King & Country (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

This 1964 movie with Tom Courtenay and Dirk Bogarde was on TCM last night, about a soldier who deserts in WW I and the officer Captain Hargreaves (Bogarde) assigned to defend him. This is the first time I'd seen and it's a hellish movie, showing the ugly side where men are likened to rats and treated no better; while Private Hamp (Courtenay) is being prosecuted, the men in the company hold a trial of a rat and execute him. The muck and mire of war is shown, with the Colonel essentially trying to send a lesson even though it will not do any good. It isn't good enough for the men to stage a real execution of a rat for on the evening of Hamp's shooting they get drunk with him and stage a mock execution.

The he only ones who seem to maintain their humanity are Hamp and Hargreaves; his fate is certain from the beginning.

This is one of the better movies I've seen and belongs up there with All Quiet. I can't recommend it enough.

I'm curious to hear your comments.

Brad

 

[hotel3alpha]

Brad,

Never heard of it. But now I am curious.

John from Texas

PS: Is it on Blu-Ray? LOL

 

[BLReed]

........
This is one of the better movies I've seen and belongs up there with All Quiet. I can't recommend it enough.
..........

Yes it is well worth watching. One of those films that comes across more presented in black and white.
This Reviewer paralleles it with Paths of Glory. Tom Courtenay makes the film.

 

[lancer]

This 1964 movie with Tom Courtenay and Dirk Bogarde was on TCM last night, about a soldier who deserts in WW I and the officer Captain Hargreaves (Bogarde) assigned to defend him. This is the first time I'd seen and it's a hellish movie, showing the ugly side where men are likened to rats and treated no better; while Private Hamp (Courtenay) is being prosecuted, the men in the company hold a trial of a rat and execute him. The muck and mire of war is shown, with the Colonel essentially trying to send a lesson even though it will not do any good. It isn't good enough for the men to stage a real execution of a rat for on the evening of Hamp's shooting they get drunk with him and stage a mock execution.

The he only ones who seem to maintain their humanity are Hamp and Hargreaves; his fate is certain from the beginning.

This is one of the better movies I've seen and belongs up there with All Quiet. I can't recommend it enough.

I'm curious to hear your comments.

Brad

Brad, I stayed up to watch this (rather, set my alarm) and was quite surprised to find that I had not seen it either. I thought I had. Odd how that happens. At any rate, I found it outstanding. It really is a forgotten classic. Leo McKern was excellent as the MO. Courtenay is simply an outstanding actor and has been great in everything I can remember seeing him in, like King Rat. A great, big two thumbs up for this one. Talk about a stacked deck, Hamp never had a prayer. The end scene with Bogarde and the pistol is tragic. -- Al