Rating: 
Summary: If you want to enjoy this film at all IGNORE THE TRAILER
Review: WARNING: Do not watch the trailer for "Hart's War" before you watch the film. I almost did that and changed my mind at the last minute, which was good because the trailer spoils 90% of the movie. I probably enjoyed the film more than I would have otherwise because I did not know what was up. It has been a while since I have seen a trailer do such a gross disservice to a film. It will suprrise a lot of viewers that Bruce Willis is not the title character in "Hart's War." Willis plays Col. William McNamara, commanding officer of the American Troops at German Stalag VI A. Colin Farrell is Lt. Thomas Hart and who he is and how he came to be at this place is one of the first major pieces in the puzzle of what is happening in this film. But then a pair of black Air Corps pilots, Lt. Lincoln Scott (Terrence Howard) and Lt. Lamar Archer (Vicellous Shannon) enter the camp to a hostile reception from their fellow Americans. Meanwhile, the camp's Russian prisoners are doing forced labor at a bomb factory that the Allies think only makes shoes. What we know about World War II films set in P.O.W. camps is that there is supposed to be an escape (e.g., "The Great Escape," "Von Ryan's Express"). What we do not expect is a court martial, but that becomes the event that starts to bring all the sub-plots together in this film (unless, of course, you made the mistake of watching that trailer). However, having created some momentum towards the conclusion it has carefully constructed, the film throws it away at the end, and not to some greater good. If this had happened after I had seen the trailer I would have been motivated to really trash this film because it would have been the proverbial adding insult to injury. Willis's face was used to sell this film but Col. McNamara is really a substantial supporting role. This is primarily Colin Farrell's film and he has as much conflict with the characters of Lt. Scott and the Nazi commandant Col. Visser (Marcel Iures) as he does McNamara. I can not speak to John Katzenbach's novel, beyond the disparaging comments directed at it by Stephen King in his book on writing, but the screenplay by Billy Ray and Terry George certainly wants to comment on racism. But the points that are made are more from the perspective of the black pilots and the Nazi commandant than the bigoted white soldiers.
Rating: 
Summary: What fun war can be!
Review: Initially, I went to see one of my favorite actors, Bruce Willis, but this movie was carried by the look-alike for Robert Downey, Jr., Colin Farrell. The acting is superb and the story line is different from most war movies -- keeps your attention throughout. The color and action are worth seeing. It was an enjoyable outing to watch these actors strut their stuff. Let's see more of the Irish lad, Farrell!
Rating: 
Summary: Not as good as I would have expected.
Review: I usually like Bruce Willis's movies. This one I thought I'd love, but I think it was pretty medicure. The basic premise has already been seen on "Hogan's Heros". Still, I'd watch it again one of these days. I wouldn't recomend it to anyone though.
Rating:
Summary: unexpected!
Review: well, when i watched the movie, i had no background of what it is. and i think that helped a lot to make the story for me very interesting every moment. actually, i watched it coz i was a supporter of Colin but i didnt expect the movie to be good! i've never thought of Howard to be so good in acting. He was magnificent! and of course Colin. because i had no background of what it is about, every scene for me was surprising. I thought that it was a typical war movie, but it's not. it went deeper. about the dvd, the cd itself has no picture (or is it just my copy? but it's original). There are few features for such a nice movie. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: War movie with a difference
Review: This is the only American-made World War II movie I have seen that does not present US soldiers as heroes on the battlefield. Instead, it shows us the internal dynamics of US prisoners kept in rather good conditions in a German POW camp. The contrast between the treatment Germans accord to the Americans and that they mete out to Soviet prisoners is disturbing, as is the behaviour of certain white American prisoners towards their black comrades. Thus, the violence in this movie does not consist of hours of blood-soaked footage, but rather of the more subtle violation of human dignity. The story revolves around a young lieutenant from a privileged background who cracks all too easily under German interrogation and spends the rest of the movie trying to earn the respect of his fellow inmates. His quest to redeem himself drives him into constant confrontation with the ranking US officer in the German camp, from which they both emerge wiser men. This is a rather refreshing war movie, for it avoids overblown heroism and shows us, instead, the triumphs and failures of ordinary men caught in an extraordinary situation.
Rating:
Summary: Not Your typical war movie, but still great
Review: This movie combines, War, Racism, Law and great acting to produce a great film. Not the typical action packed war movie, but yet keeps the audience in suspense with great acting, especially from Colin Farrel. A needed twist in today's war films.
Rating:
Summary: Characters and a unique twist drive this "sleeper" movie
Review: "Hart's War" was, in my opinion, plagued by its own promotion; thus its brief run in theaters. Through the trailers and other advertising, it seemed as though the studio couldn't decide whether to market it as "The Great Escape" for a new generation, or whether it was to be "A Few Good Men" set in World War II. Those expecting it to be in either category will be sorely disappointed. "Hart's War" turned out to be an interesting character drama that, while incorporating some parts of similar movies that have preceded it, proved to stand out as a unique film in the genre. The basic plot involves Hart, a rear-echelon staff aide, winding up in a POW camp after an unfortunate errand gets him captured by the Germans. There he meets Colonel MacNamara, who doesn't trust Hart, fearing that Hart spilled secrets during his interrogation. Enter a downed Tuskegee airman, later accused of murder. MacNamara, trying to cover for his escape and sabotage plan, convinces the stalag commandant to hold a court-martial, at which Hart will defend the airman as a means of keeping him out of MacNamara's plan and distracting the Germans while they carry it out. The story plods along in a lot of places, and nothing very dynamic occurs until the climax and surprise ending to the movie. In that respect, it would merit a low rating. However, it is the climax and surprise ending that save the movie and highlight the uniqueness that separates this movie from its predecessors. But, most importantly, it is the characters which drive this drama. Colin Farrell is rather plain in the lead role of Hart. If anything, he annoyed me in that he came off as a wimp and someone to despise, until a brief stand of courage at the end salvages his role somewhat. Perhaps this was the intent of Mr. Farrell's role, but all in all, nothing really distinguishes him, and the outstanding roles of the supporting cast make his rather forgettable. Bruce Willis, billed as the marquee name in this movie, plays Colonel MacNamara. However, the marquee billing is deceptive, as Mr. Willis plays much more of a supporting role. But, he has a track record of being able to step out or share the spotlight and creates memorable, subdued supporting characters. This is what he accomplishes here, portraying a man from a legendary military family who wrestles with the personal demons of being captured before he can have his moments of valor. His brooding adds to the edge and command of his role, making the viewer believe he is truly the leader of the POW's interred at the camp. But perhaps the best role in this movie - and one of the remarkable roles in any movie in recent years - goes to Marcel Iures, who portrays the German stalag commandant. I was utterly fascinated by the depth, complexity, and quiet brilliance of this character. The commandant is a world-weary man, burdened by the loss of family and friends in years of war, and knowing that he is on the losing side of this conflict. However, in the face of all this, he attempts to maintain some order and discipline in the camp - accentuated by the occasional flash of evil - while at the same time balancing a system of respect and equity for the Allied officers (MacNamara and the other POW's). He allows the court-martial in the guise of fairness, though behind the scenes, he attempts to rig the trial to his favor. He lashes out with cruelty, yet fights emotions of sorrow and extraordinary remorse in an act he performs near the end of the movie. Mr. Iures elegantly and quietly carries off this complex role in a way I believe no one else could have. As I noted, I found his to be one of the most remarkable roles on film in recent years; a pity that more people did not - or will not - witness it. All in all, I give "Hart's War" a four-star rating for the outstanding roles portrayed by Mr. Willis and Mr. Iures, and for a different twist on the prisoner-of-war camp genre. The story does move rather slowly and predictably, which prevents me from rating it with a full five stars. The main draw for all audiences, though, is to see a couple of fine acting performances.
Rating:
Summary: POW Camp Court Drama..
Review: Lt. Thomas W. Hart (Colin Farrell) get caught by the Germans during World War II and ended up being questioned for information. He is released and sent to a prisoner of war camp when he conveys some information after torturous treatment. At the POW camp he is placed in a barracks with the enlisted men away from the other officers. When a couple of African-American pilots arrive to the camp there seems to be some obvious racism expressed towards the African-Americans. In addition, they are placed in the same barracks as Hart, which becomes the beginning of a difficult time for Hart and the newly arrived men as they face racism and bigotry in Nazi-Germany. Hart's War is a heroic war film that deals with social and moral issues. However, it has an obvious Hollywood influence, which magnifies the heroism and provides contrasts that are excessively obvious.
Rating:
Summary: pretty good
Review: Colin Farrell plays Lt. Hart, a p.o.w. (and law school graduate) in a German Camp. He is forced to defend one of his fellow prisoner's by the commanding officer of the prisoner's when the man is accused of murdering one of the fellow prisoners. All of the court-room drama is designed to hide the attempts by the prisoner's to do their country proud. The pacing of the movie was well done. It rarely dragged and both the outside war scenes and the court room intrigue kept the interest level high. The movie had a multiple levels of war throughout as there was the obvious war going on outside the camp, as there was multiple ones inside the camp dealing with racism and betrayal. Performances were excellent by all involved. Colin Farrell continues to impress and Bruce Willis, as the commanding officer of the inmates, continues to show how he is one of the most underrated actors in Hollywood.
Rating: 
Summary: If you like war movies skip this one
Review: This movie is a politically corect drama. If you want a war movie see Siege at Firebase Gloria, Platoon Leader, or We Were Soldiers instead. I found this movie to be a wate of my time and really can't recommend viewing this dog.
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