In association with

Paths Of Glory [1957]
from MGM Entertainment
starring Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris
directed by Stanley Kubrick

Features:

• Black & White
• Dubbed
• Full Screen
• PAL

Editorial Review:

The pity of war has been a much-favoured film topic; the treachery of war much less so, though never more persuasively than in Paths of Glory, Stanley Kubrick's breakthrough feature from 1957. Kirk Douglas gives one of his finest screen performances as Colonel Dax, the idealistic First World War soldier appalled by the arbitrary court-marshal meted out to three of his men after an impossible attempt to storm German lines goes disastrously wrong. George Macready is an utterly believable Gerneral Mireau, obsessed with his own honour and standing, whom Adolphe Majou complements tellingly as the urbane and cynical General Bruler. Those who know Kubrick from his later sprawling epics will be surprised at the tautness and concision shown here, even though the screenplay--which he co-wrote--has a certain theatrical stiffness.

On the DVD: Paths of Glory on disc reproduces well in full-screen format, and Gerald Fried's bitingly ironic score comes through powerfully. There are five dubbed and six subtitled languages. The original trailer is a masterpiece of gritty reportage, well worth reviving. Along with Dr Strangelove and 2001, this is Kubrick's most focussed and durable film. --Richard Whitehouse

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0

• A Powerful Anti-War Drama
  I've seen nearly all of Stanley Kubrick's films (except for Killer's Kiss, Fear and Desire and Lolita) and this 1957 effort on behalf of Kirk Douglas's Bryna Productions is one of his most moving and powerful.
  The story takes place during the First World War as the French army is about to make a big push to capture a heavily fortified German base called the 'Ant Hill'. The order has been given by the French General Staff that the Ant Hill must be taken at any cost. No retreat. No surrender. more info

• A masterpiece, never bettered
  This is in my view the finest film about men at war ever made. The gritty black and white photography evokes the sombre visuals of every First World war newsreel you have ever seen. Every performance is utterly believable, in spite of the proliferation of west coast and New York American accents.
  I defy anyone not to be moved by this tale of sacrifice, waste and injustice. Douglas is fantastic in the role of Colonel Dax, but Stanley Kubrick has wrung the very best performance from each and every actor... more info

• wonderful film about class conflict and abuse of power
  Unarguably one of the finest anti-war diatribes ever to hit the screens. Yet, more than 50 years have passed after its making, it is still powerful and immortal film in its own league. Stanley Kubrick, even at the age of 28, showed that he would be the master of visual creation and ingenious camerawork. Apart from story, what I specially liked here is the trenches which are dark, foreboding and dreadfully real. Also, long close-ups, reverse tracking shots through the trences and lateral shots during attack... more info

• great
  Such a great film with impeccable camera movement and general direction, the whole look of the film is amazing and has a tremendous story, this is why Kubrick will always be one of the greatest film-makers in the world.

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