Paths of Glory (2 Viewers)

This is a great movie. Certainly under appreciated, except by France, who banned it from showing in France for decades (I am not sure about current status in France). The movie is a scathing indictment on French military leadership in WW1 and on war in general. This movie is based on Humphrey Cobb's novel of the same name, which in itself is based on a true incident. If you have not seen this show, you are missing out on a classic. There are some technical inaccuracies but most will not notice or care. The story is so shocking and gripping that the viewer has little time to notice the few small errors that occur. -- Al
 
One of the great movies of all time. I think I started a thread about it a couple of years ago.
 
It is indeed riveting and I plan on seeing it again soon in BRD with the new restoration and maybe picking it up when it comes down in price. It came out in 1957 and was banned in France until 1975 and SPAIN until 1986. I am not sure what the Spanish ban was about.:confused:
 
It was probably banned in Spain because it was anti-military. The civilian authorities were quite concerned about keeping the military in the barracks during the transition and doing nothing to offend them, particularly after Colonel Tejero's attempted coup in 1981.
 
There is a scene in the movie where the French general orders his artillery to fire on his own trenches in order to drive his troops out of the trenches and into the attack. Deliberate or not, the French infantry was well familiar with the effects of friendly fire. It is estimated that the French Army lost some 75,000 men KIA due to their own (friendly fire:eek:) artillery during the course of WW1 on the Western Front. French military problems during WW1 are legion and it is little wonder that mutinies occurred in large numbers in spring 1917. -- Al
 
You guys aren't confusing this with the Will Ferrell flick Blades of Glory are you??

(Sorry :p:eek:)
 
I agree, one of the best war films ever and it was made in 1957.
I enjoyed it as a kid and still enjoy it as an old man!
Gary
 
Now the question is how long will it take Netflix or even Blockbuster to get the BRD. They are not very good at upgrading to movies with such a limited following, even classics. It does rank #51 of best all time movies among the 500,000+ voters at the IMDb and even higher with film critics but both groups are not exactly representative of the public at large.
 
Great movie.Shows what is actually like to live in Hell.It will always remain a mystery on how callous some of the military leadership were with no regard to human life.
Mark
 
lancer said:
There is a scene in the movie where the French general orders his artillery to fire on his own trenches in order to drive his troops out of the trenches and into the attack. Deliberate or not, the French infantry was well familiar with the effects of friendly fire. It is estimated that the French Army lost some 75,000 men KIA due to their own (friendly fire:eek:) artillery during the course of WW1 on the Western Front. French military problems during WW1 are legion and it is little wonder that mutinies occurred in large numbers in spring 1917. -- Al
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If anyone is interested in the French Army mutinies, cause and effect, get a copy of Richard Watt's "Dare Call It Treason". Not hard to find or expensive it is a good history of the trevails of the French Army in WW1. It traces the casualties, mistreatment of the troops, uncaring leadership, and behind the lines politics that lead up to the 1917 mutinies. It is a good read. -- Al
 
Well I'll be hornswoggled; Blockbuster is going to have it when it releases on the 26th:eek:; put it in my cue.:cool: This is one reason I use both.;)
 
This movie has so many great scenes that it is hard to pick a favorite. I am partial to the over-the-top assault scenes. They are really well done. I also liked the night patrol sequence. The lighting is so good that the feeling of isolation comes across and the use of flares to highlight what the dark hides is simply fantastic. The scene where the flare exposes the unseen bodies and detritus is the best scene in the movie, IMHO. Kubrick sure knew his job. -- Al
 
lancer said:
This movie has so many great scenes that it is hard to pick a favorite. I am partial to the over-the-top assault scenes. They are really well done. I also liked the night patrol sequence. The lighting is so good that the feeling of isolation comes across and the use of flares to highlight what the dark hides is simply fantastic. The scene where the flare exposes the unseen bodies and detritus is the best scene in the movie, IMHO. Kubrick sure knew his job. -- Al
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Yes, I really like all of Kubrick's films, except for Eyes Wide Shut.
 
Spitfrnd said:
Yes, I really like all of Kubrick's films, except for Eyes Wide Shut.
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Agree with this. Have tryed to watch EWS a couple of times and just couldn't make it through. Love Kubrick. Too bad he had to go out on EWS.:( -- Al
 
Dr. Strangelove has no peer for me. Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago I was watching Failsafe on TCM (which I think is a stupendous movie) and at the end, the host said that Failsafe never did well and has never achieved great recognition because Dr. Strangelove came out in the same year but a little earlier.

My favorite scene in that movie is which the American general, General Bogan, and his Russian counterpart reminisce about the great cities of the world. The scene lasts less than a minute but it evokes shared memories.
 
jazzeum said:
Dr. Strangelove has no peer for me. Interestingly, a couple of weeks ago I was watching Failsafe on TCM (which I think is a stupendous movie) and at the end, the host said that Failsafe never did well and has never achieved great recognition because Dr. Strangelove came out in the same year but a little earlier.

My favorite scene in that movie is which the American general, General Bogan, and his Russian counterpart reminisce about the great cities of the world. The scene lasts less than a minute but it evokes shared memories.
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Dr. Strangelove is another of my favorites as well but nothing he did has quite the impact to me of 2001 . It is simply amazing. Interestingly, Spielberg has credited Kubrick as a great part of his film making education and influence. He cites Paths of Glory as one of his favorites and 2001 as the big bang of his generation. He also describes Kubrick's technique in Barry Lyndon as impeccable.
 
Brad and Bill, you all are discussing some of my all time favorite movies. Stangelove and Fail Safe are just masterpieces. Barry Lyndon another great one and Clockwork Orange is another mind-bender. Full Metal Jacket was another one that was an example of Kubrick's greatness. I miss the anticipation of the next Kubrick film. Fail Safe never got the recognition it deserved. Fonda was brilliant. -- Al
 
lancer said:
Brad and Bill, you all are discussing some of my all time favorite movies. Stangelove and Fail Safe are just masterpieces. Barry Lyndon another great one and Clockwork Orange is another mind-bender. Full Metal Jacket was another one that was an example of Kubrick's greatness. I miss the anticipation of the next Kubrick film. Fail Safe never got the recognition it deserved. Fonda was brilliant. -- Al
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Yes I agree about Fail Safe; Fonda was indeed brilliant.
 
All this talk about Paths, I watched it again last night, as good as ever.
Gary
 
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