Cheap Paths of Glory (DVD) (Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker) (Stanley Kubrick) Price

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Kirk Douglas plays the role of Colonel Dax, a French regimental commander in World War I who is given a suicide mission to attack a German position, "the Ant Hill." The attack is a failure and a fiasco, with many soldiers losing their lives senselessly. The attack had no chance of success. Even so, the high command orders that three men from the regiment be selected by their officers and tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy. Dax is to be the officer who defends them.

The trial is a sham and Dax, a brilliant lawyer, realizes that he has little chance of saving the lives of his men. Even so, he perseveres and demonstrates the absurdity of the trial and the criminal intent of the French high command. The men are condemned to death by firing squad. None of this will come as any surprise to the viewer, who early on realizes the stupidity, ineptness, and evil intentions of the high command.

For the high command war (and the lives of the ordinary soldiers who must participate in its ultimate absurdity) is a game and the business of the generals is to get good press and enhance their reputations. Colonel Dax stands for all good people of courage and conviction who speak out at risk to themselves against lies and criminal behavior. Unflinchingly, he confronts Adolph Menjou, the commanding general, listens to his nonsense, and condemns him for the misguided fool that he is. All to no avail. The order stands and the condemned men die on public display for the troops and general staff to witness.

If the movie ended with the executions, it would stand as one of the darkest portraits of fallen human nature yet filmed. But one final scene remains. Dax goes back to his headquarters after the executions and on the way he observes his men in a tavern shouting derisively at a young German woman who stands on stage as an object of ridicule and scorn. Then she starts to sing and her song transfixes and then transforms the men who begin to accompany her as she sings. Her song moves them to tears. Kubrick shows us that common soldiers are not animals whose lives are expendable, but human beings who are debased by war and uplifted by simple acts of human dignity and kindness. This final scene is one of the unforgettable moments in the history of cinema. Few viewers will ever forget it.

WAR IS HELL!
A masterpiece by the visionary genius Stanley Kubrick dealing with the absurdity that takes place durning and after a war. General Broulard (Adolphe Menjou "A Woman of Paris") comes to General Mireau (George Macready) with a special mission, but one they both know will cost many lives. That is all spared, as if the mission goes thru General Mireau will be given yet another star. The strive for greed and power then sets the stage for one of the most powerful film ever made, whether by Kubrick or in general on the subject of war. Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas "Spartacus")right from the begining is all but too aware of the amount of lives this will cost. But is called a coward in the process, and is told to take time off if he can't pull thru. With that being said, he accepts command. The odd, or should I say the amazing thing about this story is the screenplay written by Jim Thompson, Calder Willingham, and Kubrick himself is all based on a book by Humphrey Cobb which is a true story! To think that these unprecedented acts actually occured to unbelieveable. There are Oscar caliber performances here by Douglas and Macready, who both went overlooked as well did the directing, screenplay,and photography! This is a one of a kind film that remains as one of the greatest of all time. A must for anyone's video collection whether your a Kubrick fan, war movie fan, or a fan of any of the actors in the movie (Douglas, Menjou). A powerful, raw, real movie everyone has to see!

An unforgettable film!
This is one the finest works of Stanley Kubrick. There are few movies in the cinema story so shocking like this. The nasty human condition and the greed of a General makes he sents a command under Kirk Douglas's service to a real suicide. It's imposible reach the desired goal.
To save his reputation they are sent to a jury arguing cowardy .
This is a heavyweight anti war movie. Kirk Douglas in one of his most powerful roles in his career.
A cult movie!
A must in your collection.