Paths of Glory and Censorship

When “Paths of Glory” (1957) was released, feelings ran high in France, with some people claiming that the country’s honor was compromised by the film. French officers disrupted the Berlin premiere with stink bombs and firecrackers. General Gèze, who was in charge of the French sector, prohibited the film from being shown there, and the French even threatened to boycott the Berlin Film Festival. The film was not released in France until 1975. Military officers of all nationalities would feel threatened by “Paths of Glory.” The film was prohibited from being shown in American military theaters even though it caused no trouble when shown in civilian theaters. It was banned in Switzerland until 1970 and in Israel until 1971. There were protests against and boycotts of the film in other countries as well.