Paths of Corruption

Rating: 9/10 (14 February 2020)

One of Kubrick's early features, this seems to have established him as a great young director. It is more than just an anti-war war story; unlike any other war flick I can think of it shows that soldiers faced peril not only from the enemy but from their officers as well, and portrays the whole business of war as corrupt. In this, an egomaniac general, dreaming of becoming a national hero, sends his troops on a hopeless attack. When they are pinned down and forced to turn back, he blames them and several soldiers are chosen to be executed for cowardice. Kirk Douglas is excellent as the one of the few good guys in the bunch, who fights to save the lives of his men. There is a touching coda at the end with a bunch of soldiers listening wistfully to the singing of a terrified German girl (the only woman in the film) who has been forced to perform for them. Great performances from Menjou and Macready, and some awesome tracking shots across battlefields.