Paths of Glory (DVD, 1999)

"Paths of Glory," one of Stanley Kubrick's earliest films, remains a classic war film. By our contemporary standards, it might appear a bit primitive. In its day, it was controversial, having offended French sensibilities for its depiction of the arrogance and corruption of French high command during World War One's trench warfare, and the related indifference to the plight of the common soldier. For any fans of Kubrick's more recent "Full Metal Jacket" who've not seen the earlier film, it is a very good look at how a younger Kubrick viewed war, and how he matured into making the later film.

Chillingly accurate look at the French Miliary command structure during the trench warfare with Germany WWI & the minimal value placed on humnan life versus saving "face." Great acting displayed by several of the characters, especially Kirk Douglas. In B&W, gives a feeling of the drudgery & hopelessness felt by the foot soldier. A snapshot of the 701st division.

One of the best, if not THE best of all war movies. I thought the ending scene is probably the most sensitive and excruiatingly touching, as it shows the outward sense of false bravado of the soldiers, ending in each one breaking down in empathy and total sadness of the reality and complete evil of war. Kirk Douglas is wonderful. The men who are made scapegoats of their cowardly and evil commanders are inspirational and profoundly moving. A Grade A+ story told exceedingly well.

Begins quickly and cuts right into the story. The story never bogs down or becomes boring and has great continuity. I would recommend it to anyone who loves Classic Kirk Douglas and a great storyline.

Outstanding movie. Great acting by the complete cast. Shows how screwed up the French were in WW1 and you can see how that mind set continued through WW2 and through today. Thank heaven we don't have to depend on France.

It is a great movie. The quality of the DVD is perfect. I would recommend it to anyone who appreciates great acting. (The Good old days when Acting was more than a pretty face.)

The B&W and the sound make you come back to the Worl War one in a few minutes... The scene of the attack with Kirk Douglas is fantasticly done... I hope you'll like so much as me...

cooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooolllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A very good World War I movie that stars Kirk Douglas (The Final
Countdown, The Man from Snowy River, The War Wagon, In Harms Way,
etc) as Colonel Da, the commander of a weary regiment of the French
army along the western front during the War. When French generals-
with the overall commanding general played by Adolphe Menjou ( Pollyanna,
State of the Union-1948 edition, The Sniper-1952 edition, etc)-order
the regiment to carry out what amounts to a suicide mission against
heavy German fire, some of the men refuse. When the army tries three
of the soldiers on charges of cowardice, Dax acts as their defense
attorney and points out problems within the headquarters unit and
commanders-such as the French artillery firing on their own men, and
no available reinforcements to enlarge a breakthrough. Although it
probably means his career, Dax continues with his defense of his men.
A movie that mostly history students and devotees of war movies will
enjoy mostly-although collectors of Kirk Douglas movies should also
enjoy and add this movie to their collections.

I purchased this DVD because it was directed by Stanley Kubrick. I'd been reading about some of the best war movies ever made, and this movie came up. I've been a Kubrick fan all of my adult life, and had to have it for my personal collection.