#62 Paths of Glory

In Summary

One of Stanley Kubrick's earliest feature-length films, Paths of Glory is a stripped-down and economical, yet highly impactful and striking film set in World War I that looks at the hypocrisies of those in power.

Paths of Glory can be broken down into five key sections - the introduction of the pompous Brigadier Mireau, the failed scouting mission, the charge over the trenches, the fall-out from the charge's failure, then the trial and execution of three soldiers essentially selected as sacrifices to cover Brigadier Mireau's folly.

The opening section of the film initially appears to be leaning towards portraying the grandiosity and valour of war, however, as Brigadier Mireau marches through the trenches in his finely-trimmed uniform amid a sea of battered and bruised soldiers, we learn that there is a difference between the idea of war, the sense of valour that goes with it and the actual fighting of it.

The rest of the film portrays the physical and emotional sacrifice that goes into fighting a war, along with that divide between those in command and those on the ground. The commanders are shown in grand, palatial settings, while the soldiers are in the mud.

Paths of Glory centres itself around a phony trial as the commanders seek to find blame in the soldiers for the failure of a charge over the trenches rather than in their own decisions. Colonel Dax (played by Kirk Douglas) attempts in vain to defend these soldiers and is the only character in a position of power in the film who seems to understand what it takes to fight a war.

The use of black and white in the film washes out any sense of grandiosity, focusing the audience on what is being said and done rather than attempting to dazzle with visual flair. While the palatial scenes are visually striking, Kubrick manages to use them to highlight how out of touch the commanders are.

Paths of Glory delivers a pessimistic message of the lengths those in power will go to protect themselves - which feels rather relevant right now. It ends on a bittersweet note of the soldiers gathering together in a bar in their time off and singing in unison, knowing that they are set to return to a fight where their commanders are as much their enemies as the actual enemy.

A Memorable Quote

Gentlemen of the court, there are times that I'm ashamed to be a member of the human race and this is one such occasion.

Things You May Not Know

• Winston Churchill has said that Paths of Glory was an accurate depiction of trench warfare in World War I, as well as the workings of the military mind.
• Stanley Kubrick re-shot the last meal scene 68 times, which required a fresh roast duck to be prepared for each take.
• The film was banned in Spain by General Franco due to its anti-military message, it was only released in the country in 1986, 11 years after the dictator's death.

One of the Greatest of All Time?
Paths of Glory is yet another example of the different kinds of film Stanley Kubrick was capable of making. While it's not without its visual highs, Paths of Glory is less showy in its imagery than much of the work Kubrick would go on to do, which puts the focus on the events and actions in the film.

Furthermore, Kirk Douglas' Colonel Dax will go down as one of Kubrick's most relatable and sympathetic protagonists, which, importantly, centres the film between its two poles of corrupt commanders and the soldiers mired in the ground.

Paths of Glory is one of the great World War I films and, more generally, carries an important message that is applicable beyond the setting of war.