Paths of Glory

French trenches in WWI. Soldiers preparing for impossible mission. Tone of futility and military hierarchy established.

Theme of morality, authority, and human cost of war highlighted. Dialogue suggests injustice is inherent in military chain of command.

Colonel Dax introduced as principled leader. Soldiers' camaraderie and fear established. Colonel assigned to lead suicidal attack on German position. Stakes defined.

Attack plan is given. Soldiers aware mission is likely fatal. Motivation to obey despite injustice. Tension rises.

Dax struggles with morality vs. duty. Can he maintain soldiers' lives while obeying orders? Soldiers express doubt and fear.

Attack begins. Soldiers cross no-man's-land. First major action sequence. Transition into active battle and moral testing.

Focus on individual soldiers: camaraderie, bravery, and human cost. Side interactions reveal character depth.

Battle continues. Some soldiers die, some survive. Heroism and futility mix. Tension sustained.

Attack fails. Heavy casualties. False victory impossible. Stakes at maximum despair.

Military superiors seek scapegoats. Innocent soldiers chosen for execution to maintain morale. Moral tension peaks.

Three soldiers sentenced to death. Dax's helplessness. Ultimate injustice realized.

Dax struggles with grief and rage. Questioning authority, war, and human cost. Emotional low point.

Dax devises plan to defend soldiers, appeals to court martial, exposes absurdity of military bureaucracy. Attempt at resolution.

Court martial resolves some justice. Soldiers returned, but moral ambiguity remains. Dax maintains principles, partially victorious.

Trenches silent. Soldiers marching. Human cost of war emphasized. Moral statement delivered. Kubrick's signature cold lens on humanity.