Hart’s War
To say that a film set in a prisoner of war camp has spectacular scenery seems to contradict itself, but Hart’s War opens with just that. It tells the story of Lieutenant Thomas W. Hart, played by Colin Farrell, who is captured by the Nazis and sent to a POW camp during World War II.
Initially the film’s aim seems to be to tell the tale of the group of men Hart becomes associated with and to show the relationships between them. It does this fairly successfully by portraying the poignant balance between relating to each other as soldiers and relating to each other as people. However the films changed gear about 40 minutes in with the introduction of more controversial topics.
The camp sees the arrival of two captured pilots; Lieutenant Lincoln A. Scott and Lieutenant Lamar T. Archer. Both are African American and receive a less than warm welcome because of the colour of their skin. Only Hart attempts any amicable relationship with the two men. This display of hostility portrays the segregation of white people from black people at this time in a much harsher environment, where the two groups should really be concentrating on the real enemy: the Germans. Problems arise and incidents occur which soon lead to a more sinister turn of events.
Staff Sergeant Vic. W Bedford, played by Cole Hauser, doesn’t try to hide his contempt for the two black officers which leads to a weapon being hidden in Archer’s bunk. He is soon searched, dragged from the hut and executed on sight. Bruce Willis’ character Colonel William A. McNamara expresses what we are all thinking: that his execution was not necessary and only occurred because he was viewed as a “lesser race”. The film manages to evoke an emotional response from the audience and continues to do so from this point on.
Soon after Bedford is found dead outside the hut and all fingers point at Scott. McNamara soon steps in and demands a trial for him, seen as his comrade was denied such an act. Surprisingly the Nazi officers agree and Hart is soon called upon to act as his lawyer.
I won’t give the entire plot away because the film has a clever ending, but it is worth watching. The outcome of the trial becomes irrelevant as another plot element is revealed. A good film from start to end because not one element left me feeling confused or disappointed.
