Kubrick's Take On War: His 2nd Film

Rating: 8/10 (29 June 2019)

(Flash Review)
This is a somber look at the absurdity of war. This story revolves around a general's order to stage an attack on "Ant Hill" which is psychologically a Mt. Everest scale of risk. Ant Hill is a key foothold in the war so the attack is ordered even though the French commanders know there will be hefty casualties. When widespread hesitations occur on the front lines the general is furious and three randomly chosen soldiers are court-martialed and tried for cowardess, which has a penalty of death. Will a sub-commander be able to talk sense into everyone during the trial? This film asks you to ponder what happens when common sense flies in the face of military orders no matter how daunting. In some regards, this is a parody of the absurdity of war. Much like Kubrick's Barry Lyndon, this was very picturesque, great shot framing, rich film stock as a meaningful script.