To reflect on some of the current events in the world today, the Bowdoin Film Society has chosen to show the powerful anti-war film Paths of Glory (1957).
This war film was adapted from the novel by Humphrey Cobb and was directed by the great Stanley Kubrick. This was only Kubrick's second major studio production, but it establishes him as one of the most brilliant and recognizable filmmakers of the century. Among Kubrick's many classics are other war movies such as Dr. Strangelove (1964) and Full Metal Jacket (1987). He also directed the film shown on campus for Valentine's Day, Lolita (1962).
Kubrick began his career as a still photographer, which is apparent in his films as his shots are always well-composed and carefully constructed. As a student, he received bad grades so his father gave him a camera to spark some interest in him and also got him hooked on chess. We can see especially in films like Paths of Glory how he uses chess as a motif to emphasize important themes.
Paths of Glory takes place on the battlefield during World War I amidst the struggle between France and Germany. The film takes the perspective of the French and accurately portrays the dangers of trench warfare and the devastation of war. The story's main character, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) is ordered to make an impossible attack against the German army because it will earn his superior, General Mireau (George Macready), a promotion. Despite Dax's better judgment, the order goes through and the attack fails. Mireau randomly assigns three soldiers to take the blame for the defeat by charge of cowardice, punishable by death. Dax decides to defend the three men at the trial, risking the General's reputation and his own.
This film exposes the underlying agendas of a corrupt military bureaucracy and the casualties of what becomes political warfare. Both on the battlefield and on the homeland, the film is expressively anti-war, questioning both the motives for such measures and the circumstances under which the decisions are made. The films looks at humanity and what it means to kill enemies versus members of one's own army for personal glory.
The scene to look out for is the trial of the three innocent soldiers, which takes place in a beautiful chateau with large paintings and a floor painted to resemble a chessboard. It is here that we witness Kubrick's mastery of the camera and his clever chess motif, in which the three soldiers act as pawns, caught in the middle of a bureaucratic battle of words.
Paths of Glory (1957) will be showing in Smith Auditorium in Sills Hall on Friday and Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. We encourage all those interested in war politics and the situation in Iraq to watch this film and share your ideas. We hope you enjoy!