Review – Paths of Glory (1957) directed by Stanley Kubrick.
Rewatched on August 14th, 2020
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Well if I’ve learned one thing this summer and during quarantine, it would be: don’t watch old cinema late at night when you’re tired.
So I decided to rewatch this after having just seen it the night before because while I didn’t love it the first time, and I felt like there was truly something in this movie that I might enjoy in a rewatch. And I’m happy to say that that was definitely the case.
Admittedly, I went in with a bit more context this time, having just seen the movie last night as well as having read a few reviews, online articles, and the criterion collection accompanying booklet.
But it was probably fantastic because of it.
Even for a film made in 1957, it’s brimming with life with its immaculate set pieces, mainly the trenches. It’s incredibly immersive and due to great cinematography and direction, it’s easy to feel like you’re there with these soldiers. Part of that is thanks to the incredible attention to detail. The background has so much going on, and it’s not even the main focus. From explosions to gunfire and bombs, to random soldiers being aided through the trenches on stretches and others’ shoulders, it’s incredible.
SPOILERS BELOW:
Continuing talking about the film's incredible immersion, it's something that works fantastically when conveying the film’s message and purpose. This is no heroic and glorious tale, contrary to what the name suggests. It’s an anti-war film, and that message is littered everywhere in this film from the obvious moments to the subtle ones too. Seeing random injured soldiers being carried in stretchers or sitting on the sides of the trenches and not even being the focus of a scene is just one of the many examples this film has. Additionally, while in the trenches you’ll hear gunshots and see explosions that just add to the chaotic energy that is war. During those scenes, I noticed soldiers wincing and crouching in fear during all the bombs and explosions of what’s to come before the big assault; it’s an incredible detail that enhances the film tremendously if you notice it. It’s there in the background for you to notice and take in, but it isn’t quite shoving the message down your throat which I found to be incredibly effective.
One of the best parts of the movie is its stellar direction. I was talking with a friend about what exactly the role of the director is in a film besides being that head and mastermind that guides the project, since w weren't quite sure. Now, I’m no film expert, but what I believe to be great direction is when a film can create a powerful feeling or response to their movie, a scenes or film that almost seems to invoke something within. And this movie definitely does that.
The shots and cinematography are fantastic in that regard. Some of the shots where everything slowly creeps into our sight and perspective as viewers are phenomenal, particularly during the night time scout in no man's land. The slow, steady, and uneasy camera pans throughout the trenches and battlefield is absolutely perfect. And the accompaniment of very absent and isolated sounding music beat creates the perfect tone and vibe for the scene. It’s super eerie, feeling almost like a graveyard.
And the flares highlighting the dead bodies of the trench was such a great moment, very 1917-esque. Or should I say, 1917 is very Paths of Glory-esque.
I said this in my last review, but this movie was not what I expected it to be about. It’s not an action-packed and strategic war film about taking the Anthill with blood and gore; it’s more about this injustice that ensues after the battle when these mean are tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy. The battle for the Anthill only takes up about 10 minutes of the film. That’s what makes it so powerful. It’s not a war film.
It’s an anti-war film.
During a time of cinema showing huge patriotism and epic glorification of war heroes, I can see how this would be revolutionary for many. So much of this film shows the negative and ill sides of what war does to us. It turns us against each other, both as enemies and as comrades. It dehumanizes us, both by becoming inhuman and putting down others in the process. That lack of humanity is everywhere in this film, from the absolutely enraging courtroom scene that makes your blood boil as to how unfair and unjust these judges are being, to the fact that they wanted to and ended up waking up the injured prisoner so that he could be conscious during his execution. It was all horrifying. This quote sticks with me and feels incredibly encompassing and symbolic as to what this film is trying to say:
“There are times that I'm ashamed to be a member of the human race and this is one such occasion.”
Really the entire ending is phenomenally well done. The heartbreaking finale sees the innocent and brave soldiers being escorted to their execution. It’s done through an extended, foreboding, and suspenseful walk that really feels like it’s going on forever; it’s almost like the film knows that we don’t want to see the inevitable injustice happen to these men, so it drags the scene out to keep us tense in suspense. Not only do we see intimate shots of a prisoner emotionally breaking down, knowing what his fate will be very soon, but it blends this with shots of the three stakes that they are to be executed on coming closer and closer into the distance. Even a single shot of just the stakes with nothing else in view is incredibly powerful, and over this entire walk to death, we hear an ominous and ill sounding drum beat, somewhat similar to that of a marching band beat, but much more eerie as well as sounding like it’s building up to something awful. And it is awful. This time around, it was actually really heavy and hit my emotions watching the execution. The scene is phenomenally directed and really sits with you after watching it and taking it in. It’s heartbreaking.
That’s what this film really does incredibly. It’s not making war this fantastic and heroic venture that many other films did and still do. It’s brutal, it’s harsh, it changes us, and it hurts us. It makes us people we shouldn’t be and would never have imagined being. It affects us for years to come (the shell shocked soldier at the beginning is a great example of this). And it really shows how humans turn against each other even when they start on the same side.
The ending is poetically fantastic. I think the fact that this “enemy from Germany” ultimately unites everyone through a song they sing together is a beautiful metaphor for an optimistic. All of these soldiers longing for peace, comfort, and home, and definitely wouldn’t be seeking to fraternize with the enemy that’s preventing them from going home. However, against all odds, they are able to share this moment with someone on the other side; not only do they join in humming this tune with her, but many shed tears as well. This initially rowdy crowd goes silent when first hearing her, and it makes for one of the most, if not the most impactful scenes of the whole film. It’s really emotional and moving.
Also, fun fact: the actress of this german singer eventually became the wife of Stanley Kubrick!
And I think the title is purposely ironic. Typically, if you were to hear the title Paths of Glory, you might think of something heroic, powerful, and awe-inspiring. But as the movie seems to play out, this path of glory might actually not be so glorious after all. While many may have thought war is a path of glory and is a righteous and great thing to do for one's country (and maybe in some case and some regard it is), this film shows you that it’s not all as glorious as it may seem, and might end in little to no justice for anyone with unnecessary and inhumanely spilled blood. For this film, the path of glory is not glorious at all. It is the path plagued by shamefulness and inhumanity, and ultimately leads to injustice. This may be totally wrong, but that’s just how I interpreted it.
I can’t end this review without mentioning Kirk Douglas. He was absolutely phenomenal. It’s a shame I never saw one of his films until after he died, but I’m looking forward to honoring his legacy by watching many of his films in the years to come.
Bottom line, I’m incredibly happy that I decided to rewatch it, and I have so much more appreciation for it. It’s one of the best films I’ve seen about war and makes me incredibly excited to continue with Kubrick’s filmography.
Check out the original review posted on Letterboxd here.
