PATHS OF GLORY

Paths of Glory is one of Kubrick’s lesser known works, although it is perhaps one of his greatest cinematic achievements. An undeniable classic about the barbarity and ridiculousness of war, it is very much the equal of his similarly themed Full Metal Jacket, and knocks the spots off most recent offerings featuring anti-war motifs (usually stuffed down the audiences throats with their overt imagery and symbolism) such as Platoon, Saving Private Ryan and The Thin Red Line. Unclouded by the essential pessimism or colder fascination with the logistics of film-making that featured in later works, Paths of Glory has a simplicity about it that renders its argument as powerful today as it was in 1957. Combined with a deliciously dark and biting script (throughout Kubrick’s films runs the craft of a comedy genius) and a technical nous that produces a visually engaging film, it is also perhaps the most easily accessible and enjoyable of all his movies.

A simple premise, but a powerful one in the hands of a master craftsman. The clever title, originally taken from a Thomas Gray poem that reads “the paths of glory lead but to the grave,” is indicative of the message Kubrick wishes to highlight. Representative of the ambition and success of the generals in command, it is the avenues to self-advancement they seek, with the utmost indifference to the fate of the men in the trenches, that provides the films underlying theme regarding military incompetence. The issue is handled in a refrained and subtle way, allowing the script to play out logically without ever feeling the need to dabble in trite sentimentality or unnecessary exploitation. From the brilliant choice to shoot the film in black and white (thus giving a gritty, darker feel to the entire story, and refraining from sugar-coating the hellish experience of trench warfare), to the effective use of zoom-ins, to the short poignant dialogues and the generally minimalist approach to the anti-war message of the screenplay - it all mixes together incredibly well. Kubrick could have spent hours of celluloid on the finer illogical points of military court martial trials, as well as elaborating on the horrors behind the deluded decision making preceding battle. Instead he wrapped the total package in a fast-paced 87 minutes that doesn’t miss a beat. A film doesn’t need to be three hours long in order to be profound.

There are many memorable scenes. The kangaroo court is expertly played out by all and features some ripe dialogue that should raise a knowing smile. The priest’s trite comments as he administers the last rites to those expecting execution are also quintessentially hilarious, albeit in a shocking kind of way. It isn’t too fanciful to say that Dr Strangelove, which mined the same themes but turned them into farce, isn’t a million of miles away from Paths of Glory. Mireau and General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) actually seem only one step away from the wheelchair bound, nazi saluting Dr Strangelove (or even Blackadder’s General Melchiot). Indeed every scene that MacReady and Menjou fill is a pure delight. They fill their scenes with a misplaced frivolity at odds with the men on the front. Calculating and malicious, devious yet charming, they take great delight in espousing the wondrous, darkly refined dialogue placed before them. Lines like “there are few things more fundamentally stimulating than watching another man die,” are simply dynamite. Add to this a uniformly excellent Kurt Douglas as the bewildered Dax, an understated presence as a soldier never left to indulge in self-pity or bleed his heart over the injustice being done to his men, and a quality supporting cast (featuring Ralph Meeker, Joe Turkel and Timothy Carey as the condemned men) and you have the veritable icing on the cake.

Overall – In a career that spanned across some fifty years, Stanley Kubrick made many masterpieces. Maybe we should start considering whether Paths of Glory is his masterpiece amongst masterpieces. A classic which is enjoyable, shocking, sad and funny, beautifully rendered and, most importantly of all, will make you a better person for having watched it.

Screenplay: Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham and Jim Thompson

Genre: War/Drama