Paths of Glory (5/11) Movie CLIP - Closing Argument (1957) HD

CLIP DESCRIPTION:
Col. Dax (Kirk Douglas) begs the court to show mercy to his men and explains the inadequacies of the court for not allowing a fair trial.

FILM DESCRIPTION:
Adapting Humphrey Cobb's novel to the screen, director Stanley Kubrick and his collaborators Calder Willingham and Jim Thompson set out to make a devastating anti-war statement, and they succeeded above and beyond the call of duty. In the third year of World War I, the erudite but morally bankrupt French general Broulard (Adolphe Menjou) orders his troops to seize the heavily fortified "Ant Hill" from the Germans. General Mireau (George MacReady) knows that this action will be suicidal, but he will sacrfice his men to enhance his own reputation. Against his better judgment, Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) leads the charge, and the results are appalling. When, after witnessing the slaughter of their comrades, a handful of the French troops refuse to leave the trenches, Mireau very nearly orders the artillery to fire on his own men. Still smarting from the defeat, Mireau cannot admit to himself that the attack was a bad idea from the outset: he convinces himself that loss of Ant Hill was due to the cowardice of his men. Mireau demands that three soldiers be selected by lot to be executed as an example to rest of the troops. Acting as defense attorney, Colonel Dax pleads eloquently for the lives of the unfortunate three, but their fate is a done deal. Even an eleventh-hour piece of evidence proving Mireau's incompetence is ignored by the smirking Broulard, who is only interested in putting on a show of bravado. A failure when first released (it was banned outright in France for several years), Paths of Glory has since taken its place in the pantheon of classic war movies, its message growing only more pertinent and potent with each passing year (it was especially popular during the Vietnam era).

CREDITS:
TM & © MGM (1957)
Cast: Richard Anderson, Peter Capell, Timothy Carey, Kirk Douglas, George Macready, Ralph Meeker, Joe Turkel
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Producers: James B. Harris, Kirk Douglas, Stanley Kubrick
Screenwriters: Stanley Kubrick, Calder Willingham, Jim Thompson, Humphrey Cobb

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[Tiger]

Gotta say, despite being unable to save his men, he still gave an excellent closing argument on their behalf. The fact that this didn't save his men only showed what a kangaroo court it was.

[EG-stmp]

"Are you protesting the authenticity of this court?"

sir!"

[GlobeTrotterAlpha]

RIP Mr. Douglas. He was a true acting legend!

[elxaime]

The trial was about preserving the myth that the attack was not a useless slaughter and mistake. It was about protecting those in power. The tragedy is how common this is - those with power mold the facts and reality to suit their needs and are willing to sacrifice the interests and even the lives of those with less power than themselves. People with power tell themselves and those around them fables. And so long as they have the power to control information, enough people can be expected to go along. Weep for humanity.

[nickcolbert]

One of Kirk Douglas' best roles and best courtroom scenes in all of film.

[johnbertrand]

Not only one the best anti-war films of all time, but one of the best World War I films of all time. Doesn't skimp on the filth of the trenches or the effect this war had on the front line soldier. Tour de force acting by Douglas and a excellent slimy turn by George Macready as Gen. Mireau.

[MrShaneHardy]

RIP Kirk. One of the great actors of his generation.

[terrorsaur]

I love the echo of the voices. It makes them and the dialogue sound more grand and potent.

[johncswheatley]

I had a flat mate at uni who caused great offence by saying, “the acting is terrible in old films.” I showed him this film and he never made that statement again.

[alexnavas]

Incredible performance. RIP Kirk Douglas

[nickp]

I’m doing a Kubrick marathon right now and out of his first 6, this one is easily the best. None of the others even come close. This one is definitely the most “Kubrick” of his early films.

[Prosperr]

When you are a director and you have crafted this type of movie, you can be very proud.

[jameswhite]

Seen this clip 50 times. Still gives me chills.

[johnottr]

I have seen this movie many times over the years and I think it is one of the best movies ever made. When I bring it up in conversation no one ever heard of it.

[jameswhite]

RIP Kirk Douglas. Who never won an Academy Award. In my humble opinion, this clip alone entitled him to one.

[Caroni]

"The film doesn´transmit any message. In any case is a film in favour or against the army. It´s a film against the war, which can lead men to such conflicts of conscience"

Stanley Kubrick
(1928-1999)

American fim director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor and photographer.

Greetings from Venezuela. 🇻🇪

[arbabmir]

Looks like this was made just yesterday, only that it's black and white. Magnificent acting ability of Kirk Douglas is just something else.

[pangogeeks]

After trying to debate with logic, and seeing zero success, he did the closing argument hoping, at least, to move their consciousness...he overestimated them

[twmax]

A masterful movie. I love Kubrick and all of his films, even his early ones!

[frankgambino]

This was one of his greatest performances.