Tautly written, expertly realised, the early flowering of a very significant talent

Rating: 9/10 (9 December 2009)

As the men are tied to the posts in front of the sandbagging and face the execution squad, we are reminded of power. Beyond the watching Generals and members on the Press – where we might think power rests, lays the 300 metre long facade of the institution that has determined the fate of these men; the perfect, grand (Schleissheim) Palace stretches across the middle distance reminding us of who and where power lays, and what it means.
David Simon – creator of The Wire:
" . . . the most important political film of the 20th century, which is "Paths of Glory." If anyone wants to look at "Paths of Glory" and think it doesn't speak to the essential triumph of institutions over individuals and doesn't speak to the fundamental inhumanity of the 20th century and beyond, then they weren't watching the same film as the rest of us. That film is essential, and as meaningful today as the day it was made."
Kubrick, Willingham and Jim Thompson (the three screenwriters) also discuss the dehumanising influence institutions have on those caught within the hierarchical web. Example: Very early General Mireau forsakes his 8,000 for promotion, not long after Cpl. Paris and Sgn. Boulanger come to an arrangement in relation to the botched reconnaissance, company commanders are cruelly ordered to select individuals for the firing squad, the firing squad is detailed and Sgn, Boulanger put in charge (having selected Cpl. Paris to face it): The institution nags at us, eats at us, never leaves us alone and slowly, little by little, we lose our individuality and finally, as demonstrated by the Generals, our humanity.
Only Colonel Dax resists the institution, firstly when he's invited to take leave on objecting to the mission and, later, when he refuses promotion – later, Kirk Douglas encouraged a public perception of himself in that same role in real life, as did Kubrick.
Elsewhere, an observation is clearly made about the Catholic Church's deference to - and even implicit support of - military power, this some 12 years after WW2 concluded. It's noteworthy that this film begins with "La Marseillaise" when Casablanca finished with a patriotic singing of the same. The title speaks for itself.
Like a prize-fighter at the peak of his powers Paths of Glory is lean and muscled, perfectly balanced and absolutely nothing is wasted in the 84 minutes.