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Paths of Glory (1957)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
25 October 1957 (West Germany)
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Tagline:
Never has the screen thrust so deeply into the guts of war! more
Plot:
When soldiers in WW1 refuse to continue with an impossible attack, their superiors decide to make an example of them. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for BAFTA Film Award.
Another 3 wins
&
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
Arnold Schwarzenegger And Screen Legend Kirk Douglas In Today's Daily TwitPic
(From MTV Movies Blog. 9 November 2009, 6:00 AM, PST)
(From MTV Movies Blog. 9 November 2009, 6:00 AM, PST)
User Comments:
Kubrick--a fully-formed genius in 1957.
more (252 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Kirk Douglas | ... | Col. Dax |
 | Ralph Meeker | ... | Cpl. Philippe Paris |
 | Adolphe Menjou | ... | Gen. George Broulard |
| George Macready | ... | Gen. Paul Mireau |
| Wayne Morris | ... | Lt. Roget / Singing man |
 | Richard Anderson | ... | Maj. Saint-Auban |
| Joe Turkel | ... | Pvt. Pierre Arnaud (as Joseph Turkel) |
| Christiane Kubrick | ... | German singer (as Susanne Christian) |
| Jerry Hausner | ... | Proprietor of cafe |
| Peter Capell | ... | Narrator of opening sequence / Judge (colonel) of court-martial |
| Emile Meyer | ... | Father Dupree |
| Bert Freed | ... | Sgt. Boulanger |
| Kem Dibbs | ... | Pvt. Lejeune |
 | Timothy Carey | ... | Pvt. Maurice Ferol |
| Fred Bell | ... | Shell-shock victim |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
87 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.33 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
Spain:T |
Iceland:L |
Spain:(Banned) (1957-1986) |
West Germany:12 (f) |
South Korea:15 |
Brazil:14 |
Argentina:Atp (re-rating) |
Netherlands:12 (2007) (DVD) |
Argentina:13 (original rating) |
Australia:PG |
Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) |
Canada:G (Quebec) |
Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) |
Finland:K-16 |
France:(Banned) (original rating) |
France:U (re-release) |
Ireland:12 |
Norway:16 |
Sweden:15 |
UK:A (original rating) (cut) |
UK:PG (video rating) (1987) (uncut) |
USA:Unrated
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
Director Trademark: [Stanley Kubrick] [Three-Way]Col. Dax vs. Gen. Mireau vs. Gen. Broulard
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Goofs:
Continuity: In the scenes of the men's executions the sky repeatedly shifts between gray and overcast in some shots to bright sunshine in others, noticeably changing the natural light, causing shadows and sun glare to appear and disappear from shot to shot.
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Quotes:
Colonel Dax:
Too much has happened. Someone's got to be hurt. The only question is who. General Mireau's assault on the Ant Hill failed. His order to fire on his own troops was refused. But his attempt to murder three innocent men to protect his own reputation will be prevented by the General Staff.
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Movie Connections:
Featured in The 100 Greatest War Films (2005) (TV)
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Soundtrack:
Der Treue Husar
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FAQ
A Note Regarding SpoilersIs "Paths of Glory" based on a novel?
Any recommendations for WWI movies similar to "Paths of Glory"?
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more (252 total)
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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.