The Rack

The central figure whose wartime torture and subsequent confession drive the courtroom drama. He oscillates between guilt and justification, ultimately revealing the moral complexity of his actions. His testimony exposes the harrowing conditions of captivity and the personal cost of choosing survival under extreme pressure.

Pete's widow and sister-in-law to Hall, she embodies the strain of wartime loss and the uneasy homecoming. Her presence at the trial contextually highlights how personal grief intersects with public judgment. She also serves as a conduit for the family’s emotional stakes outside the courtroom.

The retired colonel and father of Hall, Sr. embodies the authority and expectation of military lineage. His initial reluctance to face the truth shifts toward a devastating moment of confrontation and eventual forgiveness. His reactions frame the emotional cost of wartime loyalties on familial honor.

The defense attorney who persuades Hall to take the stand and explain his actions. Wasnick embodies professional duty, offering a clear-eyed, procedural approach to a morally fraught scenario. His guidance steers the courtroom toward truth, even when that truth is painful.

The prosecuting officer who lays out eyewitness testimony and questions Hall's loyalty. His role personifies the drive to assign clear moral and legal responsibility. Moulton’s questions force Hall to confront the consequences of his wartime decisions in public.

A fellow POW and decorated officer whose scars symbolize the brutality of captivity. Miller’s testimony questions Hall’s credibility but also humanizes the shared suffering among servicemen. His presence adds weight to the debate over what constitutes loyalty under torture.

A senior officer and associate of Hall, Sr., who is surprised by the homecoming and the ensuing controversy. Smith’s role hints at the broader military culture and its expectations during a time of crisis. He contributes to the atmosphere of institutional scrutiny surrounding the case.

A confidante to Aggie who embodies the support network surrounding the Hall family. Her perspective helps illustrate the social dynamics at the base and in the community as the trial unfolds. She provides a human counterpoint to the courtroom proceedings.