Overview
A gripping portrayal of the absurdity of war and the struggle for justice.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- austere
- bleak
- harrowing
- serious film discussion
- classic cinema viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard Stanley Kubrick's concise anti-war drama as a powerful, formally controlled indictment of military injustice and authoritarian leadership.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The French command condemns soldiers for retreating from an impossible assault while protecting the generals who ordered it.
Tracking shots through muddy trenches are set against symmetrical, opulent command interiors, making class and power visible.
The failed attack leads directly into a court-martial in which Colonel Dax contests the army's charges and procedures.
Generals pursue prestige through a suicidal operation while ordinary soldiers bear the physical and legal consequences.
Films like Paths of Glory, and why
All Quiet on the Western Front
shares an anti-war perspective, trench combat, moral anguish, and institutional critique of military leadership
The Grand Illusion
shares a World War I setting, fatalistic battlefield realism, and condemnation of military hierarchy
A Few Good Men
shares a courtroom-centered military drama, institutional injustice, and moral opposition to authoritarian command
Full Metal Jacket
shares Kubrick's austere visual control, anti-war themes, and scrutiny of bureaucratic power
Movie Details
- Director
- Stanley Kubrick
- Release Date
- 1957-10-25
- Runtime
- 88 min
- Rating
- 8.3 / 10 (3391)
Cast
- Kirk Douglas
- Ralph Meeker
- Adolphe Menjou
- George Macready
- Wayne Morris
- Richard Anderson
- Joe Turkel
- Christiane Kubrick
- Jerry Hausner
- Peter Capell
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- YouTube TV, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel, TCM
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Paths of Glory about?
- A principled French colonel confronts the military hierarchy after soldiers are punished for surviving an impossible World War I assault.
- What is Paths of Glory like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paths of Glory as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Paths of Glory violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Paths of Glory as moderate.
- What did critics think of Paths of Glory?
- Critics broadly regard Stanley Kubrick's concise anti-war drama as a powerful, formally controlled indictment of military injustice and authoritarian leadership.
- Which films are like Paths of Glory?
- Films with a similar feel include All Quiet on the Western Front, The Grand Illusion, A Few Good Men, and Full Metal Jacket.
- How long is Paths of Glory?
- Paths of Glory runs 88 minutes.
- Where can I watch Paths of Glory?
- In United States, Paths of Glory streams on YouTube TV, MUBI, MUBI Amazon Channel, TCM.
