Paths Of Glory Movie Review

In 1957, Stanley Kubrick directed a movie that would change the face of war as no one had seen before on the silver screen. Inspired to bring the novel by Humphrey Cobb he read in his school days to life in live action, Kubrick embarked on a journey to reveal the seedy underbelly of war that few people dare to think about. Paths of Glory sparked much controversy across the nation, and even in other countries, temporarily hindering the careers of Kubrick and the lead actors involved. However, when this taboo lifted, it only revealed the truth and irony of the film’s message.

The movie starts with the proposition by the French General Staff to take a stronghold of the German forces on the nearby battlefield. The General in charge does not believe this to be a wise decision at first, realizing his troops that would be assigned such a duty would be far underpowered in comparisons to the enemy. However, the General above him makes the suggestion that such a victory would guarantee a promotion in rank, and suddenly the task becomes far less impossible.

Set in the vicious trench warfare of the First World War, the story takes its cues from the pure humanity of its characters, all of them showing weakness, strength, and the undeniable desire to survive. This leads numerous film critics to credit the movie with encouraging a more realistic approach to telling the story of battle. They also applaud the artistic and technical merits the story delivers through the precise delivery of its actors, and the complex emotional quality each character portrays, even without lengthy back-stories.

Despite the colonel’s best efforts to rally his troops and fulfill the order given by the general, everyone in the company feels a looming sense of failure. Made concrete by the quick slaughtering of just about every man who leaves the trench, many stay behind, positive there is no way to win. The observing general then accuses the regiment of cowardice, and three men are chosen to take the blame for the French failure. The judgment that ensues is the main motivation for the story, and just like the attempted attack, takes the characters down a dark journey in which no one can see a light at the end.

The drama of this warning tale is effectively told through the medium of black and white film, giving the audience just as much emotional depth and drama as a film in full color. Though the art of using black and white is almost obsolete, some artistic directors and photographers still utilize its stark effect to convey the film noir style from the days before color and for its ability to create extreme contrasts. For example, in Paths of Glory, Kubrick utilizes the pitch black and dark gray in the trenches to contrast with the bright white within the overly elaborate and comfortable military headquarters.

What may stand out to today’s audiences that may not have captured so much attention at the time is the physical motion and gesticulation the characters perform throughout the film. To create diversity in the way scenes were shot without a large budget, a single camera would often track the pacing of a character during thought or speech about the set. This pacing punctuates the mental process the actor is portraying, and keeps the audience moving with them, although the camera is set from a single point.

The movie does its best to portray the harsh reality of war, and the ironic cost of loyalty. It was the first of its kind to portray a disapproving face of war and the way it is run, a trend that didn’t become popular in Hollywood until after the Vietnam war. This was the reason it was banned in many European countries for decades while war was still perceived as something that should be glorified and patriotic.

Although Paths of Glory did not make a large profit upon its release, it remains a potent classic in film history for all time. Teachers of many liberal art subjects show the film to their students to discuss the moral dilemmas and valiant versus selfish motives. While many war movies may have their glory day come and go, the underrated tale of Paths of Glory sticks around as a time honored classic any film appreciator should see.

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