# Paths of Glory (1957)

### reviewed by
Brian Koller

    Paths of Glory (1957)

    Grade: 82

"Paths of Glory" is an excellent anti-war film that dramatizes the enormous gap between the enlisted men who do the fighting and the officers who take the credit. "Paths of Glory" was banned in France for many years, but the story, based on a true incident, is timeless and can apply to any military or political situation.

The setting is France in 1916. World War I has dragged on for two years, and become a stalement of fortified trenches and heavy casualties. Commander Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) asks General Mireau (George Macready) to have his decimated division take the "Ant Hill", an impregnable fortress, promising Mireau a promotion if he succeeds.

Mireau orders Lieutenant Dax (Kirk Douglas) to carry out the mission, which is a complete failure with heavy casualties. To place blame elsewhere, Mireau then orders the court martial for cowardice (under penalty of execution) of three arbitrarily chosen soldiers (Ralph Meeker, Joseph Turkel and Timothy Carey).

Douglas is perfectly cast for the role. He seethes with indignation throughout. Emile Meyer gives an excellent performance as a priest. Macready, whose character is a pompous jerk, is also excellent. There are only a few battle scenes, but they are well done.

"Paths of Glory" isn't perfect. Bert Freed's alcoholic sergeant character is a bit muddled. The three unlucky soldiers show extreme cowardness and bitterness prior to their execution, especially pathetically sobbing Carey. And perhaps the depiction of military brass as cynical, ambitious and self-serving is a little overdone.

Directed by Stanley Kubrick, "Paths of Glory" was not a box office success, and was not nominated for any Academy Awards. Kubrick and Douglas teamed up again three years later for "Spartacus", an inferior but much more successful film. Kubrick would make another anti-war film, "Full Metal Jacket", thirty years later.

kollers@mpsi.net http://members.tripod.com/~Brian_Koller/movies.html

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