An Anti-War Movie That Still Holds Up Considerably.

Rating: 9/10 (14 March 2015)

In many ways Kubrick's "Trench-Drama", is one of the greatest movies about World War 1 ever made. Life and times of those who fought on the battlefield are depicted radically for the time, fear and morale's are ever present and the lives of soldiers from multiple points of view are deemed crucial and worthless. Fantastic tracking shots move across the barbed wire and holes of a visceral "No man's land", all the way to the courts and firing squads depicting Kubrick's use of one point perspective. Truly this film still packs a punch that really depicts how much a soldiers life meant back then, and in saying all this I want to point out that I'm not only addressing the French, everyone had a certain cause and reaction in the War which can be deemed "inhumane".
After a voice over addresses the current situation of 1916, French Generals plan to send their men on a suicide mission to claim the "Anthill". Though there is doubts, promises of prestige quickly removes them and affirms the mission. The film stars Kirk Douglas as Colonel Dax, A commanding officer who leads the mission aware of the odds against them. Though a valiant effort they must withdraw, Dax then attempts to defend a trio of soldiers against a charge of cowardice.
In the aftermath of events, a lot of emotion between soldiers lead to moments of babble and solemn dignity. The somewhat conflict on the battlefield and court rooms are eerily similar, but there are also glimmers of hope to be had for the future. Kubrick's second of many War movies remains one of his greatest black and white classics, it is also the first well known account of Kubrick's infamous amount of re-takes that lead veteran actor Adolphe Menjou, to do the same scene 17 times with fury and anguish.
Final Verdict: Unflinching in its portrayal. There is no hidden agenda in this movie, or at least one that is insultingly blatant that comes off shameless. It continues to be extremely re-watchable, as well as a well crafted movie that continues to hold up. 9/10.