Product Details

• Actors: Karel Belohradsky, Jonathan Brandis, Rory Cochrane, Ruaidhri Conroy, Colin Farrell
• Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (DTS 5.1), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround)
• Subtitles: Spanish, French
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: R (Restricted)
• Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
• DVD Release Date: January 30, 2007
• Run Time: 125 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (118 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00000F2UF
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,598 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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• For more information about "Hart's War [Blu-ray]" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Anyone who appreciates subtle tension will enjoy this World War II prison-camp drama, based on John Katzenbach's novel, in which honor, courage, and sacrifice are revealed in unexpected ways. Bruce Willis plays the ranking U.S. prisoner in a Nazi POW camp, joined in December 1944 by a law-student lieutenant (up-and-coming star Colin Farrell) who'd been captured despite his father's powerful military connections. When a black pilot (Terrence Dashon Howard) from the famous Tuskeegee airmen is falsely accused of murdering a fellow prisoner, Farrell tries his case and discovers the real motivation behind Willis's kangaroo court. While combining elements of Stalag 17 and The Great Escape, director Gregory Hoblit (Primal Fear, Frequency) spices this moral dilemma with well-crafted suspense and a rousing dogfight sequence, but the human drama remains muted despite fine, understated performances by Willis, Farrell, and Howard. An escape thriller with an ethical twist, Hart's War works best as a study of heroism under extraordinary circumstances. --Jeff Shannon

Product Description

MGM Hart's War (Blu-Ray)Bruce Willis stars as an imprisoned officer who refuses to give up his fightto defeat the Nazis in this "absorbing" (Roger Ebert) WWII adventure. Co-starring Colin Farrell ("Minority Report") and packed with "crisp action sequences" (Los Angeles Times), "Hart's War" is a powerful and "stirring tribute to soldierly courage and honor" (L.A. Daily News). When Col. William McNamara (Willis) is stripped of his freedom in a German POW camp, he's determined to keep on fighting - even from behind enemy lines. Enlisting the helpof a young lieutenant (Farrell) in a brilliant plot against his captors, McNamara risks everything on a mission to free his men...and change the outcome of the war.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable film with strong performances, February 21, 2002

By	Jason Cheng "zalasta" (Catonsville, MD) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

First of all let's get one thing straight, although the setting of Hart's War is during World War II, this is not an action movie along the lines of Black Hawk Down or Saving Private Ryan, instead, it is more of a who-done-it type of drama film. With that out of the way, Hart's War is about the experiences of Lt. Thomas Hart during his stay at a German POW camp (the Stalag 6A) in 1944, nearing the end of the war. Inside the compound he meets Col. William McNamara, the highest ranking officer in the place, even in prison, all US soldiers and officers still answer to McNamara, and the chain of command is expected to be followed. Things start to get out of hand after two black fighter pilots enter the camp, and when one of them is accused of murder, Hart is assigned to defend him in the court martial, if he fails, the man will face the firing squad.

The strongest part of Hart's War is the performances, not just by the leads but also the supporting cast. Bruce Willis proves once again that he is a talented actor, not just another action star. His portrayal of McNamara was right on, it's as if the role was tailored specifically for him, and in every scene he held a commanding presence. Colin Farrell also did a good job as Hart, compelling and measured, I really like how his character struggled between his allegiance as an officer and his duty to his client. Fairly new to Hollywood, he's definitely someone to keep an eye out for in the future.

The script is another big plus for the movie, I found it ironic that these soldiers were sent to Europe to fight a war against the Nazi and the their so called ethnic cleansing, but instead, they are fighting their own racial prejudices in the POW camp. The hatred some of these enlisted men have for their fellow African American comrades was sometimes even more intense and pronounced than what they shown towards the enemies, Hart's War was able to accurately illustrate the hardships blacks have to face in the war even among allies. Top it off with excellent dialogues, Hart's War is one solid drama.

The only problem I had with the movie was the ending, it's not bad, just a little unexpected, but not enough to ruin the whole experience for me. I strongly recommend Hart's War to anyone who wants a little change of pace from all the big action war films we've had (and are going to have in the upcoming months,) I sure wasn't disappointed.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The imminent end of WWII doesn't bring happiness to everyone, February 26, 2002

By	David Thomson "Second Rate Eric Hoffer Imitator" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

World War II is rapidly winding down. Soldiers on both sides realize that Germany will surrender in the near future. Lt. Thomas Hart (Colin Farrell) has the misfortune to be captured by the Germans and sent to Stalig 17. He is greeted by Col. William McNamara (Bruce Willis), a third generation West Point career
officer. The latter is not pleased at sitting out the remaining time of the war as a P.O.W. Col. McNamara has a family tradition to uphold, and the gods of the universe are not cooperating. Someone with a more prudent disposition might decide to patiently wait to be liberated. The Colonel, though, is not so inclined and has every intention to rebel at every chance he gets. Marcel Iures is splendidly cast as the German P.O.W. commandant, Col. Werner Wisser, who loves American Jazz, and seems totally disinterested in Nazi ideology. He has a job to do, and merely desires to stay out of harm's way. There is no sense in needlessly irritating the inevitable winners of the war. The German officer is more than willing to cut the Americans some slack as long as they sufficiently abide by the camp's rules. Iure's character is indispensable to the plot, and his performance should be remember when it's time for the Oscar nominations.

The addition of two Afro-American pilots disrupts the harmony of the camp. The racist attitudes of a few white prisoners threatens to endanger the safety of everyone. One of these racists is murdered and this is when the story really takes off. Terrence Dashon Howard admirably portrays the black pilot suspected of the
crime. It is Lt. Hart's duty to defend him in less than ideal circumstances. Is the black officer guilty? If not, why is he being framed, and by whom? Director Gregory Hoblit puts together an intelligent movie highlighting the racism of that period. Some viewers may be surprised to learn that Nazis were often better treated by white Americans than the blacks who served in their own military. The film has some weaknesses, but still is worth seeing. There's enough here to give it four and a half stars.

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It couldn't happen this way, but I loved it anyway!, April 5, 2002

By	Linda Linguvic (New York City) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I enjoy war movies. This was no exception. The only problem is that I don't think this story could have ever happened. Once I realized that, I could relax and let myself be held in an iron grip of twists and turns of the plot, constant surprises throughout and an inevitable satisfying conclusion. No, this film is not primarily about an escape effort by a group of POWs in Nazi Germany as the trailer would have you believe. It's much more complex than that. It's about heroism and sacrifice, but it's also about racism among our own troops and the hard decisions that people have to make.

Bruce Willis, cast as an American colonel in the prison camp, actually has the right to command his men even though they are incarcerated. He is considered the star of the film, but the real star is Colin Farrell, cast as Lieutenant Tommy Hart, whose capture and interrogation is presented in gruesome detail. By the time he arrives at the prison camp, we have already seen him under pressure and we have doubts about his strengths. The prison camp is crowded and when two African-American Tuskegee Airmen are captured, there is blatant racism among the other prisoners. When a murder occurs, Bruce Willis convinces the German commandant to allow him to conduct his own military trial right inside the prison camp. This is where reality breaks down, but the story is so intriguing that it just led me on. Another piece of great casting is that of the SS Major, played by Marcel Ivres. He plays his role with just the right amount of arrogance and contempt and the viewer gets to see him as an individual and not just a stereotype. And Terrance Dashon Howard, cast in the role of the black officer on trial, is excellent.

Filmed in Prague, we are treated to the excellent cinematography we've learned to expect and the long shots of the winter landscape are excellent. The acting is consistently good, the theme modern, and the plot riveting. It's a good story, well told. If, later, it seems a little incredulous - well, who ever said a movie was supposed to be real? Some might find it too violent, but for war-film aficionados, I definitely recommend it.