PATHS OF GLORY (1957)

Cast

Plot

One of Stanley Kubrick's earliest films, Paths of Glory is a seminal anti-war movie. Set during the First World War, the French general staff give the order for Colonel Dax (Douglas) and his men to attack a particularly well fortified German position. The order is little more than authorised suicide and when the remanants of Dax's men return, the high command, looking for something to distact from their murderous incompetence, decide to court-martial three of the surviving soldiers. The outraged Dax - a lawyer in civilian life - rises to the men's defence, but is aware of the ultimate futility of his attempt to save them from the firing squad. An incredible tour de force by both Kubrick and Douglas and banned in France for 18 years.