Smashing!

Rating: 10/10 (14 March 2002)

This movie does not get the recognition it deserves; it is not only one of Kubrick's best works but one of the best films of any director I have ever seen. It made little impact at the Oscars that year, and never shows up on things like the AFI 100 Years 100 Movies list, but it's great that IMDB users have placed it so high in the Top 250. That inspired me to see it, and hopefully will many others. For those who don't know, it's about an impossible attack during World War I that fails, and how the piggish army generals make three innocent subordinates the scapegoats and have them sentenced to death. The movie is absolutely heart-wrenching without having to resort to the slightest bit of manipulation; I found myself wanting to lash out at the screen at times because I was so furious at the injustice of the matter. Adolphe Menjou really sinks his teeth into the role of the main heavy, and Kirk Douglas is just exceptional as the angry officer fighting futilely for justice. The interactions between the two of them are among the best dramatic scenes you will find anywhere, and the trial is horrifying, and yet so gripping. At times such as the final scene, the movie is too poignant at times for me to even do justice with words. All I can say is SEE IT! It's a 10/10!!!!