Very good film and ahead of it's time

Rating: 10/10 (2 October 2003)

This Stanley Kubrick masterpiece still holds up well nearly forty five
years after it was released. Because it was made in 1957 there
are some dated elements, but it still a very powerful, sad, and
searing indictment against the insanity of war. It was not the first American film that was an anti-war film but it
was probably the first in a long time. Of course it was about a
terrible incident that happened in the French Army during World
War I. Americans weren't ready for a movie that might critique the
United State's army. The French were the "good guys" in WWI but
in this movie it shows a terrible general who not only tries to kill his
own men because they cannot fight like he wants them too, but
has three innocent men executed for cowardice as punishment for
not winning an unwinnable battle. It reminded me of a spoiled kid
who couldn't get his way so he lashes out on the other kids that
are weaker than him. Same mentality. Kirk Douglas gave a very good performance, as a man, soldier,
and lawyer who sees the injustice and cannot say much, but tries
his best to save these innocent men. When he tells the one
general "You can go to hell before I apologize to you or anyone
else!" it means a lot. Of course back in the 50's they did not use
that language as much so it meant a lot. The battle scenes were quite good for the 50's. I especially
liked the mise on scen in the general's mansion. Incidentally the young German singing at the end is Christiane
Kubrick, Stanley's third and final wife. I guess he found the right
woman, they were married in 57 or 58 and stayed married until his
sudden death in March 99, four months before "Eyes Wide Shut"
came out.