King and Country

1964 · 85 min · EN · PG · 7.1 (66 votes)

Dir. Joseph Losey · Starring Dirk Bogarde, Tom Courtenay, Leo McKern, Peter Copley, Barry Foster, Barry Justice · Music Larry Adler

“Go ahead... kill him - you're the only friend he has!”

WarDrama

During World War I, Army Private Arthur James Hamp is accused of desertion during battle. The officer assigned to defend him at his court-martial, Captain Hargreaves, finds out there is more to the case than meets the eye.

VIBE

A grim, claustrophobic descent into the dehumanizing machinery of war and military justice. It feels like a suffocating, desperate plea for understanding amidst the mud and madness of the trenches.

somberbleakintensefrustratedsteadykitchen sink realismwartime dramacourtroom dramawarinjusticemasculinityduty

▶ Stream on Philo, FlixFling, Cineverse Amazon Channel

based on novel or bookworld war idesertionbritish armydutymilitary courtmoral conflictbased on play or musicalvolunteerbotched executioncourt martialfiring squadhorrors of war1910swar traumatrench warfarebattlefield traumashell shocked soldier