Special presentation to commemorate the Centenary of the start of the First World War
USA – War – Year: 1957 – Running time: 88 mins
CFC Audience feedback: Rating: 
(4.55 / 5 from 33 votes)
‘Excellent’: 21 votes- ‘Very Good’: 9 votes
- ‘Good’: 3 votes
- 2 comments submitted with no score
In what is arguably Kubrick’s finest film, which would announce all the themes underlying his future work, from A Clockwork Orange to Full Metal Jacket, all the horrors of the First World War are shockingly portrayed. A general orders a suicidally pointless attack on a German stronghold. After the inevitable fiasco, three men are chosen by lot to be tried and executed. Tough old soldier Drax (Kirk Douglas), disgusted with his superior’s arrogant incompetence, attempts to defend them. Re-released for the 1914 centenary.
It is arguably the best film about the first world war, and still has a reasonable claim to being Stanley Kubrick’s best film.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian
This year, the Mayor of Chelmsford’s chosen charity is the Royal British Legion, and the Club has agreed to offer its members the chance to contribute to the charity, by holding a bucket collection following the showing of this film.
Director: Stanley Kubrick
The Shining (1980) / A Clockwork Orange (1971) / 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Film notes (Peter Bunyan)
Audience feedback
Discussion forum
Further Reading:
Time Out (Tom Huddleston)
Guardian film (Peter Bradshaw)
Theatrical trailer: