Paths of Glory

France, 1916: the First World War is at its height, ruthless trench warfare costing the lives of millions of soldiers. From the French headquarters, General Mireau receives a request to take a well-defended German position. He hesitates, until he learns that a prestigious promotion is on the line. He orders Colonel Dax (Kirk Douglas) to devise and implement an attack. That attack fails miserably – the men of one company even refuse to leave their trenches out of fear, leading Mireau to threaten to execute the "cowards". In the following court-martial, Dax volunteers to defend these men.

French officials were not pleased by Kubrick's impressive (anti) war film for its negative portrayal of the French army. Even though the film was not banned, the authorities managed to stop the release. Eventually the film was first shown in France in 1975.