Paths of Glory

One of the most powerful and thought-provoking anti-war films ever made, Kubrick’s 1957 movie stars Kirk Douglas as a commanding officer of French soldiers trying everything in his power to save three of his soldiers from the fate a looming court-martial might bring.

Set in France during the First World War, the majority of the brutal action takes place in one of the trenches where the ambitious General Mireau (George Macready) has been given order by his superior General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) to send his division on what can only be described as a suicide mission. Initially in doubt because the mission to fight a well-defended German position would inevitably fail, Mireau is quickly persuaded to go ahead after Broulard hints at the possibility of a promotion…
From the outset the situation looks dire and Mireau’s semi-order “Are you ready to kill more Germans?” is met with utter lack of enthusiasm, something that Mireau quickly dismisses as ‘cowardice’. The planning of the attack is left to Colonel Dax (K. Douglas) though even he shows reservations and points out that an attack would be akin to a suicide mission and is bound to fail but has no other option that to proceed. As expected, the first wave of soldiers, lead by Dax, come severely under enemy fire and none of the men reach the German trenches. Meanwhile, Company B refuses to even leave their own trenches after a massive setback due to heavy casualties. With his narrow-minded singular vision, the angry Mireau orders the artillery to shoot at their own men of Company B to force them onto the dangerous battlefield, however, the artillery commander refuses to carry out the order unless is confirmed in writing. When Dax tries to intervene and encourage Company B to join the battle he is knocked down by the body of a French soldier killed in action.

General Mireau is incensed that the entire operation was a failure and cannot and will not see that it couldn’t have been anything else. Not only is his military pride hurt but because of the failed operation his promotion will no doubt be at stake. Thus he decides to make an example of his cowardly regiment by announcing he will have a hundred soldiers court-martialled and punished though he is persuaded to pick only three soldiers – one from each company. The ensuing trial is an absolute mockery beginning to end, and despite the best attempts of Dax – a former defense lawyer in civilian life – he cannot persuade General Broulard to change his mind about the trial. Au contraire, his response to Dax’s reasoning is that “One way of maintaining discipline is to shoot a man every now and then.” The three ‘accused’ men cannot be saved and are executed the next day. When Broulard and a smugly smiling Mireau sit together for breakfast, Dax enters and is invited to join. Still reeling from the military injustice he had one card up his sleeve… which comes to light when Broulard announces to the unassuming Mireau that he may well stand trial himself for having ordered to shoot as his own Company B! Dax leaves the room but not after having turned down Broulard’s questionable offer of promotion with the remark that he is a “sadistic old man”. Nonetheless, the war continues and soon Dax and his soldiers are off again to the front.

Utterly gripping and harrowing, Paths of Glory makes for compulsory viewing!