Colonel Dax

Colonel Dax is the protagonist of the 1957 war film Paths of Glory. He is a French army colonel in who is forced to lead a dangerous assault on a German position, and then tries to save his men from being scapegoated and executed for cowardice.
He was played by Kirk Douglas.
==History==
He is with his troops when he's approached by General Mireau, who is himself being pressured by General Broulard to capture the Ant Hill. Mireau insists that the attack must take place within two days, and admits that it will incur heavy casualties, with over half of Dax's men likely to be killed. Hearing this, Dax protests the order, but Mireau says if he's not confident he can do it then he will relieve Dax and bring in someone else. Dax doesn't want to be taken away from his men, so he reluctantly agrees to go through with it. He then sends Lieutenant Roget and two others on a night patrol, but unbeknownst to him Roget is drunk and accidentally kills one of his men, and lies to Dax afterwards about it. 
The attack takes place the next day and is a disaster, with countless men being killed despite Dax's attempts to rally them. Finally he realizes it's a lost cause and his men retreat. General Mireau then orders a court-martial and decides to have three men tried for cowardice. Dax insists that he be allowed to defend his men, and General Broulard agrees. At the trial, Dax does his best and points out holes in the prosecutor's logic, noting that the men being tried had proven their bravery many times and that they advanced as far as they reasonably could. However, his efforts are in vain and the men are sentenced to death. 
Dax then goes to General Broulard and asks him to stop the executions, and also reveals that Mireau had ordered his own troops to be fired on during the battle. However, Broulard insists the executions will go forward because it will be good for morale. Dax then tells Lieutenant Roget that he will be tasked with giving the prisoners their blindfolds, which he reluctantly agrees to do. 
Following the executions Dax meets with Broulard, who relieves Mireau from command for his actions and congratulates Dax, assuming his actions were motivated by ambition. Dax is furious and tells off Broulard, calling him a sadistic old man and stating that he pities him for not realizing what he's done wrong.
Category:Live Action Heroes
Category:Movie Heroes
Category:War Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Loyal
Category:Determinators
Category:Neutral Good
Category:Military
Category:Master Orator
Category:Pawn of the Villain
Category:Protectors of Innocence
Category:Officials
Category:Fighters
Category:Hope Bringers
Category:Honorable
Category:Selfless
Category:Localized Protection
Category:Wise
Category:Scapegoat
Category:The Hero
Category:Friend of a Villain