Paths of Glory (1957 film) Thesis Paper Movie Review

Paths of nimbus cloud (1957 take up) Thesis Paper - Movie Review ExampleStanley Kubricks Paths of resplendence is a unique film, not just in terms of the strong anti- state of war message, but also in the manner in which it was conveyed. Based on a novel by Humphrey Cobb of the same name, the film is set during the First World War and stars Kirk Douglas (Colonel Dax) in the lead role. The heroic authorial stance of the film is unconventional in that it perceives of glory in a radically different way. Taken from Thomas Greys famous lines of poem that goes the paths of glory lead but to the grave, author Humphrey Cobb takes up Paths of Glory for the title with implied irony. Kirk Douglass give an excellent performance in translating and presenting the spirit of the story onscreen. (Kane, 1988, p.90) In conventional Hollywood of the time, any glorification in relation to war came via roleplays of courage and sacrifice, even if it proved fatal. But Paths of Glory spun around this id ea and projected glory in an altogether new light. Here, glory would represent the refusal to act on official orders, and instead act on moral convictions. (Stam, 2000, p.14) This message is not easy for the audience to digest, for Americas participation in the smashing War was seen as an act of moral responsibility by a majority of its citizens. (Belton, 1994, p.170) Moreover, the film captures the conflicting interests of the officers and the soldiers in real battle situations. Behind the facade of unity (as most war propaganda would piddle people believe) officers can at times deliberately put the lives of their subordinates at jeopardy. This is evident in the film, as cut General Mireau (played by George Macready), orders his division to embark upon a suicidal mission to capture a strongly en-forted German position. As this move would earn Mireau a promotion, he was bent on acting solely for self gain, as against the spirit of unity that is expected in military divisions. (S uid, 2002, p.748) The film will have to be lauded for showing these bitter internal political realities within a major national institution such as a military in the backdrop of the heat, chaos and intrigue of war. The director pulls off this feat as realistically as possible. Where other movies would evade or underplay such uncomforting truths, Paths of Glory bravely took on a commitment to ground realities. (Altman, 1999, p.14) Colonel Dax (played by Kirk Douglas) is the hero of the film, as he sees to protecting soldiers under his charge from the selfish designs of General Mireau. As a way of deflecting blame from himself, Mireau orders the Court Martial of 100 of his soldiers (later reduced to 3) for cowardice and refusal to obey orders. It is at this juncture that the denouement of the film unfolds, as Colonel Dax (who served as a civilian lawyer prior to his military engagement) takes up the cause of the hapless soldiers and defends their case. Director Stanley Kubrick makes y et another bold statement via his realistic word-painting of the dynamics of power. Although Court Martial are supposed to conform to commonly accepted principles of jurisprudence, fairness, justice and due process of law, in the case the three luckless soldiers who are sentenced to death (essentially summarily after the farcical trial). (Clarke, 2006, p.112) Hence, in conclusion, Paths of Glory is satisfactory in terms of aesthetics, screenplay, dialogue and