War! What Is It Good For? Apparently, Extremely Compelling Films…

13. Paths of Glory

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Paths of Glory is the closest the movies will ever get to producing an anti-war statement (though Stanley Kubrick’s trim World War I opus is better qualified as being disdainful of war). One can sense Kubrick’s contempt for his antagonists seething from behind the camera. This also includes a righteous indignation at the unapologetic cowardice of the craven old men who send others off to die on the field of battle. Maybe Paths of Glory isn’t necessarily anti-war, but it is pro-human.