King And Country

Dirk Bogarde (Death in Venice, The Night Porter) and Tom Courtenay (Billy Liar, The Dresser) give shattering performances in this British anti-war classic based on actual events. Private Arthur Hamp (Courtenay), a volunteer at the outbreak of the First World War, and the sole survivor of his company, decides one day to “go for a walk.” Picked up by the military police, he is sent back to his unit to face court-martial for desertion. An arrogant officer, Captain Charles Hargreaves (Bogarde), reluctantly accepts the assignment to defend him. However, during testimony, Hargreaves begins to feel sympathy for the obviously sincere but traumatized Hamp. For the first time in his military career, the officer begins to question the army’s methods and attitudes toward its men. “An intense, compelling picture” (The New York Times), King and Country was one of several acclaimed films that Dirk Bogarde made with the masterful director Joseph Losey (The Servant, Accident).