Trivia

Banned in Spain under Gen. Francisco Franco's dictatorship for its anti-military message. It wasn't released until 1986, 11 years after Franco's death.

The title is a quotation from Thomas Gray's 'Elegy written in a country churchyard': "The paths of glory lead but to the grave".

Kirk Douglas was irritated by Timothy Carey's erratic acting, and made his irritation known, loudly. However, Stanley Kubrick seemed to have enjoyed getting Douglas riled up. During the court-martial scene, when Douglas was criticizing Carey's delivery, Kubrick whispered to Carey, "Make this a good one, because Kirk doesn't like it."

This film was banned in France for its negative portrayal of the French army. Switzerland also banned the film (until 1978), accusing it of being "subversive propaganda directed at France." Belgium required that a foreword be added stating that the story represented an isolated case that did not reflect upon the "gallantry of the French soldiers."

Winston Churchill said that the film was a highly accurate depiction of trench warfare and the sometimes misguided workings of the military mind.

Stanley Kubrick: [Bathroom] Col. Dax first appears as he washes up.

Stanley Kubrick: [First Person Shot] The three condemned men as they walk to be executed.

Stanley Kubrick: [Three-Way] Court-martialed soldiers vs. French generals vs. Germans

Stanley Kubrick: [faces] Paris, when he's about to strike Pvt. Arnaud.

Stanley Kubrick: [Three-Way] Col. Dax vs. Gen. Mireau vs. Gen. Broulard.