Hart's War

On December 16, 1944, First Lieutenant Thomas Hart, played by Colin Farrell, is captured by German commandos during the Battle of the Bulge. Taken to a local prison, he faces the harsh reality of captivity without his boots, leaving him vulnerable to the winter cold.

In his cold cell, Hart is coerced by German interrogators to reveal critical intelligence. The threat of frostbite and pneumonia adds to his desperation as he struggles to maintain his composure.

Hart and a group of American soldiers are loaded onto a train bound for a nearby prisoner of war camp. The journey takes a tragic turn due to poor visibility, as the letters POW, obscured by snow, are not seen by friendly aircraft.

During the transport, a squadron of P-51 Mustangs mistakenly attacks the train. This incident results in several POWs being killed, prompting the surviving soldiers to spell out 'POW' with their bodies in a desperate plea for help.

Upon arrival at the POW camp, Hart meets Colonel William McNamara, portrayed by Bruce Willis. During the debriefing, Hart denies any cooperation with the Germans, but McNamara remains skeptical due to Hart's previous ordeal.

McNamara decides to distance Hart from the other officers by assigning him to the barracks for enlisted men. This decision heightens the tension between Hart and McNamara, impacting Hart's ability to cope with his captivity.

The camp sees the arrival of Second Lieutenants Lincoln A. Scott and Lamar T. Archer, the only Black officers there. Their presence is quickly challenged by Staff Sergeant Vic W. Bedford, who exhibits open racism, threatening the safety of the newcomers.

Following a tragic incident where a spike is found in Archer's bunk, the Germans seize him and execute him for allegedly trying to escape. This wrongful act escalates the already tense atmosphere in the camp.

When Bedford is later found dead, Lieutenant Scott becomes the prime suspect, accused of revenge for Archer's execution. Hart is reluctantly pulled into the situation, leveraging his legal background to defend Scott.

With the trial set in motion, McNamara assigns Hart to defend Scott amidst rising tensions in the camp. Hart's legal expertise puts him at odds with McNamara, complicating their already fraught relationship.

The courtroom atmosphere intensifies as Visser hands Hart a manual on US Army court-martial procedures. The tension climaxes when Scott delivers a poignant testimony, showcasing the deep injustice faced by Black soldiers in the armed forces.

During the proceedings, Hart discovers a secret tunnel designed for an escape. This shocking revelation reveals that McNamara intended it as a distraction while prioritizing military strategy over individual lives.

As the trial nears its conclusion, chaos erupts when McNamara and 34 men pretend to be ill to facilitate their escape. In a climatic moment, Hart claims responsibility for Bedford's death during his closing arguments.

In a stirring moment of selflessness, McNamara returns to the camp to take the blame for Hart's assertion. His brave act occurs amid the turmoil as an explosion signals the approach of chaos nearby.

Three months after McNamara's sacrifice, German forces surrender to the Allies. The liberation of the prison camp marks a significant moment of relief and hope for the surviving POWs, closing a painful chapter of their lives.