Timothy Carey is fantastic in that film. He was always one to improvise (much to the frustration of directors). Kubrick wanted him to remain silent during an execution scene, but Carey would have none of that and absolutely let loose with a genuine reaction. Kubrick realized Carey was in the right and kept it with his improv (but he still ended up firing him !).
I did not know that - thanks, FM!
A few years ago, “The Lost Battalion” came out (HBO release, I believe). Rick Schroeder was in it, about a battalion of the 305th Regiment/77th Infantry Division cut off and surrounded in the Argonne right near the end of the war.
It was a great movie - well made, good special effects, good acting...
But it didn’t have the soul that something like Paths of Glory does. Maybe that’s not the right term for it, but something was missing.
Still a good flick though, and worth the watch.
Also - another one to catch is 1992’s “Stalingrad”; a German made English subtitle flick. Their version of “Saving Private Ryan”. Brutal movie, and very well done.