Paths of Glory Review

 

        This is the third Stanley Kubrick film that I have seen. When seeing some conversations about him, the only movies that are ever uttered when evoking this director is usually 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and Full Metal Jacket. I feel that Paths of Glory should be talked about, in the context that it’s probably groundbreaking for an anti-war movie being mostly about war. I’ve seen parts of it when watching Turner Classic Movies. This is probably my favorite Kubrick movie, although it might change when I see Full Metal Jacket later this month. One last thing is that the story in the movie is based on a novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb, which is based on an actual event called the Souain corporals affair. 

1. Colonel Dax

        This is probably my favorite military character in any movie. Kirk Douglas plays Colonel Dax for the French army. Just to put this out there, the entire cast are Americans who are portraying French characters. I’ll let it slide since it would be bad to have some actors attempting to do a phony French accent. Anyways, Colonel Dax is assigned by his superior General Mureau to plan an attack to take over a coveted German territory called Anthill.

        Dax is aware that his squadron is almost depleted and the attack is almost impossible. The General still wants his squadron to advance. The pivotal scene is him leading his men to try and takeover the yards of land they need. What I like is that the actual charge is so well done. It could be why 1917 copied the whole camera aesthetic of the movie. When you watch it, the whole combat looks like archival footage, since it's in black and white. The explosions and the way the camera doesn’t do a lot of shakiness but keeps at the colonel and his men as they advance is something else. 

        Eventually, the attack goes south. Making things questionably worse is when the General orders a bombardment on his own squadron. At this point, Dax realizes that the whole objective is just impossible. Even having his captain echo what he’s thinking. Throughout the film, to save face from the tactical farce, the General orders a court martial on just three members to be executed for their crimes. 

        I should probably elaborate why I love the character. Colonel Dax absolutely stands with his men. He has that one characteristic that any military officer should have. That is to have a complete understanding of his men. There’s one scene just before the attack when he walks and looks at his men. When the German bombardment is going on, he doesn’t flinch. He continues walking and prepares them for the attack. 

        Aside from being a war movie, the film is also a legal drama. Since the three men: two Privates, Arnaud and Ferol, and Corporal Paris were selected to be tried. The actual reasons as to why the three where picked would make you mad when you sit down and watch the film. Dax even goes above and beyond to tell them how to conduct themselves when they’re in court. The best moments is when he at least tries to vouch for them by attempting to bring evidence. Although, it’s not allowed. The whole entire court procedure is backwards, since the high ranking officers know the verdict. 

2. The Irony of War

        For as much as I can talk about Colonel Dax among other things. The big takeaway for the film is the two colliding ideas of valor and cowardice. It’s one thing where a war film would rarely even touch on this idea of cowardice. For instance, it’s taboo for any film concerning the military to bring it up. The moments when we see the Generals and Dax are the main highlights that elaborate on the concept. For as much as the two Generals: Broulard and Mireau talk about spending a long time in the army, the coward thing they have done is to have Mireau offer Broulard a promotion to take over the German territory. And the former General is okay with it. The whole scene just goes to show just how pointless it all is. 

        When looking at it between General Broulard and Dax, Broulard never goes above and beyond to even fight along. He is mostly seen in the very opulent mansion where everything looks nice. Right down to abusing his power by threatening any soldier or officer with a court martial. One thing that is striking is that he observes the battalion, and sees a man that is shell-shocked. He threatens him to knock it off or be punished.

        I think the damning thing about the two dueling concepts is the battlefield and the ballroom. All the soldiers including Dax, had to fight and advance for territory. Just once did the General visit but to mostly ask the same redundant question to the battalion of wanting to kill Germans. The ballroom is such a thing to see since it involves high positioned officers dancing while Dax shows up to try the last thing to get his men out of being executed. It shows that Dax has morals, whereas the Generals see their title as bragging rights.

        One last thing is the actual name of the movie. I feel like it’s ironic and it’s probably the whole point. Dax’s squadron had a path to succeed, but it was deemed impossible. There is no “Glory” when you have a general firing artillery at you to get your butt to takeover an impossible hill. It’s counterproductive and I feel that I actually felt something when I’m watching three soldiers basically take the blame on what is a failing of a General who won’t own up to his mistake. 

3. Overall

        It was surprising for me that the film was banned from parts of Europe when it came out. Even some people from France weren’t even aware that the whole event happened. I feel that when a film tackles with a very touchy subject, especially about the military, it should be seen. Since I feel that the whole point of war films isn’t to feel patriotic or victorious. It be propaganda if it was designed that way. But, to see the drama and how it affects any man or woman to feel that sometimes, it’s just not worth it. 

        Paths of Glory gets a five out of five.