Paths of Glory

96%

Tomatometer

78 Reviews

95%

Audience Score

25,000+ Ratings

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.

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Paths of Glory

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Paths of Glory is a transcendentally humane war movie from Stanley Kubrick, with impressive, protracted battle sequences and a knock-out ending.

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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The director Stanley Kubrick and the producer-star Kirk Douglas anticipated the countercultural energy of the 1960s with this angry anti-war parable.

Rated: 5/5

Mar 1, 2024

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Anton Bitel

Little White Lies

...the real enemy here is the French officer class who, from their opulently appointed chateau, use infantry as pawns in pursuit of personal promotion and in covering up of their own highly consequential failures.

Feb 19, 2024

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Kate Muir

Times (UK)

Those who are used to 2001: A Space Odyssey or A Clockwork Orange will initially find this black-and-white First World War drama starring Kirk Douglas rather traditional, until its radical content is revealed.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 2, 2015

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Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

Paths of Glory was too sobering to be a popular success, but it established Kubrick as a leading director.

Mar 12, 2024

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Roger Moore

Movie Nation

A brisk and biting World War I anti-war film, a politicized combat movie that reset the standard for trench warfare movies.

Rated: 4/4

Jun 22, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Arguably the greatest antiwar film ever made, Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory feels like a mule kick to the stomach no matter how many times one has seen it (in my case, too many to recall).

Rated: 4/4

Sep 25, 2022

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Audience Reviews

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ssean p dont know why it took so long to see this film. gripped from the start, first battle and the artillery noise was horrendous and made the scene almost unbearable. through out the film the officers sidestepped responsibility and played the blame game...definitely one of the best war films ever made. can see why it was banned in france for a while.. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/16/23 Full Review K W Unmissable. Superb acting from everyone. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/04/23 Full Review Sarah T This movie exists to be agreed with. Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/29/23 Full Review Dane W it kubrick. it can't go raw Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/23/23 Full Review Greg H Greatest WWI film of all time? Superior to All Quiet on the Western Front? Stanley Kubrick's first of many masterpieces for you to experience. When watching Paths of Glory it doesn't feel like a 1957 release but something newer, more sophisticated and ahead of other films made in the 1950's decade. The ground breaking camera work separates this film from its contemporaries. Kirk Douglas in what might be his best performance, leads his soldiers and we the viewers down a unbelievable path that's gut wrenching and heart breaking. Stanley Kubrick's mastery of the craft of filmmaking is on full display in this great movie. If you're unsure about the questions above then let me help you. Yes and Yes. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/26/23 Full Review Jens B Very good, very nice. My boyfriend fell asleep after approx. 20 mins. Rated 4.5/5 Stars • Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/06/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Paths of Glory

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Cast & Crew

Stanley Kubrick Director Kirk Douglas Col. Dax Ralph Meeker Cpl. Philip Paris Adolphe Menjou Gen. George Broulard George Macready Gen. Paul Mireau Wayne Morris Lt. Roget

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Paths of Glory

Paths of Glory: Official Clip - The Execution