King & Country (1964)

During World War I, an army private is accused of desertion during battle. The officer assigned to defend him at his court-martial finds out there is more to the case than meets the eye.

Director:

Joseph Losey

Writers:

Evan Jones (screenplay), John Wilson (play),

Stars:

Dirk Bogarde, Tom Courtenay, Leo McKern

Nominated for 4 BAFTA Film Awards. Another 2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dirk Bogarde	...	Capt. Hargreaves
Tom Courtenay	...	Pvt. Arthur Hamp
Leo McKern	...	Capt. O'Sullivan
Barry Foster	...	Lt. Webb
Peter Copley	...	Colonel
James Villiers	...	Capt. Midgley
Jeremy Spenser	...	Pvt. Sparrow (as Jeremy Spencer)
Barry Justice	...	Lt. Prescott
Vivian Matalon	...	Padre
Keith Buckley	...	Corporal of the Guard
James Hunter	...	Pvt. Sykes
Jonah Seymour	...	Cpl. Hamilton (MP)
Larry Taylor	...	Sergeant Major
David Cook	...	Pvt. Wilson
Richard Arthure	...	Guard 'Charlie'

Storyline

During World War I, an army private is accused of desertion during battle. The officer assigned to defend him at his court-martial finds out there is more to the case than meets the eye.

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Plot Keywords:

desertion | court martial | officer | military officer | military | 

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Genres:

Drama | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 November 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

För kung och fosterland

Box Office

Budget:

$300,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

BHE Films, Landau / Unger

Technical Specs

Runtime:

89 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The poem - "There's a porpoise close behind me and he's treading on my tail" - that Dirk Bogarde quotes and his CO finished, is from 'The Lobster Quadrille' by Lewis Carroll.

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Goofs

Equipment shadow visible next to the door as the camera pulls back from the colonel's office after having received the messenger's dispatch.

User Reviews

Court marshal for desertion during WW I of a soldier suffering from battle fatigue.

This is a grim portrayal of trench warfare and an officer corps seeking to "set an example" by trying a soldier suffering from battle fatigue for desertion. He has attempted to walk home from France to England after enduring the death of his entire battallion from constant shelling and futile attacks. Scenes shifting from inside the trial and outside in the camp underscore the futility of war and its effects on the men who fight.