The Captain

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The Captain

2018

1h 58m

History

Drama

War

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A German army deserter finds a Nazi captain's abandoned uniform during the final weeks of World War II. Emboldened by the authority it suddenly grants him, he amasses a band of stragglers that cedes to his every command -- despite the suspicions of some. Citing direct orders from Hitler himself, he soon takes command of a camp that holds German soldiers accused of desertion -- and begins to dispense harsh justice.

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Critics Consensus

The Captain makes chillingly persuasive points about the dark side of human nature -- and underscores how little certain tendencies ever really change.

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J. R. Jones

Chicago Reader

03/11/2020

Director Robert Schwentke shoots in black and white, yet the story is strictly black, giving little insight into the cruel, impressively coolheaded Herold (Max Hubacher) except that he's incensed at the German retreat.

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April Wolfe

Village Voice

10/22/2018

Hubacher's performance is a masterful physical feat.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

09/22/2018

5/5

Captures the moment when fear and chaos bite and the ordered military existence crumbles into savagery and base urges.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

07/17/2025

4/5

The events portrayed are so imprudently berserk that it borders on unbelievable farce, despite its cited historical inspiration of the man who performed these acts before he was even 21 years old.

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Dominic Griffin

Spectrum Culture

07/17/2019

2.75/5

Schwentke's made one of the best films of his career here, but it still winds up a superficial exercise.

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Peter Sobczynski

eFilmCritic.com

02/21/2019

When it is all said and done, it is the kind of film that one can easily shrug off when it is over, something that one might think would be impossible given the source material.

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Jacob B

@RT48293763 Aug 27

A beautiful and violent film that’s based on a true story. Set in the final days of the Third Reich, the story of a private who disguises himself as a captain and goes on a murderous rampage. I feel it almost acts as a microcosm of German society at the time: are monsters born or do we each have a monstrous side that given an opportunity and/or power, what would we do?

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Par H

@Parhwy Apr 21

The Captain (2017) is a 120-minute-long German drama I saw on Prime in April 2026. Black and white historical drama, which is brutal. Based on a true story. Set two weeks before the German capitulation in April 1945. We focus on one soldier and his journey to survive the Germany military’s implosion. Some of the scenes reminded me of that scene in Goodfellas where Joe Pesci’s character does that murderous jokester act: he might kill you, now, he might kill you, later, or he may be joking, ha ha ha, who knows? Not you! This is not a joking comparison. By comparison, there is laughter in this film; it is not based on fun or humour, there is always fear, nervousness, tension beside, underneath it. Rewatch? Not soon. Recommend? Yes. 7/10.

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Antonius B

@RT62175942 07/22/2025

A good film worth a watch.

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Donnie D

@Stevie 06/05/2025

Definitely watch, worth your time. In a sea of garbage, this movie stands out. Very disturbing of course, but, very well acted and fascinating story.

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Evan B

@RT44517462 02/11/2025

A stark examination of the disturbing mystique of power and violence have when the world around you seems to be collapsing. That this is based on true events deepens the film's sense of carnivalesque unease. Recommended for anyone interested in WWII or the evil that war unleashes in human nature.

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Pieter R

@RT62334062 11/15/2024

A dark and riveting story. Watch until the end, the sequence that runs under the end credits is truly chilling and underscores the message (and therefore warning) that this excellent film conveys.

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Robert Schwentke

Director

Max Hubacher

Willi Herold

Milan Peschel

Freytag

Frederick Lau

Kipinski

Waldemar Kobus

Lagerleiter Hansen

Alexander Fehling

Hauptmann Junker

Mission: Impossible – Fallout Is Certified Fresh

The Captain: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

A German army deserter finds a Nazi captain's abandoned uniform during the final weeks of World War II. Emboldened by the authority it suddenly grants him, he amasses a band of stragglers that cedes to his every command -- despite the suspicions of some. Citing direct orders from Hitler himself, he soon takes command of a camp that holds German soldiers accused of desertion -- and begins to dispense harsh justice.

Director: Robert Schwentke
Producer: Frieder Schlaich, Irene von Alberti
Screenwriter: Robert Schwentke
Distributor: Music Box Films
Production Co: Alfama Films, Opus Film, Filmgalerie 451
Genre: History, Drama, War
Original Language: German
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 27, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 27, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $108.6K
Runtime: 1h 58m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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