Powerful and to the point.

Rating: 9/10 (2 November 2003)

Spoiler!!!!!!
All I ever heard about this film was how it was a "great anti-war film" and whatnot. Truly, war is not glamorized in any way here, but I find this film to be more of an indictment against excessive ambition and general injustice. War merely serves as a back drop to the true conflict at the core of this picture.
The story centers around the attempted assault by French troops on a heavily fortified position held by the Germans during WWI. The French general in charge is looking to advance himself by taking the "ant hill" as it's called, even though it looks like at best he'll lose over 50% of his men in the assault. Once the assault fails, the French commanders try three soldiers for cowardice to make examples of them, and show the others that failure is unacceptable. The three soldiers are tried with no evidence what so ever and convicted in a ridiculous trial, despite the efforts of their colonel (played to perfection by Kirk Douglas).
Kubrick actually gets to the point rather quickly in this early effort of his. Those of you who dislike the plodding pace of his other works like BARRY LYNDON and EYES WIDE SHUT will find this film a welcome relief. Kubrick's technical mastery can be seen even in this old b&w vehicle. He knows how to shoot a battle scene, it's safe to say.
SPOILER!!!!
The ending took me a little by surprise. I was hoping and expecting the three soldiers to somehow get off the hook and not be executed. I guess a happy ending would have killed the point, though. The execution scene, and those leading up to it are VERY powerful!
Overall, this is one hell of a film. SEE IT!!!! You don't have to love Stanley K. to appreciate this one.
By the way, just what in the hell was WWI all about, anyway? What a damned waste!
9 of 10 stars
So sayeth the Hound.