Seadog Posted 10 February , 2008 Posted 10 February , 2008 For those of you not gainfully employed and contributing to the wealth of the nation, or for whatever reason are home on Thursday 14th February, Channel Four are broadcasting that excellent WW1 film, “Paths of Glory” starring Kirk Douglas. Starts at 13.10. Norman
armourersergeant Posted 10 February , 2008 Posted 10 February , 2008 Rather a apt film to put on on Valentines day! Are they suggesting that getting married/romantically tied etc is equal to a firing squad. You decide as they say Arm
Ross Barnwell Posted 13 February , 2008 Posted 13 February , 2008 Oh fantastic! I find it really difficult to find WW1 films. I've only managed to find Gallipolli and All Quiet on the Western Front. Cheers for this!
PhilB Posted 13 February , 2008 Posted 13 February , 2008 Glad we didn`t have any generals like those portrayed by Adolph Menjou & George Macready. Er ...did we?
SiegeGunner Posted 13 February , 2008 Posted 13 February , 2008 Thanks for the heads-up, Norman - a good opportunity to record it for later viewing.
Steven Broomfield Posted 13 February , 2008 Posted 13 February , 2008 QUOTE (Phil_B @ Feb 13 2008, 12:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Glad we didn`t have any generals like those portrayed by Adolph Menjou & George Macready. Er ...did we? Stop it Mind you, a bottle of champagne, a box of chocs and Kirk Douglas...it might work!
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 13 February , 2008 Posted 13 February , 2008 Don't forget the French accents!
per ardua per mare per terram Posted 14 February , 2008 Posted 14 February , 2008 My ribs are tickled Mick! Oh and it was good to see a WWI in this season.
Heid the Ba Posted 14 February , 2008 Posted 14 February , 2008 Mrs B says it was my Kirk Douglas like dimple that won her over . . .
cockney tone Posted 14 February , 2008 Posted 14 February , 2008 Pal's, only caught the last half an hour or so, does anybody know if it was based on fact at all? or purely fictional? Cheers, Scottie.
PhilB Posted 14 February , 2008 Posted 14 February , 2008 Quote:- "Paths of Glory is based loosely on the true story of four French soldiers, under General Géraud Réveilhac, executed for mutiny during World War I; their families sued, and while the executions were ruled unfair, two of the families received one franc each, while the others received nothing." The source of the title is interesting:- "Paths of Glory (1957) is a black and white film by Stanley Kubrick based on the novel of the same name by Humphrey Cobb. The book had no title when it was finished, so the publisher held a contest. The winning entry came from the ninth stanza of the famous Thomas Gray poem Elegy Written in a Country Church-yard." 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.
Seadog Posted 14 February , 2008 Author Posted 14 February , 2008 Many thanks for the info Phil. In my opinion this is one of the very best WW1 and indeed "War" films ever made. I think that Kirk Douglas gives a superb performance as do all of the cast. When you consider that the events are portrayed in an uncompromising way plus the fact it is shot in black & white just seems to add to its overall impact. The scenes of the injured Poilu strapped to a stretcher and then shot is very moving. I wonder if there is the will and talent out there today which can equal this. Norman
PhilB Posted 15 February , 2008 Posted 15 February , 2008 The scene of the girl singing at the end is very powerful.
Staffsyeoman Posted 15 February , 2008 Posted 15 February , 2008 QUOTE (Phil_B @ Feb 15 2008, 09:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The scene of the girl singing at the end is very powerful. Clearly. The director married her later! (Christiane Kubrick, credited as "Susanne Christiane") I still think it's one of the best recreations of a trench put on screen (allowing for the necessary steps to get the cameras in!) as well as one of the best war films ever made. Banned in France for 20 years after it was made, and in Spain for thirty!
Seadog Posted 15 February , 2008 Author Posted 15 February , 2008 The info from the Pals just gets better and better. I agree with all of your comments and I think a particular strong point in the film is the way the camera tracks the attack on the "Ant Hill" making the viewers feel that they are involved in the action. I suppose that the real reason for the success of the film is that it has all of the essential components, strong story, great actors, superb direction and empathy for the subject. Just proves that you do not need CGI, blood and guts etc to produce a landmark piece that is as true to the subject as this film undoubtedly is. Norman
Staffsyeoman Posted 15 February , 2008 Posted 15 February , 2008 Naah, it's dead easy. All you need is a genius directing, like Kubrick Walk in the park.
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