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The Captain

Play trailer 1:59 Poster for The Captain 2018,  1h 58m,  History/ Drama/ War Play Trailer Watchlist
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Stream Now Watchlist 83% 53 Reviews Tomatometer 84% 500+ Ratings Popcornmeter
83% Tomatometer 53 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
A German army deserter finds a Nazi captain's abandoned uniform during the final weeks of World War II. Emboldened by the authority it suddenly grants him, he amasses a band of stragglers that cedes to his every command -- despite the suspicions of some. Citing direct orders from Hitler himself, he soon takes command of a camp that holds German soldiers accused of desertion -- and begins to dispense harsh justice.
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The Captain

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The Captain

What to Know

Critics Consensus

The Captain makes chillingly persuasive points about the dark side of human nature -- and underscores how little certain tendencies ever really change.

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Critics Reviews

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J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Mar 11, 2020
Director Robert Schwentke shoots in black and white, yet the story is strictly black, giving little insight into the cruel, impressively coolheaded Herold (Max Hubacher) except that he's incensed at the German retreat. Go to Full Review
April Wolfe Village Voice Oct 22, 2018
Hubacher's performance is a masterful physical feat. Go to Full Review
Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Sep 22, 2018
5/5
Captures the moment when fear and chaos bite and the ordered military existence crumbles into savagery and base urges. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Every Movie Has a Lesson Jul 17, 2025
4/5
The events portrayed are so imprudently berserk that it borders on unbelievable farce, despite its cited historical inspiration of the man who performed these acts before he was even 21 years old. Go to Full Review
Dominic Griffin Spectrum Culture Jul 17, 2019
2.75/5
Schwentke's made one of the best films of his career here, but it still winds up a superficial exercise. Go to Full Review
Peter Sobczynski eFilmCritic.com Feb 21, 2019
When it is all said and done, it is the kind of film that one can easily shrug off when it is over, something that one might think would be impossible given the source material. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Ron S Mar 25, 2019 True story. In the last days of WWII, a 19-year old German deserter dons a high-ranking officer's uniform and passes himself off as an adjutant to Hitler. The power goes to his head. And the killings begin. Much more than a psychological study of how power can corrupt one man, this is also the story of how one man's power and corruption can be used by others to commit their own corrupt acts. In that sense, this movie is a metaphor for how Hitler enabled the barbarity of Germany's worst impulses during WWII. Outstanding performances, great casting, stunning black and white cinematography, and a gripping story that leaves you gasping at its audacity and implications. Not one you'll easily forget. DON'T MISS THE BRILLIANT CLOSING CREDITS! 9/10 See more
Leia P Feb 28, 2019 Movie inspired apparently by real facts which seems like a waste of time in the first dozen minutes but is in fact a grotesque spectacle of human capabilities in what was the so called Great War beyond the flamboyant American propaganda movies. Weird and captivating till the last scene. See more
George G Feb 23, 2019 Brilliant, bold, beautiful, and fresh as all hell. Probably the best Nazi film ever made.
Draco S Jan 24, 2019 Oh captain. Set in the final two weeks of World War II, this is about a Nazi deserter (Max Hubacher). He barely escapes with his own life, but his luck may be about to change. He stumbles upon a captain's uniform, and the clothes fit decently enough. He starts to impersonate an officer, only to find himself starting to become the awfulness that was the reason why he ran away in the first place. Now this was another one of those recommendations that I got from a credible source, and the plot description really grabbed me. Breaking it down to basics, it sounds like something that Tarantino would direct. Even though I am a fan, I'm glad that it is Robert Schwentke in the director's chair, because this is exactly the movie that it is supposed to be. Now this really doesn't waste any time messing around, and it launches you right into it with a foot chase. It keeps that tension high throughout the entire film, and it does a really good job of working different angles to the story. This man has to play the part, and he always takes and extra two seconds sizing someone up. There is always that uncertainty on who has him figured out, as the outfit he is advertising isn't exactly a perfect fit. Then there is the morality behind it all. You have to decide what that tipping point is for you; when does it stop being "doing what it takes to survive" and start to become truly monstrous. Only you can make that call. You will assuredly get there, though, as it does breach a territory of being atrocious; these are war crimes we are talking about, and you will cover your mouth in shock. Like most war movies out there, this is a lot to deal with, so I don't know if I will ever go back and revisit this. I was even more flabbergasted when this was wrapping up, because apparently this was actually a true story that I had no idea existed, which makes it all the more horrifying. I like the craft behind this and the minimalist soundtrack is effective when it is used. It's a really worthwhile movie if you can stomach it. Watch it if you can, but I totally get it if this isn't your thing. See more
Abraham W Jan 17, 2019 A very difficult watch, but compelling as it is an unbelievable story based on facts. Hubacher is one for the future, but I hope he gets some lighter source material for his next project. The whole premise is a decent into hades. See more
Harry W Jan 2, 2019 It will be heartbreaking movie about war. All war movies we are watching together with my friends every weekend using boxxy software and getting a good vibes. See more
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The Captain

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis A German army deserter finds a Nazi captain's abandoned uniform during the final weeks of World War II. Emboldened by the authority it suddenly grants him, he amasses a band of stragglers that cedes to his every command -- despite the suspicions of some. Citing direct orders from Hitler himself, he soon takes command of a camp that holds German soldiers accused of desertion -- and begins to dispense harsh justice.
Director
Robert Schwentke
Producer
Frieder Schlaich, Irene von Alberti
Screenwriter
Robert Schwentke
Distributor
Music Box Films
Production Co
Alfama Films, Opus Film, Filmgalerie 451
Genre
History, Drama, War
Original Language
German
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 27, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 27, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA)
$108.6K
Runtime
1h 58m
Aspect Ratio
Scope (2.35:1)
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