Paths of Glory
The futility and irony of the war in the trenches in WWI is shown as a unit commander in the French army must deal with the mutiny of his men and a glory-seeking general after part of his force falls back under fire in an impossible attack.
Working with a extremely modest budget of $935K, the film achieved a steady performer with $1.2M in global revenue (+28% profit margin).
Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award5 wins & 3 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Paths of Glory (1957) showcases precise story structure, characteristic of Stanley Kubrick's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 28 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 3.8, the film takes an unconventional approach to traditional narrative frameworks.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Colonel Dax
General Broulard
General Mireau
Private Ferol
Corporal Paris
Private Arnaud
Lieutenant Roget
Main Cast & Characters
Colonel Dax
Played by Kirk Douglas
A principled French army colonel who defends three soldiers unjustly accused of cowardice during WWI, fighting against corrupt military leadership.
General Broulard
Played by Adolphe Menjou
A calculating and politically savvy corps commander who prioritizes military reputation and political expediency over justice and human life.
General Mireau
Played by George Macready
An ambitious and ruthless division commander who orders an impossible assault and scapegoats his own men to cover his failure.
Private Ferol
Played by Timothy Carey
One of three soldiers randomly selected to face court-martial for cowardice, representing the common soldier victimized by military injustice.
Corporal Paris
Played by Ralph Meeker
A brave soldier chosen for execution after witnessing his superior's cowardice, embodying the tragic irony of military 'justice'.
Private Arnaud
Played by Joe Turkel
A soldier selected for court-martial who maintains his dignity despite the absurd charges, representing innocent victims of institutional cruelty.
Lieutenant Roget
Played by Wayne Morris
A cowardly and self-serving officer who kills one of his own men during a patrol and later selects a witness for execution to cover his crime.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Opening tracking shot through the opulent French chateau headquarters, establishing the stark contrast between the privileged generals and the trenches. Shows the world of military hierarchy and disconnect from reality.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when General Mireau orders Colonel Dax to lead a suicidal assault on the Ant Hill, an impossible objective. Dax protests but is overruled. The comfortable status quo of competent leadership is shattered by mad ambition.. At 10% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 19 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 22% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The assault on the Ant Hill begins. Dax makes the active choice to lead his men into the impossible battle, crossing from the world of debate into the world of catastrophic action and consequences., moving from reaction to action.
At 39 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 44% of the runtime—arriving early, accelerating into Act IIb complications. Significantly, this crucial beat The court-martial proceeds as a sham trial. Dax realizes the verdict is predetermined despite his eloquent defense. False defeat: the facade of military justice is revealed as mockery, stakes escalate to life and death., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 58 minutes (66% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The three innocent soldiers are executed by firing squad at dawn despite all of Dax's efforts. Literal death. The complete failure of justice and humanity within the military system. Dax watches, powerless., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 63 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 72% of the runtime. General Broulard offers to make Dax Mireau's replacement, assuming Dax's defense was ambitious careerism. Dax refuses with contempt, achieving moral clarity. He sees the system is irredeemable but maintains his integrity., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Paths of Glory's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Paths of Glory against these established plot points, we can identify how Stanley Kubrick utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Paths of Glory within the drama genre.
Stanley Kubrick's Structural Approach
Among the 10 Stanley Kubrick films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 5.3, showcasing experimental approaches to narrative form. Paths of Glory takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Stanley Kubrick filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Stanley Kubrick analyses, see Eyes Wide Shut, Barry Lyndon and A Clockwork Orange.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Opening tracking shot through the opulent French chateau headquarters, establishing the stark contrast between the privileged generals and the trenches. Shows the world of military hierarchy and disconnect from reality.
Theme
General Broulard manipulates General Mireau with promises of promotion, stating that "patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." The theme of institutional corruption and the expendability of soldiers is established.
Worldbuilding
Establishment of the military hierarchy, the impossible mission to take the Ant Hill, and Colonel Dax's relationship with his men. Shows Dax inspecting the trenches, understanding the reality of war versus the generals' delusions.
Disruption
General Mireau orders Colonel Dax to lead a suicidal assault on the Ant Hill, an impossible objective. Dax protests but is overruled. The comfortable status quo of competent leadership is shattered by mad ambition.
Resistance
Dax debates and resists the order, knowing it will result in massive casualties. He eventually accepts to protect his men from worse consequences. Preparation for the doomed assault, showing Dax's care for his troops.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The assault on the Ant Hill begins. Dax makes the active choice to lead his men into the impossible battle, crossing from the world of debate into the world of catastrophic action and consequences.
Mirror World
The assault fails catastrophically. Soldiers are slaughtered, some refuse to leave the trenches. General Mireau, observing from safety, orders his own artillery to fire on his troops. This subplot reveals the true nature of command.
Premise
The aftermath of the failed assault. Mireau demands a court-martial for cowardice. Three men are selected randomly to be tried and executed as scapegoats. Dax, a lawyer before the war, agrees to defend them.
Midpoint
The court-martial proceeds as a sham trial. Dax realizes the verdict is predetermined despite his eloquent defense. False defeat: the facade of military justice is revealed as mockery, stakes escalate to life and death.
Opposition
Dax fights desperately to save his men through the legal system and appeals to higher command. He gathers evidence of Mireau's order to fire on his own troops. The generals close ranks, protecting their own.
Collapse
The three innocent soldiers are executed by firing squad at dawn despite all of Dax's efforts. Literal death. The complete failure of justice and humanity within the military system. Dax watches, powerless.
Crisis
Dax confronts the generals at a post-execution breakfast, presenting evidence of Mireau's criminal order. The dark realization that even this evidence will be used cynically for political purposes, not justice.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
General Broulard offers to make Dax Mireau's replacement, assuming Dax's defense was ambitious careerism. Dax refuses with contempt, achieving moral clarity. He sees the system is irredeemable but maintains his integrity.
Synthesis
Dax walks away from the generals' world. He returns to his men in a tavern where a frightened German girl is forced to sing. The soldiers, initially cruel, begin to weep and hum along, revealing their shared humanity.
Transformation
Dax watches his men from outside the tavern, allowing them a few more moments of grace before they must return to the front. He remains a witness to their humanity. Closing image mirrors opening: Dax still trapped in the system but morally uncorrupted.