The Captain

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The Captain

Released Jul 27, 2018

1h 58m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

85%

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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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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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

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.

Mar 11, 2020

Full Review

April Wolfe

Village Voice

Hubacher's performance is a masterful physical feat.

Oct 22, 2018

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Captures the moment when fear and chaos bite and the ordered military existence crumbles into savagery and base urges.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 22, 2018

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

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.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 17, 2025

Full Review

Dominic Griffin

Spectrum Culture

Schwentke's made one of the best films of his career here, but it still winds up a superficial exercise.

Rated: 2.75/5

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

Peter Sobczynski

eFilmCritic.com

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.

Feb 21, 2019

Full Review

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Antonius B

A good film worth a watch.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/23/25

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Donnie D

Definitely watch, worth your time. In a sea of garbage, this movie stands out. Very disturbing of course, but, very well acted and fascinating story.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

06/05/25

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Evan B

A stark examination of the disturbing mystique of power and violence have when the world around you seems to be collapsing. That this is based on true events deepens the film's sense of carnivalesque unease. Recommended for anyone interested in WWII or the evil that war unleashes in human nature.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/25

Full Review

Pieter R

A dark and riveting story. Watch until the end, the sequence that runs under the end credits is truly chilling and underscores the message (and therefore warning) that this excellent film conveys.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/15/24

Full Review

Craig B

Quite an intriguing war drama based on a true story. Very bleak, violent and quite confronting at times. War movie buffs should get something out of this interesting flick.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

08/16/24

Full Review

Ty N

This movie is absolutely dark.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/17/24

Full Review

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Robert Schwentke

Director

Max Hubacher

Willi Herold

Milan Peschel

Freytag

Frederick Lau

Kipinski

Waldemar Kobus

Lagerleiter Hansen

Alexander Fehling

Hauptmann Junker

The Captain: Trailer 1

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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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