new approach and is instead an examination of the devastation wrought by the corruption and incompetance of politics of military culture. What I'm about to say applies to basically every Kubrick film, but it bears repeating: this is masterful filmmaking of the highest order. Every scene and sequence from the baltant suicide mission to the engaging court martial proceedings to the judgment and aftermath of said procedure look amazing and are handled perfectly. One truly comes to understand that some of the most devastating effects of war don't alwsy happen on the actual field of battle., Kirk Douglas gives a brilliant performance, but most everyone else involved does too. The audience really feels for his character and the men he is assigned to defend, knowing full well that, despite their best hopes, their wishes probably aren't getting fulfilled. This is a harrowing film in ways that are often more stinging than the barbs that more visceral or violent war films cast towards their audience. This is an enraging film, but in a great way. It really makes you want to fight againt the unfortunate injustices and sadism plaguing an institution that wields so much power, but often mishandles it. That this film was released in 1957 but is still 100 percent relevant in 2011 is really quite something. Do yourself a favor and give this one a watch. All Kubrick films deserve it, but in an age where the lust for power is favored over doing the right thing in the military, this one really deserves it.

• AJ V

  
  Kubrick's first great movie, I think. It exposes the problems men have with the army and its politics. Douglas is perfect in this movie too. At first I wasn't very interested in this movie, but in the end I realized it was actually a very good movie. If you like… More
  Kubrick's first great movie, I think. It exposes the problems men have with the army and its politics. Douglas is perfect in this movie too. At first I wasn't very interested in this movie, but in the end I realized it was actually a very good movie. If you like Kubrick's work you should see this movie.

• Aditya G

  
  Stanley Kubrick's 1957 war film, "Paths of Glory" based on a novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb is more of an anti-war statement. Hence, calling it a 'war film' wouldn't be right, as it does not lie in the same category as other war films, plot-wise.… More
  Stanley Kubrick's 1957 war film, "Paths of Glory" based on a novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb is more of an anti-war statement. Hence, calling it a 'war film' wouldn't be right, as it does not lie in the same category as other war films, plot-wise. The film is set during World War I. The story focuses on the war between the French and the Germans. General Mireau (George Macready) sends his division headed by Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) on a suicidal mission to take over a prominent German position called "Anthill". Initially Mireau is reluctant to carry out this task, but is enticed by an offer of promotion from his superiors. With this in mind, he practically forces Dax to begin with the mission. Col. Dax, also aware of the danger associated with the mission, points the same out to Mireau but Mireau does not relent. Sure enough, the mission ends in disaster and what follows next is the crux of this powerful story. What happens when these men in the very same army, defending the same country, from the same regiment turn against each other? What happens when some superior officers get greedy and selfish and stop valuing human life, more so, the lives of their own soldiers? "Paths of Glory" goes deep in the psyche of these men, both superiors and subordinates and makes a strong statement on what war does to them. "Paths of Glory" was just a modest success commercially, I've read. It comes as a surprise, considering the screenplay by Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham and Jim Thompson is spell-binding, to say the least. Kubrick directs with his touch of genius and creates a tremendous impact. The first scene of attack on Anthill is so masterfully shot, you actually feel you are in the field of battle! Ditto for the rest of the film when things take an unexpected turn for some of the less fortunate soldiers. Every frame of this picture is gripping, right 'til the final one. Kirk Douglas delivers a fabulous performance as Colonel Dax. His helplessness and the growing frustration about the greedy and corrupt army officers and the overall futility of the system is so convincing, it creates a lasting impression. This is one earnest and unforgettable performance by the legendary actor. George Macready lends a great supporting act as the selfish, cut-throat General Mireau. So do others, including Wayne Morris, Ralph Meeker, Joe Turkel and Timothy Carey. A special mention here, of Mrs. Kubrick (Christiane Kubrick) who makes an appearance for a short scene to sing the haunting German folk song, 'The Faithful Hussar'. She appears in a scene towards the end in what could be one of the best and most haunting endings I've ever seen in film. "Paths of Glory" may not be as popular as some of Stanley Kubrick's later films, but it is definitely one of his best.

• Conner R

  
  By far the greatest WWI film ever made and one of the greatest war movies period. Stanley Kubrick's attention to detail and cinematic style is perfect for this story about the insanity of war and logic in its presence. Kirk Douglas delivers one of his best performances and… More
  By far the greatest WWI film ever made and one of the greatest war movies period. Stanley Kubrick's attention to detail and cinematic style is perfect for this story about the insanity of war and logic in its presence. Kirk Douglas delivers one of his best performances and deviates from a lot of his other roles. War has never looked so beautiful and horrific at the same time.

• jay n

  
  Fine rending of an appalling incident in WWI and the inhumanity of a large war machine to even its own men. Well acted and directed but not a pleasant experience.

• Tim S

  
  An early Kubrick masterpiece. I loved it.

• Tim S

  
  Amazing film. Again, I am catching up on my film history here, but glad I got experience this film. This is probably the greatest anti-war film ever made (at least that I have seen). Kirk Douglas is so good and George Macready is one of the most convincing movie villans of all time.… More
  Amazing film. Again, I am catching up on my film history here, but glad I got experience this film. This is probably the greatest anti-war film ever made (at least that I have seen). Kirk Douglas is so good and George Macready is one of the most convincing movie villans of all time. This is why Stanley Kubrick is a master. One of the best endings of all time. God bless Timothy Carrey, this movie would not have been the same without him.

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