Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.0

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov September 18, 2016

Stanley Kubrick's "Paths of Glory" (1957) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment. The supplemental features on the disc include an original trailer for the film; new video interview with film scholar Peter Kramer; new video interview with dierctor Richard Ayoade; new video interview with critic and author Richard Combs; new audio commentary with film scholar Adrian Martin; and more. The release also arrives with an illustrated booklet featuring the words of Stanley Kubrick, and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Colonel Dax

Stanley Kubrick’s Paths of Glory is a war film with strong anti-war sentiments. It is based on Humphrey Cobb’s popular novel, which tells the story of five French soldiers charged with mutiny and executed during World War I. Director Kubrick bought the rights to the novel from Cobb’s widow for $10,000, and shot Paths of Glory for under $1 million. The film was released in the United States in 1957, but it was banned in France and Spain (the French government eventually allowed the film to be screened in 1975, while in Spain the film remained banned until 1986).

France 1916. Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas, The Bad and the Beautiful, The Arrangement) a respected division leader, is ordered to attack Anthill, a strategic German stronghold. It is a suicide mission and everyone knows it – except General Paul Mireau (George Macready, Gilda), who dreams of capturing Anthill and earning himself a promotion.

Colonel Dax leads his men during the attack of Anthill but most of them are annihilated by heavy machine gun fire before they could reach the German positions. Upon witnessing the massacre, an entire company, which should provided support to Colonel Dax’s men, remains in the trenches. Angered by the news that the attack isn’t producing the result he had hoped for, General Mireau orders the artillery to shell the men in the trenches. But a brave officer (John Stein) refuses to obey the order and the attack of Anthill fails. and a court-martial gathered.

General George Broulard (Adolphe Menjou, The Front Page), a close friend of General Mireau, suggests that a dozen soldiers are tried by court-martial to set an example. Colonel Dax sarcastically offers that the entire division is punished, or at least its leader, which would be him. Realizing the absurdity of the situation, General Broulard asks that only three soldiers are selected to appear before the court-martial. A former lawyer, Colonel Dax volunteers to defend them.

The trial is a disgrace. Despite Colonel Dax’s attempts to convince the court that the soldiers are innocent and therefore should not be punished, they are quickly found guilty and sentenced to death.

Great anti-war films typically emphasize the fact that during war there are no victors. Director Kubrick’s Paths of Glory takes a slightly different approach, exposing the hypocrisy and arrogance of military leaders.

In one of the film’s most powerful scenes, Colonel Dax is seen contemplating General Mireau’s order to attack Anthill. He quietly attempts to explain that the attack won’t produce anything, other than guarantee that his men will be killed in vain. Almost immediately, Colonel Dax’s patriotism and loyalty to France are questioned in a manner that strangely does not feel dated at all, prompting him to quote the great Samuel Johnson: "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel."

The film is characterized by director Kubrick’s favored long continuous shots and extreme close-ups, his camera following men and objects with equal devotion. Additionally, the tension throughout the film is unbearable but never marred by melodrama. Naturally, even the most passionate speeches the main characters deliver feel somewhat restrained.

Douglas is fantastic as the disillusioned Colonel Dax. He fights a battle which he cannot possibly win, but his determination to confront a corrupt regime is what makes Paths of Glory such a fascinating film to behold. Menjou and especially Macready are also very convincing as the coldhearted French generals.

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.66:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p[ transfer, Stanley Kubrick's Paths of Glory arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Eureka Entertainment.

The release appears to have been sourced from the same master that Criterion worked with when they prepared the U.S. release. The film looks quite nice in high-definition. I think that density can be improved, but it depends how good the quality of the existing materials is. Also, I think that scanning technology has evolved quite a bit and a new master will almost certainly produce stronger all-around results. Still, clarity and sharpness range from good to very very good; depth is also pleasing, though I see the same traces of noise corrections here. The blacks and whites appear quite well balanced, while grays have different nuances. Overall image stability is very good. There are no large distracting damage marks, cuts, debris, or torn frames to report. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There is only one standard audio track on this Blu-ray release: English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The lossless track serves the film very well. Indeed, the dialog is stable, always clean and easy to follow. Gerald Fried's dynamic score also shines in all the right places. Occasionally the music could emerge a bit thin, but this is certainly how it was initially recorded. Balances is very good, though some cosmetic adjustments probably can be made. There are no distracting pops, cracks, audio dropouts, or digital distortions to report.

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary - in this brand new audio commentary, film scholar Adrian Martin discusses the production history of Paths of Glory (and specifically why it was quite difficult to sell in certain territories), the main conflicts and themes in the film, the casting choices, the reception of the film, Stanley Kubrick's image at home and abroad, etc. The commentary was recorded exclusively for Eureka Entertainment in 2016.

• Peter Kramer - in this new video interview, film scholar Peter Kramer discusses Stanley Kubrick's career and relationship with producer with James B. Harris, the early stages of Paths of Glory and its rejection by United Artists, the casting of Kirk Douglas and the character he plays, the complicated production history (with interspersing comments about the locations that were chosen in Europe), the film's performance at the box office, etc. The interview was conducted exclusively for Eureka Entertainment in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (15 min).

• Richard Ayoade - in this new video interview, director Richard Ayoade (Submarine) discusses the unique qualities and cinematic style of Paths of Glory. The interview was conducted exclusively for Eureka Entertainment in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (24 min).

• Richard Conbs - in this new video interview, critic and author Richard Combs discusses the visual style and editing of Paths of Glory (the use of light, noirish qualities, etc.), the camera movement, the evolution of Stanley Kubrick's work, etc. The interview was conducted exclusively for Eureka Entertainment in 2016. In English, not subtitled. (10 min).

• Music and Effects Track - presented as LPCM 2.0.

• Trailer - original trailer for Paths of Glory. In English, not subtitled. (3 min).

• Booklet - an illustrated booklet featuring the words of Stanley Kubrick, and more.

Paths of Glory Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Eureka Entertainment's new release of Stanley Kubrick's film Paths of Glory is sourced from the same master that Criterion worked with when they produced their release of the film 2010. However, this release has a number of new supplemental features. If you don't yet have the film in your collections, consider a purchase. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.