Paths of Glory

Amazon.com essential video

Stanley Kubrick had already made his talent known with the outstanding racetrack heist thriller The Killing, but it was the 1957 antiwar masterpiece Paths of Glory that catapulted Kubrick to international acclaim. Based on the novel by Humphrey Cobb, the film was initiated by Kirk Douglas, who chose the young Kubrick to direct what would become one of the most powerful films about the wasteful insanity of warfare. In one of his finest roles, Douglas plays Colonel Dax, commander of a battle-worn regiment of the French army along the western front during World War I. Held in their trenches under the threat of German artillery, the regiment is ordered on a suicidal mission to capture an enemy stronghold. When the mission inevitably fails, French generals order the selection of three soldiers to be tried and executed on the charge of cowardice. Dax is appointed as defense attorney for the chosen scapegoats, and what follows is a travesty of justice that has remained relevant and powerful for decades. In the wake of some of the most authentic and devastating battle sequences ever filmed, Kubrick brilliantly explores the political machinations and selfish personal ambitions that result in battlefield slaughter and senseless executions. The film is unflinching in its condemnation of war and the self-indulgence of military leaders who orchestrate the deaths of thousands from the comfort of their luxurious headquarters. For many years, Paths of Glory was banned in France as a slanderous attack on French honor, but it's clear that Kubrick's intense drama is aimed at all nations and all men. Though it touches on themes of courage and loyalty in the context of warfare, the film is specifically about the historical realities of World War I, but its impact and artistic achievement remain timeless and universal. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Safe in their picturesque chateau behind the front lines, the French general staff passes down a direct order to Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas): take the Ant Hill at any cost. A blatant suicide mission, the attack is doomed to failure. Covering up their fatal blunder, the generals order the arrest of three innocent soldiers, charging them with cowardice and mutiny. Dax, a lawyer in civilian life, rises to the men's defense but soon realizes that, unless he can prove that the generals were to blame,nothing less than a miracle will save his clients from the firing squad. A compelling masterpiece from world-class director/writer Stanley Kubrick and screenwriters Calder Willingham and JimThompson, Paths of Glory is a blistering indictment of military politics and "an unforgettable movie experience" (Newsweek).

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly moving film of the harsh realities of War.......2007-08-03

I found this film quite amazing from the first frame that appeared on screen. The story was great, the effects were great, It just was filmed beautifully. Kirk Douglas and the rest of the cast gave incredible performances. Especially towards the end. Honestly I was moved to tears by this film. Stanley Kubrick was a wonderful director and it really shows through his direction in this film. This is a great film that should not be missed , especially by the fans of the director. 10/10

Gutwrenching! Thank goodness it was only a movie!!!.......2007-07-27

This movie is about France vs. Germany in WWII, and has some strange irony between it and the war in Iraq right now. 3 Frenchmen are made scapegoats and given needless courts martial trials, just as several of the American Troops have been given unnecessarily. Very emotional, and it will help you visualize how Generals and those who seek power will do anything and everything to get it, and then do anything and everything to keep it. Watch this movie! I can't say it was 'enjoyable', but it was certainly entertaining. It's one of those movies like Schindler's List, that will move you emotionally. It's very moving, and I'd give it two thumbs up. If I had more than 2 thumbs, I'd 'up' them too!

Kubrick at this Best.......2007-07-20

And that is saying something. This 1957 film crystalizes everything great about Kubrick: The way his actors state their lines with perfect articulation and syntax. The precision of his shots (check out the way the General inspects the trenches early in the film, the same trenches that will be the site of horrific devastation). The surrealistic and yet overly realistic shot of battle. The clearly revealed shots of morality. And finally, the way he gets people to dole out incredible performances. You will never see Kirk Douglas more powerful, more honest, more convincing than his depiction of the brilliant Colonel, who has to deal with his inferior superiors. It almost makes too much sense today. Well worth the 90 some minutes of your time.

Copy Cat for history In The Haditha Marine Case.......2007-07-01

Kirk Douglas was enlisted in the US Navy he saw how pride gets in the way of ownership. He was able to show how a leader supports his men even when the noose is around their necks. Something our current house of representatives and the senate should be watching for the comparisons in the Haditha Marine case. [...]

The prosecutors should be held accountable for the destruction of these Marines lives. as the prosecutor Mike Nifong in the Duke La Cross case is.
Thanks for the good job, Kirk.

............"THE SCOURGE OF WAR"................2007-06-06

Awesome and powerful movie this, "Paths of Glory"...I surfed into Kirk Douglas on an interview show, and he made a statement about why he wanted to star in this movie...his reasoning was because of the Korean War [as well as WW1]...with the clashes between Truman and MacArthur pertaining to positional warfare and static warfare [the attrition of trench/bunker mentality]...Actor Kirk Douglas admired Gen. MacArthur for taking on his President who wanted this "old trend"....to talk peace; yet, wage war with delibating results of years and years of neither side advancing or getting the advantage for a clear/cut victory...Gen. Mac Arthur, all though his illustrious 50 yrs of dedicated service to the American people, fought to perpetuate the American fighting/warrior spirit to achieve VICTORY before appeasement to any enemy...so it unfolds in Kubrick's masterpiece as the French High Command 'fights' the war from the fine-dining and opulence venues of Paris while their loyal troops get chewed up into little bits at the Grinder [ The Ant/Hill]...what is the life, of but 3 'insignificant' soldiers to be scapegoated and executed for returning to their trenches after sustaining prolific/horrendous casualties from withering German machine guns registered-in fields of fire out in No Man's Land...anyone, yes, anyone would withdraw staring at your last day on earth under such lethal fire power...the final scene: as the French troops mock and leer at a young captured German girl...she shows grit/courage as a frighten virgin amongst the enemy French...she turns her sentimental song in their faces so innocently, that the French soldiers start crying at the whims of what war brings to friend or foe...Kirk Douglas is immense as a combat officer who gives a good darn about his enlisted troops and puts his miltary career on the line [exactly like Mac Arthur]...no matter what...at any cost, of decency to save his troops lives instead of the luxuries of the Chiefs of Staff Officers where they indulge, oblivious, to the slaughter of their men in the dank-rat-infested trenches and bunkers for years of no gain..no win...[1914-1918]....this was repeated in Korea by President Harry S. Truman until Gen. Douglas Mac Arthur decided to get in Truman's face...by don't scapegoat our brave troops for appeasement!!...ever think, it might be your son/daughter who dies for nothing!!....this is a cerebral film to ponder....want to compare it to Korea, Vietnam and today in Iraq??.....Semper Fidelis....SSGT CHRIS SARNO-USMC FMF

United Artists Cinema Greats Collection, Set 3 (12 Angry Men / A Bridge Too Far / Judgment At Nuremberg / Paths Of Glory)

Average customer rating:

United Artists Cinema Greats Collection, Set 3 (12 Angry Men / A Bridge Too Far / Judgment At Nuremberg / Paths Of Glory)
Starring: Henry Fonda , Kirk Douglas , Sean Connery , Michael Caine , and Laurence Olivier
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00000F4X2
Release Date: 2007-10-23

Description

Disc 1: Paths of Glory P&S Disc 2: Twelve Angry Men WS Disc 3: Judgment at Nuremberg WS Disc 4: A Bridge Too Far WS

Average customer rating:

Twentieth Century warfare as seen through the eyes of filmmakers

Ultimate War DVD Giftpack

Manufacturer: MGM/United Artists
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Combat | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Military & War | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000NQQ0AU
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Amazon.com

This giftset includes 10 favorite classic war films including: The Great Escape, Flyboys, 633 Squadron, The Battle of Britain, The Devil's Brigade, Exodus, Paths of Glory, Platoon, Run Silent, Run Deep and Zulu.

Customer Reviews:

Twentieth Century warfare as seen through the eyes of filmmakers.......2007-05-31

ULTIMATE WAR GIFTPACK consists of ten movies on ten DVDs. The majority of these are big-budget spectaculars that include large casts of famous actors. Subject matter covers many of the 20th Century's major conflicts: the Boer War, WWI, WWII and Vietnam. This top-quality box set is certain to please the most discriminating war film collectors.

.
The following alphabetized program list provides viewer poll ratings for each title (based on a 1 to 10 scale), plus country of origin (if other than USA), years of release and best-known actors.

(6.8) The Battle of Britain (UK-1969) - Harry Andrews/Michael Caine/Trevor Howard/Curd Jürgens/Ian McShane/Laurence Olivier/Christopher Plummer/Michael Redgrave/Ralph Richardson/Robert Shaw/Susannah York

(6.5) The Devil's Brigade (1968) - William Holden/Cliff Robertson/Vince Edwards/Andrew Prine/Claude Akins/Richard Jaeckel/Richard Dawson/Harry Carey Jr./Michael Rennie/Carroll O'Connor/Dana Andrews/Patric Knowles

(6.8) Exodus (1960) - Paul Newman/Eva Marie Saint/Ralph Richardson/Peter Lawford/Lee J. Cobb/Sal Mineo/John Derek/Hugh Griffith/Jill Haworth/Paul Stevens/George Maharis

(6.6) Flyboys (France/USA-2006) - James Franco/Scott Hazell/Mac McDonald/Philip Winchester

(8.4) The Great Escape (1963) - Steve McQueen/James Garner/Richard Attenborough/Charles Bronson/Donald Pleasance/James Coburn/David McCallum

(8.5) Paths of Glory (1957) - Kirk Douglas/Ralph Meeker/Adolphe Menjou/George Macready/Wayne Morris

(8.1) Platoon (1986) - Tom Berenger/Willem Dafoe/Charlie Sheen/Forest Whitaker/John C. McGinley/Kevin Dillon/Johnny Depp/Oliver Stone (cameo)

(7.3) Run Silent, Run Deep (1958) - Clark Gable/Burt Lancaster/Jack Warden/Don Rickles

(6.2) 633 Squadron (1964) - Cliff Robertson/George Chakiris

(7.9) Zulu (UK-1964) - Stanley Baker/Jack Hawkins/Michael Caine/Nigel Green/Patric Magee

Average customer rating:

Paths of Glory/A Bridge Too Far
Starring: Dirk Bogarde , James Caan , Michael Caine , Sean Connery , and Denholm Elliott
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000062XF8
Release Date: 2002-05-07

Average customer rating:

Incredibly moving film of the harsh realities of War
Gutwrenching! Thank goodness it was only a movie!!!
Kubrick at this Best
Copy Cat for history In The Haditha Marine Case
............"THE SCOURGE OF WAR".........

Paths of Glory (B&W)
Starring: Kirk Douglas , Ralph Meeker , Adolphe Menjou , George Macready , and Wayne Morris
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: Video
Binding: VHS Tape

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | VHS | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | VHS | Video

World War I | Military & War | Genres | VHS | Video

Anti-War Films | Military & War | Genres | VHS | Video

General | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | VHS | Video

Anderson, Richard | ( A ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Carey, Timothy | ( C ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Dibbs, Kem | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Douglas, Kirk | ( D ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Freed, Bert | ( F ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Hausner, Jerry | ( H ) | Actors & Actresses | VHS | Video

Kubrick, Stanley | ( K ) | Directors | VHS | Video

Deals Under $8 | Today's Deals in Video | Features | VHS | Video

All Deals | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: 6304508557
Release Date: 2000-04-04

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly moving film of the harsh realities of War.......2007-08-03

Gutwrenching! Thank goodness it was only a movie!!!.......2007-07-27

Kubrick at this Best.......2007-07-20

Copy Cat for history In The Haditha Marine Case.......2007-07-01

............"THE SCOURGE OF WAR"................2007-06-06

Paths of Glory 100 Years of Pitt Football

Average customer rating:

Paths of Glory 100 Years of Pitt Football

Manufacturer: Wqed Multimedia
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Documentary | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $7.49 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000GAKINI
Release Date: 2005-11-22

Description

Paths of Glory-100 Years of Pitt Football

For 100 years the University of Pittsburgh has forged a tradition of gridiron excellence. This program spans from the earliest days of the Pitt football program through 9 national championships. - Get to know some of Pitt's legendary coaches like "Pop" Warner, Doctor "Jock" Sutherland and Jackie Sherrill and more. Re - live the Golden years of the "Golden Panthers". See Pitt's memorable victory over Fordham at Pitt Stadium, the legendary rivalry between Pitt vs. Penn State, and be there as Marshall Goldberg leads Pitt to the Rose Bowl in the late `30s. Go back to 1976 when "Touchdown" Tony Dorsett hits the trifecta becoming the NCAA's all - time leading rusher, winning the coveted Heisman Trophy and leading the Panthers to a National Championship with a win in the Sugar Bowl. See Lombardi Award winner, Hugh Green, the countries best defensive lineman in 1980. Watch all - time Pitt great and NFL Hall - of - Famer Danny Marino win MVP of the Sugar Bowl in the early 80's.

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Incredibly moving film of the harsh realities of War.......2007-08-03

Gutwrenching! Thank goodness it was only a movie!!!.......2007-07-27

Kubrick at this Best.......2007-07-20

Copy Cat for history In The Haditha Marine Case.......2007-07-01

............"THE SCOURGE OF WAR"................2007-06-06

DVD:

DVD

DVD