Hart's War review

John Katzenbach's best-selling novel provides the inspiration for Gregory Hoblit's thriller, set amidst the devastation of World War II.

Lieutenant Tommy Hart (Colin Farrell) has enjoyed a privileged upbringing, and thanks to his father's political influence, he secures a position as an officer's aide during the conflict.

Unfortunately, Tommy is captured by the Nazis, and is consigned to a concentration camp with all of the other US prisoners.

There, senior officer Colonel William McNamara (Bruce Willis) assigns Tommy the unenviable task of protecting black officer Lieutenant Lincoln Scott (Terrence Dashon Howard), who has been charged with murdering a fellow white prisoner.

Tommy must put his prejudices to one side to mount a convincing defence to save Lincoln, but in the process he uncovers a covert plot that will force him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

After a 30 minute preamble, detailing Hart's capture by the Nazis, his torture and subsequent incarceration, Hart's War reverts to courtroom drama by numbers. Evidence and key witnesses are unearthed every 10-15 minutes, building to the inevitable military court showdown. Lincoln's guilt or innocence is evident before opening arguments, so the film attempts to sustain our interest with an escape sub-plot. The big finale, which should be an edge-of-seat cliffhanger, barely quickens the pulse, and merely provides Willis with the opportunity to grandstand.

Hart's War reflects far too little of the hardship or gruelling conditions of life as a POW.

Despite second billing, Farrell has the largest and juiciest role, but he fails to invest his accidental hero with any charisma, intelligence or steely determination.

Willis plies his trademark smirk (which he hopes will make him seem enigmatic), and Howard and Roache are wasted in thankless supporting roles. Hauser's wily Staff Sergeant, who is usurped from his position as top dog when Hart arrives in camp, is pure caricature.