30 years before Full Metal Jacket, Stanley Kubrick created a war movie masterpiece

During his huge career, Stanley Kubrick directed several war films, two of which became classics of the seventh art: Full Metal Jacket and Trails of Glory. While the latter is often less regarded than the former, it still remains a pure masterpiece.

• Want another TV tip tonight? We recommend the best James Bond rated 4.2 out of 5

It was made in 1957 and then released in theaters in 1975. Paths of Fame The action takes place in 1916, during the First World War. It is in this dire context that French General Brouillard (played by Adolphe Menjou) orders General Miro (played by George Macready) to launch a suicide attack against Germany’s impregnable position: “The Ant”.

Colonel Dax leads this operation, which turns into a disaster. For example, General Miró decides to execute three “poilus”. The character of Colonel Dax, expertly played by Kirk Douglas, pays homage to the injustice of the military hierarchy, which is willing to sacrifice men.

A monument to war films

Paths of Fame is an adaptation of Humphrey Cobb’s 1935 novel of the same name. Stanley KubrickWho in his youth was deeply affected by this book, his respect was obvious.

And the least we can say is that the American filmmaker was right to listen to himself! Because after eighteen years of bad reviews in France (soldiers and veterans saw it as a direct criticism of the French army during World War I) the film. Paths of Fame Finally got the expected success.

Due to exceptional performance Kirk DouglasRealistic trial scenes and one of the most beautiful execution sequences, considered a masterpiece of war movies today. Because what really sets it apart from other feature films in this genre is that it never reveals the enemy. A bias that makes this film unique.

Rated 4.6 out of 5 by the press and 4.4 out of 5 by internet users, Paths of Fame It is therefore one of the greatest war films ever made.

Among the best comments posted on AlloCiné we can read: “Another pearl of the 7th art Stanley Kubrick“, “A monumental film, both poignant and politically powerful, that never forgets to be a true formal masterpiece” or “Kirk Douglas In an intense, moving film shot with extraordinary masterful brilliance. Everything is said!

Tonight at Arte at 20:55.