Hart's War: Critic Reviews

An earnest racial-issues picture that might have gotten respectful critical praise in a different era -- say, the '60s.

You'll get the enjoyable basic minimum. But not a whit more.

More or less self-destructs in a ridiculous last few minutes when it becomes a noble sacrifice-o-rama.

We're situated in that familiar showbiz intersection of Hollywood and Rhine.

Reaches for more than it can handle, but it's well-acted and earnest in its intentions.

An exciting, thoughtful and adrenaline-pumping war picture that is provocative and different.

As an actor's showcase, Hart's War has much to recommend it, even if the top-billed Willis is not the most impressive player. As a story of dramatic enlightenment, the screenplay by Billy Ray and Terry George leaves something to be desired.

Big WWII drama about honor, courage and sacrifice.

Nationality, race and politics clash in unexpected ways in this well-directed and acted but extremely old-fashioned prison drama that recalls genre film sof the 1950s and 1960s.

In the ever-increasing onslaught of war movies, it stands head and shoulders above most of the competition.

This earnest WWII escape story throws in a courtroom drama, but to nobody's advantage.

'Hart's War' is a perfect example of a film that remains anchored in mediocrity from beginning to end. It plods along like a chronic asthmatic, meandering to a conclusion that's both irritating and implausible.

...Suitably gritty and intense...

It's hard to know whether or not to recommend this film because for every thing it does right there's at least one and occasionally two things it gets ever so wrong.

Engaging thriller combines military movie genres and succeeds as more than the sum of its well-oiled parts.

Paint-by-numbers claptrap.

As old-fashioned as it can get, a throwback to cinema's Golden Age and a tribute to the flawed, guilty human beings we call heroes.

As an American propagandistic attempt to market patriotism (or courage, or honor), it is arguably successful; by its own merits it is merely decent.

The movie's surplus of male-fraternizing never conveys that these Americans are under imminent danger and stress.

Hart's War is an absorbing courtroom drama that gives Farrell the chance to show off his star quality although the ending disappoints.

It makes a few fundamental mistakes along the way--mostly due to Willis' star power--but it's still thoroughly entertaining

Proves a servicable World War II drama that can't totally hide its contrivances, but it at least calls attention to a problem Hollywood too long has ignored.

Starts out strongly before quickly losing its focus, point and purpose in a mess of mixed messages, over-blown drama and Bruce Willis with a scar.

A perfectly respectable, perfectly inoffensive, easily forgettable film.

A compact story told with focus and assurance.