Search - King & Country on DVD

Content Advisory: Questionable for Children Movie Release: 1964 DVD Release: 08/29/2000 Format: DVD - Black and White Audio Tracks: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 26 mins Studio: Vci Video Total Copies: 1 Genres: Drama, Psychological Drama, Anti-War Film

King and Country was adapted by Evan Jones from John Wilson's play Hamp. Misfit World War I British soldier Tom Courtenay, on trial for desertion, is defended by martinet officer Dirk Bogarde. Disgusted by the assignment, Bogarde wearily asks the dullwitted Courtenay the reasons for his actions. Courtenay replies that, after being the sole survivor of a battle and discovering that his wife had been cheating on him while he was serving his country, he didn't see any purpose in going on; thus, he "went for a little walk". Bogarde's dislike of his client melts into sympathy, which in turn leads to temporary indignation over the manner in which the average enlisted man is treated by his aristocratic superiors. Despite his pleas for leniency, Bogarde's client is sentenced to be shot; after all, an example must be made. On the day of the execution, the men on the firing squad are so drunk that they're unable to carry out the sentence. Once more incensed by the "rabble" that he's forced to deal with, Bogarde takes the law into his own hands. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dirk Bogarde - Capt. Hargreaves
Tom Courtenay - Private Hamp
Leo McKern - Capt. O'Sullivan
Barry Foster - Lieutenant Webb
James Villiers - Capt. Midgley

This powerful anti-war drama from director Joseph Losey -- which features superb performances from Dirk Bogarde and Tom Courtenay -- had been given a simple presentation for its release on North American DVD. King and Country has been transferred to disc in its original full-frame aspect ratio of 1.33:1 and the audio has been mastered in Dolby Digital Mono. The dialogue is in English, with no multiple-language options included with this edition. As a bonus, this disc features text biographies of the key cast members. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide