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Paths of Glory
1957 88 min United States of America 12+
★8.5
War, Drama
Director: Stanley Kubrick
🎭 Based on
«Paths of Glory»
byHumphrey Cobb
Trailers
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Teaser
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Description
A commanding officer defends three scapegoats on trial for a failed offensive that occurred within the French Army in 1916.
Budget:
$935,000
Worldwide:
$1.2M
Starring
Kirk Douglas
Actor
Ralph Meeker
Actor
Adolphe Menjou
Actor
Awards
BAFTA 1958
— Best Picture
Key opinion
Paths of Glory is widely regarded as a masterful anti-war film that uses the backdrop of WWI to critique military hierarchy and the cold indifference of command. Through sharp performances and striking visual contrasts, it effectively portrays the tragic divide between soldiers' lives and the strategic ambitions of their leaders.
| Acting | Kirk Douglas delivers a standout, commanding performance that anchors the film's moral core. | |
| Cinematography | The film utilizes stark black-and-white cinematography to immerse viewers in the desolation of trenches and the cold atmosphere of military life. | |
| Direction | Kubrick’s direction presents a sharp, unflinching indictment of the disparity between the lives of soldiers and the political posturing of generals. | |
| Screenplay | The script provides a powerful and heartbreaking exploration of war as an institutional absurdity, highlighted by a deeply moving final scene. | |
| Production | The production design effectively communicates the thematic contrast between the muddy, brutal frontline and the opulent, detached palaces of the high command. |