"The paths of glory lead but to the grave..."

Rating: 6/10 (30 April 2008)

Director Stanley Kubrick's first real stand-out effort as a filmmaker, an anxious, disquieting, and ultimately sobering account of wartime power and ignorance. Three French soldiers are court-martialled for cowardice in the line of duty during World War I. Emotional drama dealing with the hopelessness of injustice; its impact hasn't dimmed over the years, and there are fine performances by Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, and Adolphe Menjou. Based on Humphrey Cobb's factual novel, which Kubrick co-adapted. Kubrick also co-produced the film, along with James B. Harris and Kirk Douglas. Very fine, but very heavy-going. **1/2 from ****