Amazon Prime viewers can now stream what many consider the greatest war film ever made. Paths of Glory, directed by Stanley Kubrick in 1957, is an anti-war masterpiece that has earned critical acclaim for decades.
The film stars Kirk Douglas alongside Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou, George Macready, Wayne Morris, and Richard Anderson. It was adapted from a screenplay co-written by Kubrick, Calder Willingham, and Jim Thompson.
Plot Synopsis
Set during World War I, the story follows General Broulard, who orders General Mireau to attack a heavily fortified German trench. Mireau, promised a promotion, commands Colonel Dax to plan the attack. When the mission inevitably fails, Mireau demands a court-martial of three random soldiers to cover his own incompetence.
Critical Acclaim
Paths of Glory topped Time Out's list of the 50 best war films of all time. It also ranked higher than Saving Private Ryan on Vulture's list of the 50 greatest war movies ever made. The film boasts a 96% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the consensus calling it a transcendentally humane war movie with impressive battle sequences and a knockout ending.
- One critic described it as an absolute masterpiece.
- Another called it an eye-opening, thought-provoking, powerful war picture.
- A reviewer wrote: arguably the greatest antiwar film ever made, it feels like a mule kick to the stomach no matter how many times seen.
- Audience reviewers praise it as one of the best war films and the best look at military justice.
- It is considered Kubrick's most emotionally driven film, with beautiful cinematography and one of the greatest endings of all time.
Paths of Glory is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
