Monday, August 17th, 2009
(Calculate Time Zone)
“Because you don’t know the answer to that question, I pity you.”
IMO, this is an under appreciated film. It is shot beautifully and the performances, especially Douglas, are wonderful. The author, Humphrey Cobb, had no title for the novel. According to wikipedia, there was a contest. The winning title was taken from a poem by Thomas Gray called “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.
I liked it. Any one else going to watch this? I’m up for it, but don’t know if I can make it all the way. Pretty tired here.
I was reading this book on trench warfare in WW1 and it showed some of the french political cartoons of the day. It was crazy how these papers said their own French troops were living. It showed the trenches complete with pool halls and spas. Total disconect from reality.
The tagline on one of the posters for the film read:
“IT EXPLODES IN THE NO-MAN’S LAND NO PICTURE EVER DARED CROSS BEFORE!”
I wonder if Star Trek got the idea of crazy Captains and dick Admirals from this film.
To be honest, I’d never even heard of this movie until maybe two or three days ago. Should be interesting.
I’m here, Lucky. I’m pretty tired myself. This one is only 87 minutes so I should be able to staty awake for the duration.
I’m always amazed with film portrayal of events and actual events. This latest craze with Reality TV doesn’t help.
Sorry I dropped it like a bomb. I’ve got to get better at planning these things so they’re not last minute.
It’s actually pretty good. I’ll admit, at times I get tired with anti-war films—usually they are not very well done or are divorced from reality—but this one surprised me with how good it was. I saw it on a DVD rack for five dollars, and I just felt compelled to buy it.
While having a casual conversation about Kubrick films with a friend, he mentioned this and I hadn’t seen it. We stopped mid-conversation. He said, “We’re going to Blockbuster right now and renting it.” That was fun.
You know, I never read it as anti-war. It’s more anti-bureaucracy/anti-establishment.
“La Marseillaise”
Come, children of the Fatherland,
The day of glory has arrived!
The opening narration tells us of the loss of lives followed by the pomp and elegance of the elite in the military.
Well I met anti-war in the sense of acuratly depicting the cost of war in lives and on the human soul. But yeah, definitely anti beuarocracy.
“It’s out of the question, George. Absolutely out of the question. My division was cut to pieces. What’s left of it is in no position to even hold the Ant Hill, let alone take it. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth.”
Followed by walking around the room. Nice touch. The dance of persuasion.
what time are you at if you don’t mind? I think i am a little ahead of you.
Yeah. It’s considered by many as anti-war. In fact this is considered first in Kubrick’s trilogy of anti-war films:
Paths of Glory
Dr. Strangelove
Full Metal Jacket
I just started. We usually start @ :15 per tradition.
Look! It’s Oscar Goldman!!
I havbe never seen dr. strangelove, though I keep meaning to.
Thanks, I should be where you are then.