Paths of Glory Review- By Michael J. Carlisle

Title: Paths of Glory
Year: 1957
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Country: US
Language: English

The Good, The Bad and The Critic has written about American Director Stanley Kubrick before, having reviewed quite a few of his films. The general consensus among critics and cinephiles is that he is a genius with his own distinct visual style. Though I am not a fan of his post-60's work, aside from Eyes Wide Shut, I do think that Kubrick is a remarkable artist; no doubt a master of his craft. Paths of Glory came about when The Killing caught the attention of star Kirk Douglas, who was so impressed by it that he offered to take the upcoming role in the director's next creative venture and, because MGM was hesitant to take on Paths, he pressured United Artists to undertake financing of the film.

In Paths of Glory soldiers in World War I refuse to continue when ordered to engage in an impossible attack. Against all logic, their superior officers decide to make an example of them as a result of their inaction.

With Paths, Kubrick demonstrates a remarkable ability to make a realistic world seem strange. The camera picks up the irrationality of a seemingly rational war, and makes us feel for the common soldier, rather than the military general. This picture is the anti-Life and Death of Colonel Blimp. Powell and Pressburger's masterpiece is about a warm-hearted military general who has a strong sense of military honour, whereas Kubrick seems to feel that "military honor" is an oxymoron that relies heavily on unquestioning obedience to dicators. 

World War I was a subject that generated great interest in the mind of Stanley Kubrick. Mainly because it was a tangled web of militaristic alliances, caused by foolish politicians and meandering generals, which caused more than eight million often meaningless military deaths. Paths of Glory is different from most World War I films at the time because it didn't seek patriotism; it was wholly anti-authoritative and anti-war. This is also a spiritual film as it questions the existence of God, although allows viewers to make up their own mind and never becomes preachy.

In conclusion, Paths of Glory is one of the few 50's films I can recall that has an ambiguous ending where the heroes don't necessarily win. Though it was banned in France and Switzerland upon release, the film received favourable reviews and was a cultural success. Kubrick and his cinematographer, George Krause, were clearly destined for success by this point. Praise it! 5/5