Is Paths of Glory Based on a true story?
Paths of Glory is based loosely on the true story of the Souain corporals affair, when four French soldiers were executed in 1915, during World War I under General Géraud Réveilhac, for failure to follow orders. The soldiers were exonerated posthumously, in 1934.
What is the movie Paths of Glory about?
During World War I, commanding officer General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) orders his subordinate, General Mireau (George Macready), to attack a German trench position, offering a promotion as an incentive. Though the mission is foolhardy to the point of suicide, Mireau commands his own subordinate, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas), to plan the attack. When it ends in disaster, General Mireau demands the court-martial of three random soldiers in order to save face.
Paths of Glory/Film synopsis
Why is Paths of Glory anti-war?
While Hollywood was turning out pro-war movies that almost felt like propaganda films from the Pentagon, Kubrick chose to make a anti-war film with “Paths of Glory”. By having the film take place during World War I and using French soldiers, Kubrick could criticize the American military without anyone noticing.
How old was Kubrick when he made Paths of Glory?
28 years old
Stanley Kubrick was just 28 years old when he made Paths of Glory, only his fourth feature film and his first critical success. The movie was based on a 1935 novel by Humphrey Cobb, which was adapted for the stage in the same year by a WWI veteran named Sidney Howard.
Was Paths of Glory banned in France?
When Truffaut famously said that it was impossible to make an anti-war movie, because action argues in favor of itself, he could not have been thinking of “Paths of Glory,” and no wonder: Because of its harsh portrait of the French army, the film was banned in France until 1975.
Where was Paths of Glory banned?
“Paths of Glory,” which was released in 1957, was banned by Switzerland as “incontestably offensive” to France, her judicial system and her army.
How did Paths of Glory end?
At the end of Paths of Glory, Kirk Douglas continues to do his duty, even after suffering episode after episode of injustice. When he enters an inn to retrieve his men to do battle against the Germans again, he stops to let them listen to a young German girl captive sing a hauntingly beautiful song.
What is the message of Paths of Glory?
In the final sequences of Paths of Glory, Kubrick uses Dax to restore our faith in humanity. As in any successful tragedy this film leaves us with a sense that although terrible things have occurred we are left with some satisfaction with the ending.
Who is the villain in Paths of Glory?
Veteran character actors George Macready and Adolphe Menjou crown their long careers with brilliant portrayals of the martinet Mireau and his devious adversary Broulard. Ralph Meeker, Joseph Turkel, and Timothy Carey are brilliant as the doomed soldiers.