The ending with the German girl singing, joined by the French troops, is Kubrick's way of signalling to the audience that the men and the woman share the same helpless fate. Unable to control what happens to their own lives, at the mercy of powers beyond their control, they share a song because they cannot scream "no." In essence, they are victims all.
Interesting perspective. My take is that Kubrick wanted to tell us that these men, killers all, have suffered horrible defeat, death and now punishment, but underneath it all they are still human beings capable of empathy.
Paths of Glory is a quote from the poem Elegy in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Grey, and the full line goes : "The paths of glory lead but to the grave".
This film was made because of Kirk Douglas. He badgered Kubrick until he agreed to make this film. Kirk Douglas thought that the making of this film was that important. It is about an attack in WW1. The attack on The Anthill with the men in the trenches and Dax going down the line with shell explosions going off all around is in my own opinion one of the most realistic film portrayals I have ever seen, as was going over the top. Having talked to WW1 veterans in my youth, they too thought that it was realistic, but the veterans noted that they made a few mistakes. First, to prevent groups of men being slaughtered especially by shell fire, the men would go over the top in waves. Second, nobody would ever stay in the trenches after the whistle is blown. Why? A sergeant would walk the trench line with a revolver after all the men have gone over the top with orders to shoot anyone remaining in the trench. No court marshal or anything else. Immediate execution. The lady singer at the conclusion of the film is in actual fact Kubrick's wife. The feeling of the men humming along and weeping was very moving. The British attempted to take control of the Australian army in WW1 so that they could meet out punishments such as these. The Australian Army General Staff refused that request, and did not ever shoot Australian soldiers for cowardice in WW1. They took the attitude that enough of their men were being killed by the Germans without them doing it as well.
The scene of the German girl singing and being joined by the French soldiers reminded me of the true story of the 1914 WW1 Christmas (eve) truce between the German and British troops that happened on a battlefield in No Man's Land. If you're not familiar, google it. Uplifting as well as heartbreaking.
From Kirk Douglas' autobiography "The Ragman's Son": I met the director, Stanley Kubrick. He said he had a script called PATHS OF GLORY. I read the script and fell in love with it. "Stanley, I don't think this picture will ever make a nickel, but we HAVE to make it." I got financing. It wasn't easy. When I arrived in Munich, I was greeted with a completely rewritten script. "Stanley, did you write this?" "Yes." "Stanley, why would you do that?" He very calmly said, "To make it commercial. I want to make money." I hit the ceiling. "You come to me with a script. I love THAT script. I got the money, based on THAT script. Not this shit!" I threw the script across the room. "We're going back to the original script, or we're not making the picture."
You remind me of Darryl Zanuck's decision to make "The Ox-Bow Incident": "It won't make a dime," he told William Wellman, who would direct it, "but I want my name on it." And aren't we glad that he did.
The singer is Christianne Harlan a german actress who was Kubrick's wife from 1958 until his death in 1999. The story is based on a newspaper article about 5 French soldiers who were executed for mutiny in 1915 and both them and their widows were "pardonned" in 1934. Wonderful reaction guys, the way you listen to the dialogue and your comments throughout the movie and at the end were really great.
The title of the movie is from the poem "Elegy in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Grey, published in 1751. "The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r, And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave, Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour. The paths of glory lead but to the grave." Maj. General James Wolfe is said to have spoken of this stanza a few hours before his death at the Plains of Abraham in 1759 saying, "I had rather written those lines than take Quebec".
That going into No Mans land, my grandfather had to do in Gallipoli in WWI for the British Army. He was a sergeant and they were issued with pistols and grenades. After crawling around looking for Turkish soldier to take prisoner he heard lots of Turkish voices. So he told his team to head back to the British trenches. He told my Dad he shit himself but only a little bit.
holy crap, you guys are in the right neighborhood: "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950) - a seriously excellent crime caper "The Red Badge of Courage" is a 1951 American civil war film
Now you would understand why I describe "Chernobyl" as a "Paths Of Glory" story! :P Fantastic reaction. Loved your analysis of the title. Hey: you've seen most of Kubrick's movies (he doesn't have many). Here's what you're missing, and they're all masterpieces: "The Killing" - his first, great heist movie, influential on Tarantino. "Spartacus" - his only time helming a Hollywood blockbuster epic and he does a solid job. "Lolita" - unbelievably brilliant. "Barry Lyndon" - 18th century period piece, it's literally like watching moving paintings. and "Full Metal Jacket" - the first half of that movie is Kubrick's last masterpiece in my opinion! If you watch ANY of those movies, believe me, we'll all watch 'em. They're Kubrick! And they're Kubrick masterpieces. Is there any other kind? Certainly "Paths Of Glory" is one of his greatest. The only Kubrick movie I've never heard a bad word about.
Stephen King, who had his Kubrick issues after the release of "The Shining," has his character Holly Gibney in *The Outsider* mention that she's watching "Paths of Glory" and that she prefers the earlier Kubrick. For my money, "Paths of Glory" and "The Killing" are Kubrick films for people who don't think they'll like Kubrick. Ideally, those who see them will then move on to the more ambitious work and see their glories. The three victims are Ralph Meeker (Mike Hammer in "Kiss Me Deadly"), Timothy Carey (who's in "The Killing") and Joe Turkel (who's also in "The Killing" and is the manufacturer of androids in "Blade Runner").
I assume Lewis’s (sp?) wife had the twins so please send on congrats!! Can’t wait for you three to bring back more Yellowjackets once the babies settle in ♥️
Not just a powerful antiwar movie but also an antimilitary leadership movie. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". Wouldn't you like to see those generals attack No Mans Land? Its loosely based on true story of four Souian corporals (French) executed in 1915 and the story was hushed up; they were posthumously exonerated in 1934. WW1 had so many fruitless battles like this in which hundreds of thousands of soldiers died. The movie was banned in parts of Europe, esp France, until the 70s. US militaey also banned it. In 1992 it was preserved in the Library of Congress. And the German barmaid was played by Kubrick's wife.
The General took the job because he wanted a promotion. Dax took the job because he didn't want to leave his men to take it on without him. BIG difference.
Nobody counts Fear And Desire and Killer's Kiss, least of all Kubrick. You couldn't even see those movies until after he died. His first REAL movie was "The Killing". The others were basically the equivalent of student films.
A French WW 1 Regiment was upwards of 3000 men, but after prolonged contact with the enemy it could be roughly 1/3rd that. So between 500-1500 men dying to take the Ant Hill. WW 1 Trench combat was crazy. You could not stick your head above the trenches when it was light out for longer than a second without dying. Even at night a hand holding a cigarette above the trench would be shot. Many men actually did this to get sent home. Kubrick ended up marrying that German girl that sang.
I highly recommend “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They.” 1969 about the dance marathons of the 30s. I think you guys would really get into it and have a lot to say. Give it a shot.
The film Kubrick made just before this was The Killing- a noir-ish heist film starring Sterling Hayden (Gen. Ripper from Dr. Strangelove.) Recommended.
The soldiers are French; the woman is German. In the war they are enemies. But this is a break -- they are men and she is female. The scene transcends the hostilities of war.
Great reaction and commentary. Paths of Glory is my 2nd favorite Stanley Kubrick film only behind 2001:A Space Odyssey. I wish more people reacted to this masterpiece.
I do subscribe to the views expressed VERY clearly in the film (that war is hell and that gross injustices are inevitable under those conditions given the weaknesses of human institutions and the flaws of individual people in them). But I don't find much sense of ambiguity in Kubrick's war films, including this one (outside the final scene with the terrified German girl): we are led to divide the characters into stereotypical heroes and villains and (without thought or hesitation) cheer for the former and condemn the latter. It's a cheap thrill - though I couldn't help but climbing on board for every bit of it.
I think you men misinterpret that fabulous last scene a little bit; there were catcalls (as you'd expect for men in that situation) but I don't think they were ever going to violate her in any way. Also, a small detail you missed (you were talking to each other as it happened) was Lt. Roget apologizing to Paris after he offers him a blindfold. I took it as sincere but, of course, still too little too late.
@@anrun I mean one would expect plenty of men “in that situation” to intend to violate her. It doesn’t mean they would, and it’s not all clearly. Apart from the intent of the scene, if we’re going with realism, and accept that they would be catcalling a woman due to their “circumstances”…
@@NoelleMar If any of them had attacked her, they wouldn't have been doing so in secret. I don't think the French army (or any of the others in WW1) would have tolerated that kind of behavior in that situation, even if the woman was German.
Great movie. I realize it’s a reaction video but these guys talked way too much. They’re back and forth stepped on some of the best dialogue and plot points. Save the discussion for the end.
The ending with the German girl singing, joined by the French troops, is Kubrick's way of signalling to the audience that the men and the woman share the same helpless fate. Unable to control what happens to their own lives, at the mercy of powers beyond their control, they share a song because they cannot scream "no." In essence, they are victims all.
Beautifully said.
Interesting perspective. My take is that Kubrick wanted to tell us that these men, killers all, have suffered horrible defeat, death and now punishment, but underneath it all they are still human beings capable of empathy.
i've seen this film countless times, and that last scene, seeing it, or describing it, or thinking about it, makes me weep every. single. time.
Paths of Glory is a quote from the poem Elegy in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Grey, and the full line goes : "The paths of glory lead but to the grave".
This film was made because of Kirk Douglas. He badgered Kubrick until he agreed to make this film. Kirk Douglas thought that the making of this film was that important. It is about an attack in WW1.
The attack on The Anthill with the men in the trenches and Dax going down the line with shell explosions going off all around is in my own opinion one of the most realistic film portrayals I have ever seen, as was going over the top. Having talked to WW1 veterans in my youth, they too thought that it was realistic, but the veterans noted that they made a few mistakes. First, to prevent groups of men being slaughtered especially by shell fire, the men would go over the top in waves. Second, nobody would ever stay in the trenches after the whistle is blown. Why? A sergeant would walk the trench line with a revolver after all the men have gone over the top with orders to shoot anyone remaining in the trench. No court marshal or anything else. Immediate execution.
The lady singer at the conclusion of the film is in actual fact Kubrick's wife. The feeling of the men humming along and weeping was very moving.
The British attempted to take control of the Australian army in WW1 so that they could meet out punishments such as these. The Australian Army General Staff refused that request, and did not ever shoot Australian soldiers for cowardice in WW1. They took the attitude that enough of their men were being killed by the Germans without them doing it as well.
The scene of the German girl singing and being joined by the French soldiers reminded me of the true story of the 1914 WW1 Christmas (eve) truce between the German and British troops that happened on a battlefield in No Man's Land. If you're not familiar, google it. Uplifting as well as heartbreaking.
From Kirk Douglas' autobiography "The Ragman's Son": I met the director, Stanley Kubrick. He said he had a script called PATHS OF GLORY. I read the script and fell in love with it. "Stanley, I don't think this picture will ever make a nickel, but we HAVE to make it." I got financing. It wasn't easy. When I arrived in Munich, I was greeted with a completely rewritten script. "Stanley, did you write this?" "Yes." "Stanley, why would you do that?" He very calmly said, "To make it commercial. I want to make money." I hit the ceiling. "You come to me with a script. I love THAT script. I got the money, based on THAT script. Not this shit!" I threw the script across the room. "We're going back to the original script, or we're not making the picture."
You remind me of Darryl Zanuck's decision to make "The Ox-Bow Incident":
"It won't make a dime," he told William Wellman, who would direct it, "but I want my name on it."
And aren't we glad that he did.
"War makes rattling good history/but peace is poor reading." -- Thomas Hardy, *The Dynasts*
Thank you for reviewing this. It is one of my favorite war films and completely underrated.
The singer is Christianne Harlan a german actress who was Kubrick's wife from 1958 until his death in 1999. The story is based on a newspaper article about 5 French soldiers who were executed for mutiny in 1915 and both them and their widows were "pardonned" in 1934. Wonderful reaction guys, the way you listen to the dialogue and your comments throughout the movie and at the end were really great.
The title of the movie is from the poem "Elegy in a Country Churchyard" by Thomas Grey, published in 1751.
"The boast of heraldry, the pomp of pow’r,
And all that beauty, all that wealth e’er gave,
Awaits alike th’ inevitable hour.
The paths of glory lead but to the grave."
Maj. General James Wolfe is said to have spoken of this stanza a few hours before his death at the Plains of Abraham in 1759 saying, "I had rather written those lines than take Quebec".
That going into No Mans land, my grandfather had to do in Gallipoli in WWI for the British Army. He was a sergeant and they were issued with pistols and grenades. After crawling around looking for Turkish soldier to take prisoner he heard lots of Turkish voices. So he told his team to head back to the British trenches. He told my Dad he shit himself but only a little bit.
holy crap, you guys are in the right neighborhood: "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950) - a seriously excellent crime caper
"The Red Badge of Courage" is a 1951 American civil war film
The last scene is all about humanity, No matter what country you're from or what uniform you are wearing.
Now you would understand why I describe "Chernobyl" as a "Paths Of Glory" story! :P Fantastic reaction. Loved your analysis of the title. Hey: you've seen most of Kubrick's movies (he doesn't have many). Here's what you're missing, and they're all masterpieces: "The Killing" - his first, great heist movie, influential on Tarantino. "Spartacus" - his only time helming a Hollywood blockbuster epic and he does a solid job. "Lolita" - unbelievably brilliant. "Barry Lyndon" - 18th century period piece, it's literally like watching moving paintings. and "Full Metal Jacket" - the first half of that movie is Kubrick's last masterpiece in my opinion! If you watch ANY of those movies, believe me, we'll all watch 'em. They're Kubrick! And they're Kubrick masterpieces. Is there any other kind? Certainly "Paths Of Glory" is one of his greatest. The only Kubrick movie I've never heard a bad word about.
@tictocmelody9190 The french do not like it, I guess it is not always easy to look at yourself in the mirror.
Stephen King, who had his Kubrick issues after the release of "The Shining," has his character Holly Gibney in *The Outsider* mention that she's watching "Paths of Glory" and that she prefers the earlier Kubrick.
For my money, "Paths of Glory" and "The Killing" are Kubrick films for people who don't think they'll like Kubrick. Ideally, those who see them will then move on to the more ambitious work and see their glories.
The three victims are Ralph Meeker (Mike Hammer in "Kiss Me Deadly"), Timothy Carey (who's in "The Killing") and Joe Turkel (who's also in "The Killing" and is the manufacturer of androids in "Blade Runner").
Another superb film about WW1, trench warfare, etc is “Gallipoli. (1981) directed by award winning Peter Weir. It includes a spectacular soundtrack.
Kirk Douglas is using what was called a “trench whistle” that was used because voice commands could never be heard in those situations.
I assume Lewis’s (sp?) wife had the twins so please send on congrats!! Can’t wait for you three to bring back more Yellowjackets once the babies settle in ♥️
Not just a powerful antiwar movie but also an antimilitary leadership movie. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely". Wouldn't you like to see those generals attack No Mans Land? Its loosely based on true story of four Souian corporals (French) executed in 1915 and the story was hushed up; they were posthumously exonerated in 1934. WW1 had so many fruitless battles like this in which hundreds of thousands of soldiers died. The movie was banned in parts of Europe, esp France, until the 70s. US militaey also banned it. In 1992 it was preserved in the Library of Congress. And the German barmaid was played by Kubrick's wife.
Great, great reaction and review for a truly spectacular film. Thanks for watching one of the classics!
The General took the job because he wanted a promotion. Dax took the job because he didn't want to leave his men to take it on without him. BIG difference.
Kubrick's depiction of the military remains consistent from 'Paths of Glory' to 'Dr. Strangelove' to 'Full Metal Jacket'.
This is Kubrick's fourth movie after "Fear and Desire," "Killer's Kiss" and "The Killing."
Nobody counts Fear And Desire and Killer's Kiss, least of all Kubrick. You couldn't even see those movies until after he died. His first REAL movie was "The Killing". The others were basically the equivalent of student films.
One of the best anti war movies ever.
The young german girl at the end was married to Stanley Kubrick until his death.
Another commenter mentioned a great WW1 film based on a true and likewise powerful event - the title is Joyeux Noel (2005.)
A French WW 1 Regiment was upwards of 3000 men, but after prolonged contact with the enemy it could be roughly 1/3rd that. So between 500-1500 men dying to take the Ant Hill.
WW 1 Trench combat was crazy. You could not stick your head above the trenches when it was light out for longer than a second without dying. Even at night a hand holding a cigarette above the trench would be shot. Many men actually did this to get sent home.
Kubrick ended up marrying that German girl that sang.
I highly recommend “They Shoot Horses, Don’t They.” 1969 about the dance marathons of the 30s. I think you guys would really get into it and have a lot to say. Give it a shot.
The defendants are simply chess pieces in Kubrick's view. The white and black squares in the floor.
The greatest battle scene ever filmed.
Kubrick Married the Actress who sang to the French Troops at the end!
Love this movie, thanks for the review!!!!
Paths of Glory aka The Absurdity of War.
The film Kubrick made just before this was The Killing- a noir-ish heist film starring Sterling Hayden (Gen. Ripper from Dr. Strangelove.) Recommended.
This was based on a real incident, years later they were pardoned.
The soldiers are French; the woman is German. In the war they are enemies. But this is a break -- they are men and she is female. The scene transcends the hostilities of war.
Great reaction and commentary. Paths of Glory is my 2nd favorite Stanley Kubrick film only behind 2001:A Space Odyssey. I wish more people reacted to this masterpiece.
I do subscribe to the views expressed VERY clearly in the film (that war is hell and that gross injustices are inevitable under those conditions given the weaknesses of human institutions and the flaws of individual people in them).
But I don't find much sense of ambiguity in Kubrick's war films, including this one (outside the final scene with the terrified German girl): we are led to divide the characters into stereotypical heroes and villains and (without thought or hesitation) cheer for the former and condemn the latter.
It's a cheap thrill - though I couldn't help but climbing on board for every bit of it.
The story is loosely based on an actual case when 4 soldiers were executed in France - altho they were exonerated in 1934.
The setting is France and French military.
Hello, you have selected a visual masterpiece. Hope that you enjoy it.
One of the greatest Anti-war movies ever made. Sorry you missed it.
the french army shot hundreds of shell shocked and innocent soldiers to make an example
Fellini please!
Hello, this would be WW I.
This is WW1 - not 2.
It was WW1.
I think you men misinterpret that fabulous last scene a little bit; there were catcalls (as you'd expect for men in that situation) but I don't think they were ever going to violate her in any way. Also, a small detail you missed (you were talking to each other as it happened) was Lt. Roget apologizing to Paris after he offers him a blindfold. I took it as sincere but, of course, still too little too late.
@@anrun I mean one would expect plenty of men “in that situation” to intend to violate her. It doesn’t mean they would, and it’s not all clearly. Apart from the intent of the scene, if we’re going with realism, and accept that they would be catcalling a woman due to their “circumstances”…
@@NoelleMar If any of them had attacked her, they wouldn't have been doing so in secret. I don't think the French army (or any of the others in WW1) would have tolerated that kind of behavior in that situation, even if the woman was German.
Great movie. I realize it’s a reaction video but these guys talked way too much. They’re back and forth stepped on some of the best dialogue and plot points. Save the discussion for the end.