Customer Reviews

Incident

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

During WWII German POWs were housed in camps across the USA. "The Incident" is set in a small Colorado town near such a camp, and things seem to be going along well enough until the universally liked small town doctor is murdered one night at the camp.

A suspect is identified, and wheels go in motion that produce high-level suspence and intrigue. Before you know it a Federal Judge (Harry Morgan) is in town, preparing to try the soldier for murder in a civilian court. The catch is this, in order to run a fair trial someone has to defend the soldier.

The judge pressures the local small-town lawyer (Walter Matthau) into defending the soldier. It looks like an open and shut case - there is a murder, a weapon, witnesses, and universal hatred toward the soldier, but is everything as it appears?

Enjoy this engaging movie. It's definitely my all-time favorite Walter Matthau movie.

The story has interesting twists and turns, and produces strong emotion.

Definitely 5 stars! Great story, acting, and drama!

I highly recommend this and the two sequals that follow for any movie fan. Not only is this a good movie, but brings back fond memories of times past. An outstanding performance by Walter Matthau, Harry Morgan, Susan Blakely, and many more. Go back to 1944 in this very enjoyable movie in which the beloved small town doctor (Barnard Hughes) is killed by a German POW at the local POW camp. Harmon Cobb(Matthau) is a poor small town lawyer who is forced to defend the German accused of the crime. Judge Bell (Harry Morgan) is the judge who is out to hang the German Nazi and doesn't want Cobb or anyone else to mess up an open and shut case. However more is a foot as Cobb finds this is not an open and shut case; but rather a complex conspiracy involving his old friend the deceased doctor and others. Excellent trial scenes and a strong message that the obvious isn't always so obvious. We must always dig deep to find the truth of any situation. We are reminded that evil triumphs only when the good do nothing.

WWII is going on and government officials want to make a show of german pow's. Mr. Cobb is called on to defend the one of the german pow's for the murder of a civilian doctor. It was suppose to be all for show but Cobb proves to be a better lawyer than was expected. Cobb runs into some prejudice from his friends to bring justice where it is needed.

I like these series. There is much carmaraderie between the characters and they are clean.

1944. War is raging in Europe & families are losing loved ones. Spouses are separated and kids are beginning to live in single-parent homes. It's wartime. And in Colorado, a camp for German POWs, has a crisis that involves not only the US Government and POWs but also the local population. This story is a gripping tale of one court battle pitting the USA against one German POW. How can this town ever provide a fair trial for this hated enemy? Who will stand up for the accused killer of the local doctor? How does one define justice? Is fair play something of a give-and-take game?

The cast is headed by fantastic, seasoned people. Their portrayals alone, make this a memorable DVD. Reluctant local attorney Harmon J. Cobb (Walter Matthau). Judge Stoddard Bell (Harry Morgan). The daughter-in-law Billie (Susan Blakely). POW Wilhelm Geiger (Peter Firth). Prosecutor (Robert Carradine). And more.

This is a carefully produced and written period drama, complete with detailed sets, scenes, costumes, props, and in every way, in every detail, down to light fixtures, a 1944 affair. It is more about the emotions of living in small town home life rather than a WWII battle story. There is emotion and war losses at home as well as at the fighting front. This is one of the best movies ever produced, that shows that struggle of civilian war experiences.

The story ends with understanding on both sides of the world conflict, of what it costs the other side. Court action, not battle action. Conflict within hearts, not with guns. Right vs might, even in Bremen, Colorado.

Historical drama done right, with a message, with emotion, in an easy to take 1944 setting. Great gift for the history or war buff.

This made for TV special takes place in 1944 in the fictional town of Bremen, Colorado (it was filmed in Colorado Springs) which is home to a POW camp for German soldiers just outside town. The long-time, popular town physician (also the camp doctor) is murdered at the camp late one night. A makeshift Federal Court is set up in town to conduct the trial. No one doubts for a minute that one of the prisoners, Wilhelm Geiger, did it. To give him a 'fair' trial, he must have legal representation so the judge 'drafts' local down and out attorney, Harmon Cobb (Matthau) to do the job. Cobb, a decorated WWI hero, with a son serving in the military in France, is reluctant to take the job. The judge 'convinces' him to do it. Immediately, he and his family become targets for the local townspeople as 'German lovers'. As he gets into the case, he realizes that it's not all that it appears to be. The acting is great and the story is intriguing, especially since this is a part of WWII that has not had much publicity. A very informative and entertaining 100 minutes, especially for those who like courtroom dramas.

What amazed me beyond how well this movie was made, was how in the world I had missed it. I can only guess that it has had limited TV exposure. Apparently this made for TV movie televised in 1990 didn't wow the right people. I am extremely thankful to those that made it available on DVD since it is one of the best courtroom dramas I have seen. Walter Mathau does an excellent job as an old cantankerous lawyer that must defend a Nazi soldier, well played by Peter Firth, from not only the towns people, but the US government judge, played by Harry Morgan, as well. What unfolds in his personal life and with the case changes his life forever. I highly recommend this excellent movie. Good quality DVD with extras and lots of replayability. If you enjoyed this catch Against Her Will/Wounded Heart.

CA Luster

The movie itself is great - good plot, and the acting was first rate.

HOWEVER, the DVD was just adequate at best. The picture is not all that sharp, and the colors are washed out and contrast is weak. Don't look for captions or subtitles. The movie had chapters, but they weren't displayed - nor was elapsed or total time. In other words, a bare-bones DVD.

A made for TV movie, so it's just "full screen" - not widescreen.

This wasn't his best movie but well worth watch anyway. He is a lawyer in a small town in Colorado during WWII. Forced into defending a German prisoner accused of murder and while doing so gets word his son has been killed in action. An enjoyable watch.

A touching story that only Walter could pull off. I saw it years ago on TV and was so pleased to acquire the DVD.

I enjoyed Walter Matthau in just about anything he did. This film has a "B" movie feel to it. None-the-less I enjoyed it and found it worth my time and $.