In 1916, during World War I, French General Brouillard ordered General Miro to launch a suicide attack against an impregnable German position nicknamed “La Fourmilière”. Hundreds of soldiers fell during the attack.
But part of the army did not leave the trenches: their officers were killed at the beginning of the attack. Wounded, General Miro orders fire on his own troops.
Finally a compromise was found: the soldiers chosen by lot were shot “for example”. Colonel Dax, who himself attacked the Ant at the head of 8,000 men, a former lawyer in civilian life, provides protection for the soldiers who went to the military council…
Four years before Spartacus, the first collaboration between Stanley Kubrick and Kirk Douglas had already produced an absolute masterpiece, arguably the best WWI film ever: Trails of Glory.
Kubrick cites, among other things, the Suen Corporals case, in which General Reveillac allegedly had his own regiment refuse to leave the trenches during an impossible attack, until four corporals were shot dead on March 17, 1915. Rehabilitation until 1934.
Unlike a classic war movie, we never see the enemy. Here the opposition is not between two camps, but between the officers and soldiers of the same camp; Some play promotions, like the cruel General Miro, others like their lives like these unfortunate people who were shot “for example”.
And in the middle: men like Colonel Dax (very much played by Douglas), certainly impetuous and impetuous, but idealistic and deeply human. Without demagoguery or Manichaeism, without attacking the inexorable and changing mechanisms of military justice, Kubrick’s film is also a powerful vector of timeless and universal values such as peace, justice and equality.
67 years after its release, the show remains as brilliant and relentless as ever. Especially thanks to Kubrick’s work on front, back and side tracking shots.
Below, an excerpt from the incredible ant attack sequence, an extraordinary scene from the film. Poilus’ faces are closed, serious, the tension and fear extreme. An attack is imminent…
In the now very prolific production of films based on the Great War of 14-18, Paths of Fame Rightly remains elusive and offers Kirk Douglas one of the biggest roles of his storied career. To view or re-watch on Amazon Prime.
Source: Allocine

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.