Kubrick's first war film - a great film

Rating: 9/10 (10 July 2007)

It's WWI in France and Colonel Kirk Douglas is ordered to take an enemy position named Ant Hill. But his soldiers are not at full strength and he will not be given any support except for some preliminary bombing. When the attack fails, his superior General is furious so he orders 3 men to be chosen for court martial with the charge of cowardice. Douglas has no choice but to obey, but since he is also a lawyer, he insists on defending the men.
Paths of Glory is a great film. Director Stanley Kubrick made this film in 1957 and it shows glimpses of what he would do later on with Dr. Strangelove and all of his other films. His point of view, showing the injustice of war, is brought out very strongly and clearly in the story of these men and their commanding officers. Later on, Kubrick's films seemed to become colder and colder with the humans being treated like robots. But not in this film. Every character, even those with small parts, is clearly defined and sympathetic. Kubrick's philosophy, although not fully developed, is evident in this film. He subsequently filmed Spartacus, Dr. Strangelove and Full Metal Jacket, all films that dealt with war.
A great film which deserves to be seen.