Paths of Glory

Rating: 8/10 (24 April 2007)

This is not exactly an all war film, but from director Stanley Kubrick it is still a great film, even Winston Churchill was impressed with it. Based on a true event in World War I, this film sees Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) taking his troops getting ready to go over the top of the trenches, with the command by the arrogant aristocrat General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou). It is during this battle that three of the troops disobey their orders to advance, they do not go too far, and this results in their court case. They are found guilty, and face execution by firing squad. The villain of the picture is the arrogant general for making a stupid order that would ultimately be sending his army to death, and not listening to the reasons for the troops not advancing. Also starring Ralph Meeker as Corporal Paris, George Macready as General Mireau, Wayne Morris as Lieutenant Roget, Richard Anderson as Major Saint-Auban, Joe Turkel as Private Pierre Arnaud, Timothy Carey as Private Ferol, Peter Capell as Colonel Judge, Susanne Christian as the German girl and Bert Freed as Sergeant Boulanger. Personally, the film is a triumph only for the battle scene, and the execution, but still a great Kubrick classic. It was nominated the for Best Film from any Source. Kirk Douglas was number 17 on 100 Years, 100 Stars, and the film was number 23 on The 100 Greatest War Films. Very good!