Paths of Glory is a 1957 movie directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Paths of Glory tells the story of Colonel Dax, a unit commander in World War I, who leads his men on a dangerous mission. After an unsuccessful outcome, he is then forced to defend three of his soldiers from a vindictive court martial.
Like a lot of movie fans, I hesitate to watch anything predating 1960. There is a rhythm and tone to classic movies that always feels unnatural – or at least aged. From a purely aesthetic view, dreamy, soft focus black and white removes the kind of Neo-reality I seek in movies.
Paths of Glory is an exception to my overly rigid qualifications. Stanley Kubrick delivers a simply outstanding movie that doesn’t feel dramatically dated.
Similar to The Killing, Paths of Glory boasts a sharp, clean black and white environment. This look accentuates the brutality and systematic destruction of trench warfare. Kubrick’s closeup shots of battered and traumatized soldiers further this theme. They appear dazed and almost corpse-like as death swirls around them.
The movie’s sounds contribute to this mayhem. Continuous bomb blasts create a jarring effect – jolting soldiers and rattling debris from the trench walls. Boldly advancing through this chaos is Kirk Douglass’ Colonel Dax, whose natural poise and calm establish him as a genuine leader – rather than a stock figure of empty heroism.
Douglass’ walk through the trenches is the stuff of movie legends. Kubrick employs a single, winding tracking shot – before Douglass disappears into a cloud of smoke. There is no compromise in Dax’s character – only the resolve of a man trying to accomplish an impossible mission that will likely kill the men he’s responsible for leading.
Continue reading “Paths of Glory”