Review of Hart's War (2002) by Gareth B — 23 Jun 2010
Hart's War is a difficult film to categorise. The first half sets up as though it is going to be a Great Escape-esque, Prisoner-of-War film, yet then somehow inexplicably it morphs into a classic courtroom drama, before flinging suddenly back into POW mode again.
Perhaps the main issue is that Hart's War is trying to do too much at once. It wants to examine the Nazis treatment of American prisoners, but at the same time wants to comment on American racial prejudice and segregation.
Whilst many films have dedicated lots of time to examining these themes individually, combining them here just confuses matters. Acting for the most part is alright, but the plot doesn't grip you like it should, and instead you are left feigning interest over why the Colonel (played by a very gruff Bruce Willis) wants to conduct a complicated murder trial, or why the Germans would allow it in the first place.
It's alright, but it doesn't light any fires.
This review of Hart's War (2002) was written by Gareth B on 23 Jun 2010.
Hart's War has generally received mixed reviews.
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