Hart's War (2002)

Starring: Bruce Willis, Colin Farrell, Terence Howard
Director: Gregory Hoblit

Rating: R

Studio: MGM

Review Posted: 3.17.02

Spoilers: Minor

Rating: 3/4

By Dan Peters.

Hart's War is being advertised as a war film, but it's not really that. Yes, it does take place in a Nazi Concentration Camp during World War II, but this film doesn't necessarily deal with the war that's going on. There are a few action scenes, but not many. Therefore, if you're looking for a war movie with a lot of combat, check out Black Hawk Down, because Hart's War is essentially a courtroom drama.

I've never been a big fan of courtroom dramas (most of them are tedious, or just plain boring), but Hart's War manages to be an involving, and at times, powerful experience. The movie deals with the issues of racism and how unfairly blacks were treated. It does this well, partially in thanks to an overall good script, and some very good performances by Colin Farrell, Bruce Willis, and Terrence Howard.

Lieutenant Tommy Hart (Farrell) was a Harvard law student before enlisting to fight in the war. After he is captured by the Nazis and tortured until he finally tells them where the location of a crucial fuel dump is, he is sent to Stalag VIA, a Nazi POW/concentration camp. There he meets Lt. William McNamara (Willis). McNamara assigns Hart to bunk with the enlisted men, instead of the officers. Shortly after, two black men, Lt. Lincoln Scott (Terrence D. Howard) and Lamar Archer (Vicellous Shannon) arrive, but they are not especially welcomed. One man that really seems to hate them is Bedford (Cole Hauser). After Archer is killed, Bedford turns up dead himself, and Scott becomes the prime suspect. This triggers the courtroom drama in which Hart, believing Scott is innocent, takes on the defense in court.

Hart's War is a very involving experience, thanks to a very good performance by Farrell (I'm willing to forgive him for American Outlaws in which he played Jesse James). Tommy Hart is a very likable character and we're rooting for him to win the case. Bruce Willis is also good as a General, but is kind of a shady character. Terrence Howard is also good.

While the movie is above average from what we would normally find this time of year, it does have its shortcomings. First of all, the film is a little bit too predictable and there aren't that many surprises. Second, the ending was a little on the weak side and it didn't leave me satisfied. Overall, however, Hart's War is a good way to spend two hours. You shouldn't be disappointed.

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