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Hart's War
Studio: MGM
Year: 2002
Rated: R
Film Length: 135 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 16X9 Enhanced Widescreen (2.35:1)
and Standard (1.33:1) Transfers
Heroes Are Measured By What They Do
As Hart's War was ending its theatrical
run, MGM sent me a very early screener of this
film on DVD. I couldn't review it at the time
because it did not represent the final product.
I did, however, strongly want to talk about the
film because it turned out to be a film I really
enjoyed.
When Lieutenant Thomas Hart (Colin Farrell) arrives
at Stalag 6 A as a prisoner of the Nazis, he’s
weighed down by the guilt of having given away
Allied secrets (under extreme duress) to the Nazis.
The camp is ruled by the brutal Major Wilhelm
Visser (Marcel Iures), and the ranking prisoner
Colonel William McNamara (Bruce Willis), who is
a fourth generation West Point graduate.
Assigned to share the camp barracks with the
lowly enlisted men, Farrell has no control over
his fellow officers who are eager for escape.
Life in the camp is soon disrupted by the arrival
of two black airmen who have been shot down. This
causes tension amongst the white officers who are
are very opposed to living with black officers.
When one of the black pilots is framed and executed,
tensions run high in the camp.
Soon there is an execution, and then a murder, and
then a court martial. Hart, who was studying to be
a lawyer, has to defend a black man -- which, it is
pointed out, wouldn't even be necessary if he were
back in Alabama, because the man would have been
lynched without trial.
Hart's War seems like "Hogan's Heroes" where
the officers aren't cruelly mistreated by their
German captors and the Major running the camp almost
becomes a likeable character.
How is the transfer?
Shot mostly with blue filters, Hart's War
has a very warm look to it. While picture is a
bit soft, there is no video noise and flesh colors
look very natural. You can't help but to be a
bit mesmerized by Alar Kivilo's impressive
cinematography that is well represented by the
film's 2.35:1 ratio. Not much more I can say here
except that the transfer is very good.
The 5.1 Dolby Digital mix has its moments. Though
mostly not an action film, there are a few sequences
such as planes attacking a POW train or swooping
above the Stalag camp that sound very impressive.
Every explosion that happens in this film sent deep
rumbles to my subwoofer. If the volume is high
enough, your room is going to shake. Otherwise,
the rears mostly supply the ambient background
winds of the winter, along with the constant
announcements and/or music over the camp's PA system.
Special Features
 
Hart's War is released as most DVDs should.
It's a 2-sided disc with an anamorphic widescreen
presentation on one side and a full-frame presentation
on the other.
There is a full length audio commentary with
Bruce Willis, Director Gregory Hoblit and Writer
Billy Ray.
Another full-length commentary features Producer
David Foster.
There are 10 deleted scenes on this DVD.
Some of the highlights include:
* The original train sequence where Hart
discovers a soldier who helped him now dead.
* A black-face follies held in the camp theater
provides amusement for the camp officers.
* Want to know what part of the body the
Coronal Ridge is located at? This revalation
in the snowy camp will have you howling.
* During movie night, Archer tells the story
of green men. We find out here that Archer
even knows a bit of German.
* A short extended sequence where Lt. Scott
asks Hart for pen and paper so he can send his
wife and kid a warning.
All these scenes add nothing to the overall
film, generally dragging it down. These scenes
can be played with optional commentary by Director
Gregory Hoblit and Writer Billy Ray.
A small handful of photos make up the Photo
Gallery. These photos are broken down into
Behind The Scenes; The Film; The Set and
my favorite, The Poster Shoot which shows
Willis giving some of his meanest sneers to the
camera.
The film's original theatrical trailer is
included as well as trailers for Stargate SG-1;
Jeremiah and currently playing in theaters,
Windtalkers.
Final Thoughts
Hart's War is sort of a sleeper. It is
by no means a classic movie, nor even a classic
war movie. The film effectively looks at the
issues of honor, racism, and redemption. Through
all of this, the film remains charismatic and thus
becomes an unexpected pleasure.
I would recommend this as a definite rental, and
for those who are daring, may wish to order it
on-line for about $20. Not bad for a decent Bruce
Willis movie -- one I have been wanting to talk
about for the past few months since I first saw it.
Release Date: July 9, 2002
