Paths of Glory

1957's PATHS OF GLORY is a brilliant and brilliantly compact anti-war drama, possibly the best of its type I have seen.  Director Stanley Kubrick, whose genius is already in evidence here (not the least of which are the innovative and fluid camera movements), made a career out of documenting dehumanization of his characters.  The battlefield is a mileau to which Kubrick returned numerous times.  This was not limited to the trenches, but more often in the inner sanctums of military brass, whose decisions were not limited as to how to best the enemy.   In this film, Generals will even order their artillery to fire on their own men.  The insanity of war, wrought by the cowardice of those who call others cowards.

World War I.  The French are struggling against the Germans.  It is decided that they are to take the "Anthill" - an impregnable post.  A mission certain to fail.  But when one General tells the other that a promotion is in the wind, plans are made.  War.  Where human life is cheap among Company men.  To no one's surprise, the mission is a disaster.  Waves of men are gunned down, never reaching the Germans.  Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) tries to lead his surviving troops forward, but they refuse, seeing imminent death. He can hardly blame them.   A suicide mission.

In the rank and file, failures require punishment.  A court martial.  Three souls are ultimately chosen.  One of them was previously awarded for bravery in battle.  Dax tries in vain to defend them.  The court is rigged against the accused.  There is not even a written indictment.  Evidence that can assist the defense is refused.  The trio is sentenced to the firing squad.

PATHS OF GLORY's narrative is simple and devastating.  Arguably, so are its themes.  Familiar ground - men with medals engineer fates and seek their own gain.  Kill their own, accidentally or otherwise, then cover their tracks.  Indulge their lusts for advancement.  Valor, an illusion.  But then there are good men like Dax, rarities whose integrity will go ignored and even mocked.  Buried under protocol and men with heads full of grandeur.  Middle men caught between toxic ambition of superiors and the increasingly eroding morale of foot soldiers.

Kubrick, co-writing with Calder Willingham and Jim Thompson (adapting Humphrey Cobb's novel of the same name), more than suggest that such behavior goes far beyond the Axis.  Check your government.  Your workplace.  Those damned collectives.  All seeking paths of glory that lead to moral bankruptcy.