PATHS OF GLORYDIRECTED BY: STANLEY KUBRICK
WRITTEN BY: STANLEY KUBRICK, CALDER WILLINGHAM, & JIM THOMPSON
OVERALL SCORE: 8.75/10
WRITTEN BY: STANLEY KUBRICK, CALDER WILLINGHAM, & JIM THOMPSON
OVERALL SCORE: 8.75/10
After failing to take over the "Anthill" during World War 1, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) must defend several of his men from charges of cowardice at the hands of their selfish General Mireau (George Macready).
Kubrick has always been hit or miss for me. Sometimes brilliant camera and narrative artist, other times I get the feeling he tries to force what isn't there. With Paths of Glory Kubrick pulls off a work of directing genius, keeping this powerful novel adaptation simple, pure, and to the point. Never forcing intense scenes with sweeping camera shots, Kubrick keeps the film character bound, only showing what is absolutely necessary to get the message across: even heroes aren't always heroes in war.
Douglas and Mcready light up the screen, butting heads with great charisma and use of dialogue. While supporting cast members Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, Wayne Morris, and Richard Anderson each perform their jobs admirably. Never asked to dominate the screen, each actor is asked instead to embrace their character, wait for their character's defining moment, and then execute it. Some subtle, some with heavy handed emotion, each of the actors do exactly that, giving the viewer an intense viewing experience.
It's that experience that brings the film to life. At times comically depressing, harsh in its view at military precedent and politics, Kubrick and company spare nobody. It's that sense of single moral statement that allows Paths of Glory to be such a small, simple film, and yet maintain a powerful punch once the credits role. The use of black and white give a sense of realism and history to the film, elevating the events to that of a documentary status. It's in that sense of narrative strength that Paths of Glory's tale fully succeeds, and the audience is all the better for it.
Solid from start to finish, Kubrick's narrative skills behind the camera are on perfect display in this thrilling and emotional World War 1 tale.
Kubrick has always been hit or miss for me. Sometimes brilliant camera and narrative artist, other times I get the feeling he tries to force what isn't there. With Paths of Glory Kubrick pulls off a work of directing genius, keeping this powerful novel adaptation simple, pure, and to the point. Never forcing intense scenes with sweeping camera shots, Kubrick keeps the film character bound, only showing what is absolutely necessary to get the message across: even heroes aren't always heroes in war.
Douglas and Mcready light up the screen, butting heads with great charisma and use of dialogue. While supporting cast members Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, Wayne Morris, and Richard Anderson each perform their jobs admirably. Never asked to dominate the screen, each actor is asked instead to embrace their character, wait for their character's defining moment, and then execute it. Some subtle, some with heavy handed emotion, each of the actors do exactly that, giving the viewer an intense viewing experience.
It's that experience that brings the film to life. At times comically depressing, harsh in its view at military precedent and politics, Kubrick and company spare nobody. It's that sense of single moral statement that allows Paths of Glory to be such a small, simple film, and yet maintain a powerful punch once the credits role. The use of black and white give a sense of realism and history to the film, elevating the events to that of a documentary status. It's in that sense of narrative strength that Paths of Glory's tale fully succeeds, and the audience is all the better for it.
Solid from start to finish, Kubrick's narrative skills behind the camera are on perfect display in this thrilling and emotional World War 1 tale.
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