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28 out of 30 people found the following comment useful:-
Kubrick--a fully-formed genius in 1957., 7 July 1999
Author:
Hermit C-2 from Marietta, GA, USA
At only 29 years of age and in only his second major studio release,
Stanley
Kubrick showed the world that he was a force to be reckoned with. By the
time he died 42 years later his films were epochal events waited for
breathlessly by his large band of devotees who considered him a director
without equal. He seldom disappointed them.
This movie is set in World War I amidst the incredibly destructive and
futile trench warfare between France and Germany. Kirk Douglas plays
Frenchman Colonel Dax, who is ordered to make an impossible assault on a
heavily-fortified enemy position. The only reason this charge is being
made
is that his commanding general, played by George Macready, believes that
capturing the position will earn him a promotion. When the assault does
not
go forward under heavy enemy bombardment, the general is infuriated and
demands that three men be arbitrarily chosen to stand trial for cowardice,
an offense punishable by death. Col. Dax defends these men at their
court-martial.
The battle and trial scenes are about as good as have ever been filmed
and
the high level of tension is sustained throughout the movie. After the
film's climax has occurred, Col. Dax goes looking for his troops and finds
them relaxing at a cafe. What he and the viewer witness there is possibly
the most affecting scene I've ever seen on screen.
Looking at this film in perspective, it's easy to see Kubrick's trademarks
even at this early stage of his career. The attention to the composition
of
his shots reflects his background as a still photographer and foreshadows
his other great films to come. I find myself most impressed today with the
way he could handle a dramatic story like this one without any innovative
techniques or unusual special effects to hide behind, then turn around and
make such totally different films like '2001...' and 'Dr. Strangelove...'
Other films like 'The Shining' and 'Barry Lyndon' combined a strong story
line with breakthrough film techniques. His versatility astonishes
me.
Adolphe Menjou also stars as the general who convinces Dax's superior
officer to risk the ill-fated charge. Ralph Meeker, Timothy Carey and Joe
Turkel give strong performances as the men on trial. Turkel turns up 23
years later in another Kubrick film, 'The Shining,' playing the
bartender.
You can take your pick: 'Paths of Glory' can rightly be described as one
of
the greatest war movies of all, or one of the great anti-war films, or as
one of Kubrick's best. Or simply one of the best, period.
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