Paths of Glory (1957)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Stars: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou
Runtime: 88 minutes

Synopsis: After refusing to attack an enemy position, a general accuses the soldiers of cowardice and their commanding officer must defend them.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 10/10
Editing: 10/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 10/10

Verdict: I wouldn't go as far as calling "Paths of Glory" one of Stanley Kubrick's forgotten gems, but it's certainly one of his least talked about films. Loosely based on true events that occurred during World War 1, it sparked controversy at the time of its release in many European countries due to its powerful stance against war, a recurrent theme in many of Kubrick's projects.

The film follows a general who, after witnessing his soldiers' refusal to carry a losing attack ordered by him that would've resulted in the troops' massacre, decides to arrest some of them on the basis of cowardice to set an example to the rest of the battalion and attempt to hide the failure of his operation.

Despite being slightly distracted by the use of the English language in a French environment, I'd easily consider "Paths of Glory" to be one of the best anti-war movies ever made. I was hypnotized by the events unfolding and the way Kubrick tackled themes of patriotism, nationalism, corruption, and the lack of humanity found in times of conflict that only affect the vulnerable.

Like most of Kubrick's films, the Kirk Douglas led war film is an incredibly crafted and powerful watch that will most definitely leave an impact on the audience. With a straightforward narrative and a runtime of only 88 minutes, I'd also consider it to be one of the director's most accessible films and a good introduction to his prolific filmography. It's a must in my books.

FINAL GRADE: 10/10