New Documntary about WW1 classic film "Paths of Glory:

[Guest anatomyfilm]

Annoucing a recently finished documentary about Stanley Kubrick's war classic - Paths of Glory

Winston Churchill said this stark and beautiful 1957 film was the most realistic depiction of the great war he had seen. This was the picture that put Kubrick on the map.

Adapted from a novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb, Paths of Glory is based loosely on actual events during World War I. It depicts the attempt and aftermath of a futile assault by the French army to take an impregnable German position. The attack quickly devolves into a rout and the refusal of some of the French troops to leave their trenches. The decision to launch the attack is based on political and personal motives instead of military considerations and, rather than admit their folly, the generals responsible call for the court martial and execution of three soldiers for cowardice. A scathing indictment of bureaucratic corruption and authoritative abuse; the film was banned from French screens for almost 20 years.

The documentary titled, Anatomy of a Film, deepens audience understanding and appreciation for the craft and art of film-making by combining the subjects of production, technique and aesthetics with historical perspective. The result is a detailed and enjoyable analysis of an indisputably great film.

DVDs and other material are now available exclusively through an fund raising website, indiegogo.com/anatomy

Thank you,

David Spodak

[Hedley Malloch]

The movie was banned in France for about 20 years.

It is increasingly being recognised as an art-work, as well as a movie on the follies of wars run by corrupt and incompetent organisations. Last year I saw clips from the movie featured in an exhibition at the Secession, Vienna's leading Modern Art gallery. Very impressive.

[paulgranger]

It's a marvellous film, one of Kubrick's best. If I have a criticism, it's the machine-gun sound effects during the attack, but that's carping. I am always profoundly moved by the sequence in the trench as the attack is about to get underway, as Kirk Douglas strides through, totally focused on his actions, to mount the trench ladder in time to be on the parapet as zero hour is reached. The implicit bravery in that, and the realisation that that's what hundreds of junior offices and NCOs actually did , is overwhelming.

[Guest exuser1]

A superb movie which i feel set the bench mark for movies on the GW which as never been surpassed , intrestingly it was also banned on US Army military installations ,my DVD copy was picked up over here in a series run by a French Magazine about War Movies , also the actor who plays the cowardly French officer who leaves his lads in no mans land was a decorated WW2 vet !