Blu-ray Review: Paths of Glory (Criterion Collection)

If it's Kubrick it must be purchased

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Tuesday, November 2nd 2010 at 2:17 AM

I have not yet seen the whole of Stanley Kubrick's readily available filmography. The one film that eludes me is 1962's Lolita after finally watching Barry Lyndon last December. It wasn't until August 1, 2008 that I finally saw Paths of Glory for the first time, and with each viewing of a Kubrick film the feeling you are watching something special never escapes your conscience. His films are unlike most anything you've seen before and you can tell when today's filmmakers are trying to accomplish something along similar lines. Even earlier this year, Christopher Nolan's Inception was referred to as Kubrickian by indieWire's Anne Thompson and whether you agree or not, it's evident Kubrick's stamp on cinema is one that will be felt throughout the ages.

Kubrick's often discussed as being one of the only directors to tackle all genres, but as noted by his longtime executive producer Jan Harlan on this disc, he may have tackled all genres but nearly all of his films have similar themes. Harlan notes, the difference between his films is "much more form differences, not so much difference in substance, and the substance you detect — almost a common denominator — and that is looking at human folly."

The folly on display in Paths of Glory is tightly knit and extraordinarily intriguing as it begins in France 1916 and moves from the battlefield to a courtroom, utilizing all measures of dramatic tension and resulting in a particularly bleak film. Not only does Criterion's Blu-ray release of the 1957 classic look and sound spectacular, the accompanying features are well worth your time.

Most impressive is the fact nearly all of the features on this disc are brand new. There's a brand new audio commentary by Gary Giddins that is both informative and opinionated. There are several new interviews including the previously mentioned interview with Harlan as well as interview segments with producer James B. Harris and actress Christiane Kubrick whom Kubrick saw and sought out. She was given a role in the film and ultimately became his wife from 1958 until his death in 1999.

Additionally, there's a very short audio interview with Kubrick in which he talks about the film as well as the greatest pleasure it afforded him, meeting his wife. One of the most fascinating extras for me was the inclusion of an interview with Kirk Douglas from a 1979 appearance on BBC's "Parkinson." It's an extraordinary snapshot of a 63-year-old Douglas telling stories and reminiscing in a way I otherwise would've never seen.

Finally there's a short excerpt from a 1997 French broadcast examining an incident that helped inspire Humphrey Cobb's novel of which the film is based along with the trailer for the film and a 20-page booklet containing an essay by James Naremore, author of 2007's "On Kubrick."

This is a film you should definitely consider adding to your collection and I only hope Criterion follows it up with a Blu-ray edition of The Killing. There are rumblings Warner will be bringing Barry Lyndon to Blu-ray next year, which would leave Lolita and The Killing as the lone Kubrick features (of those after Killer's Kiss) not yet available in high definition.

All of his films that are available on Blu-ray I own and I'd recommend anyone that finds his work intriguing do the same. There are few directors out there you can count on to grab your attention each and every time out and when one comes along it's only proper to snatch up the best there is whenever you can.

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