Stanley Kubrick makes a Mountain out of an Anthill

Rating: 10/10 (3 January 2010)

In 1916 France, World War II Generals George Macready (as Mireau) and Adolphe Menjou (as Broulard) decide to order troops attack a German stronghold known as "The Ant Hill" - even though they are aware the military will most certainly suffer massive causalities, and will most probably fail. When the orders are given, many of the soldiers are aware the mission is doomed, and retreat to their trenches; although some, like Colonel Kirk Douglas (as Dax) attempt to be valiant. After the embarrassing defeat, the Generals decide to court-martial, and execute by firing squad, a random selection of their own soldiers.
"Paths of Glory" are paved with blood.
This film showed anyone who wasn't convinced by "The Killing" that Stanley Kubrick was a filmmaker to be reckoned with; it is a bold, innovative, and highly engaging war drama. The French government was, understandably, not amused; but, many other countries recognized France happened to be the setting, and blacklisted the film for its unflattering depiction of military leadership in general.
"Patriotism... is the last refuge of the scoundrel."
Quoting Samuel Johnson, Mr. Douglas is towering; suavely Machiavellian, Mr. Menjou plays evil with ease; and, Mr. Macready should have received a "Best Supporting Actor" award for carrying out his orders. Neither Douglas, Menjou, nor Macready were nominated, surprisingly. The rest of the regimen is no less impressive; with Ralph Meeker (as Paris), Joe Turkel (as Arnaud), and Timothy Carey (as Ferol) obviously moving up in the ranks. And, note how real-life war hero Wayne Morris (as Roget) plays against type. Kubrick makes more subversive and subtle points with priestly Emile Meyer and the German singer.
********** Paths of Glory (10/25/57) Stanley Kubrick ~ Kirk Douglas, George Macready, Adolphe Menjou, Ralph Meeker