Masters of Cinema

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov, September 18, 2016



Colonel Dax

Stanley Kubrick'sis a war film with strong anti-war sentiments. It is based on Humphrey Cobb's popular novel, which tells the story of five French soldiers charged with mutiny and executed during World War I. Director Kubrick bought the rights to the novel from Cobb's widow for $10,000, and shotfor under $1 million. The film was released in the United States in 1957, but it was banned in France and Spain (the French government eventually allowed the film to be screened in 1975, while in Spain the film remained banned until 1986).France 1916. Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas,) a respected division leader, is ordered to attack Anthill, a strategic German stronghold. It is a suicide mission and everyone knows it  except General Paul Mireau (George Macready,), who dreams of capturing Anthill and earning himself a promotion.Colonel Dax leads his men during the attack of Anthill but most of them are annihilated by heavy machine gun fire before they could reach the German positions. Upon witnessing the massacre, an entire company, which should provided support to Colonel Dax's men, remains in the trenches. Angered by the news that the attack isn't producing the result he had hoped for, General Mireau orders the artillery to shell the men in the trenches. But a brave officer (John Stein) refuses to obey the order and the attack of Anthill fails. and a court-martial gathered.General George Broulard (Adolphe Menjou,), a close friend of General Mireau, suggests that a dozen soldiers are tried by court-martial to set an example. Colonel Dax sarcastically offers that the entire division is punished, or at least its leader, which would be him. Realizing the absurdity of the situation, General Broulard asks that only three soldiers are selected to appear before the court-martial. A former lawyer, Colonel Dax volunteers to defend them.The trial is a disgrace. Despite Colonel Dax's attempts to convince the court that the soldiers are innocent and therefore should not be punished, they are quickly found guilty and sentenced to death.Great anti-war films typically emphasize the fact that during war there are no victors. Director Kubrick'stakes a slightly different approach, exposing the hypocrisy and arrogance of military leaders.In one of the film's most powerful scenes, Colonel Dax is seen contemplating General Mireau's order to attack Anthill. He quietly attempts to explain that the attack won't produce anything, other than guarantee that his men will be killed in vain. Almost immediately, Colonel Dax's patriotism and loyalty to France are questioned in a manner that strangely does not feel dated at all, prompting him to quote the great Samuel Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."The film is characterized by director Kubrick's favored long continuous shots and extreme close-ups, his camera following men and objects with equal devotion. Additionally, the tension throughout the film is unbearable but never marred by melodrama. Naturally, even the most passionate speeches the main characters deliver feel somewhat restrained.Douglas is fantastic as the disillusioned Colonel Dax. He fights a battle which he cannot possibly win, but his determination to confront a corrupt regime is what makessuch a fascinating film to behold. Menjou and especially Macready are also very convincing as the coldhearted French generals.