Paths of Glory

Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory must be one the most effective anti-war movies ever made. Anti-war movies often run the risk of ironically glorifying war, as the audience gets caught up in the action. No such risk here. Paths of Glory is unflinching in its portrayal of conditions in the WWI trenches as hell on earth and battles as messy and brutal with very little glory to be had on either side. Kubrick shows no mercy whatsoever in portraying the French generals as monsters, utterly devoid of any trace of human decency. Kubrick’s anger at the waste and futility of war comes across loud and clear. His later Strangelove is a light touch compared with this. All the actors are excellent, particularly Kirk Douglas as the decent Colonel Dax.