Review of Paths of Glory (1957) by Chris H — 02 Jun 2014

I hadn't seen Paths of Glory in awhile, I remembered really liking it, but didn't think it really stood out among Kubrick's list of masterpieces. So I decided to take it off the shelf for a second viewing, and was just fascinated by the utterly absurdist nature of the picture.

Kubrick depicts with audacious dialogue and camerawork, one of the most intriguing and impressive absurdist stories I have ever read or seen. The film begins by showing Gen. Mireau discussing with his superior officer the sheer futility of trying to take Ant Hill, and this sets the stage for the absurdity of the whole film; everyone in the French Army knows that this effort will end in innumerable deaths, and will probably accomplish nothing, yet Mireau still commands the troops to take Ant Hill.

And after that, Kubrick begins to show us the brutal dehumanizing face of war, and probably better than he ever has before. He shows us this by way of horrific battle scenes, and by the ridiculously absurd court case that shows remnants of Camus' The Stranger.

The courtroom drama in the second act is probably the most powerful part of this picture, Kubrick emphasizes the total lack of concern that the army has for personal experience, emotions, and the instinct to survive, basically human nature in general.

But I haven't even mentioned the outstanding performance that Kirk Douglas gives as the thoroughly human Colonel Dax, it is probably my favorite performance of his actually. This is one of Kubrick's 2 or 3 greatest films, and one that laid the foundation for his later masterwork, Full Metal Jacket.

Every Kubrick fan and film buff should see this picture.