Probably Douglas' best film!

Rating: 10/10 (25 January 2000)

I saw this film in a college course on film and I realize why. It is one of the best-directed films ever made. The black and white works to perfection. This is my favorite Kirk Douglas film about the French military during WWI. A group of French soldiers are sent on an impossible mission. When they obviously fail, the General afraid of losing face for a stupid decision decides to court martial some of the soldiers as a punishment. Three soldiers are singled out. One obviously fought very bravely and another was hit on the head and knocked unconscious during the battle. Their stories are futile against the kangaroo French military court. Douglas tries valiantly to act as their legal council and present their defense in vain. From what I understand this film is still banned in France! I guess the humiliating loss during WWII did nothing to sway the French military from its self-conceived notion of being a great military power!