The Exception

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2:18

The Exception

R

Released Jun 2, 2017

1h 47m

History

Drama

War

Romance

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Popcornmeter

75%

Tomatometer

61 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

German soldier Stefan Brandt goes on a mission to investigate exiled German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Kaiser lives in a secluded mansion in the Netherlands, and as Germany is taking over Holland, the country's authorities are concerned that Dutch spies may be watching the Kaiser. As Brandt begins to infiltrate the Kaiser's life in search of clues, he finds himself drawn into an unexpected and passionate romance with Mieke, one of the Kaiser's maids.

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Critics Consensus

The Exception (The Kaiser's Last Kiss) elegantly blends well-dressed period romance and war drama into a solidly crafted story further elevated by Christopher Plummer's excellent work and the efforts of a talented supporting cast.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Philandering Nazis, saucy servants, preposterous subterfuge — there's a touch of 'Allo 'Allo! in this espionage wartime thriller.

Oct 13, 2022

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

The ridiculousness levels are very high.

Rated: 2/5

Sep 29, 2017

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Ed Potton

The Times (UK)

The film moves at a good lick and it's directed with a light touch by David Leveaux.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 29, 2017

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Jason Adams

The Film Experience

The Exception never lets itself drown in the horror that we all know's just off-screen

Jan 14, 2022

Full Review

Kip Mooney

Fresh Fiction

A perfectly adequate World War II story that features one tremendous performance and little else.

Rated: B-

Aug 10, 2021

Full Review

Emma Simmonds

The List

Fuelled by strong performances and suspense, The Exception is persuasive in its belief that even the most casual cruelty can have potentially devastating consequences.

Rated: 3/5

Jan 18, 2021

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Steve C

A predictable ending. Their romance is based on doing X rated activity while she insists that they can still do their duty too.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

07/29/25

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Paul G

Very poor. I have no idea why Lilly James and Christopher Plummer agreed to do this what seems like a low budget, poorly made film. The romance seems very forced, the ending poor. Nothing here worth watching.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

12/29/24

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Audience Member

I loved this movie. Two strong hearts, minds and wills. Great cast. Beautiful love story.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/19/24

Full Review

LetÃcia D

I loved its story, its cast, the performances, but the open ending left me with doubts, I want to hope for a happy ending but times were different back then. Lily James and Jai Courtney are the couple with the most chemistry I've ever seen, I want more films of them together as a couple 💖

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

Full Review

Audience Member

Instead of creating a close portrayal of Kaiser Wilhelm II, with one of the absolute best acting performers in the business in a true leading role, The Exception makers got carried away into a romantic soapish kind of secret agent, and not particularly exciting WW2 thriller, where the actual historical events play a very diminshed part. The result is that the total just ends up with quite a lot less of both, neither good history or fiction. Nevertheless, though it didn't really become one of his last great film roles, Christopher Plummer still stands out and saves the day.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

farah r

The Exception tells an interesting story through the outstanding performances of its talented cast supported by beautiful cinematography and costume design. This period drama captures the essence of the time in which it's set by being attentive to the details in all aspects. It also succeeds in highlighting the drama, mystery, and romance of its plot.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

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David Leveaux

Director

Lily James

Mieke de Jong

Jai Courtney

Capt. Stefan Brandt

Christopher Plummer

Kaiser Wilhelm II

Eddie Marsan

Heinrich Himmler

Ben Daniels

Col. Sigurd von Ilsemann

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The Exception: Trailer 1

2:18

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Synopsis

German soldier Stefan Brandt goes on a mission to investigate exiled German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II. The Kaiser lives in a secluded mansion in the Netherlands, and as Germany is taking over Holland, the country's authorities are concerned that Dutch spies may be watching the Kaiser. As Brandt begins to infiltrate the Kaiser's life in search of clues, he finds himself drawn into an unexpected and passionate romance with Mieke, one of the Kaiser's maids.

Director: David Leveaux
Producer: Lou Pitt, Judy Tossell
Screenwriter: Simon Burke
Distributor: A24
Production Co: Ostar Productions
Rating: R (Graphic Nudity|Brief Violence|Language|Sexuality)
Genre: History, Drama, War, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 2, 2017, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 30, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $708.0K
Runtime: 1h 47m

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