2018·War·1h 58m
7.2
★
Germany, 1945. Soldier Willi Herold, a deserter of the German army, stumbles into a uniform of a Nazi captain abandoned during the last and desperate weeks of the Third Reich. Newly emboldened by the allure of a suit that he has stolen only to stay warm, Willi discovers that many Germans will follow the leader, whoever he is.
Directed by Robert Schwentke
prisoner
desertion
world war ii
nazi officer
impersonator
black and white
army captain
third reich (iii reich 1933-45)
1940s
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Max Hubacher
Herold
Milan Peschel
Freytag
Frederick Lau
Kipinski
Alexander Fehling
Junker
Britta Hammelstein
Gerda
Waldemar Kobus
Hansen
Sebastian Rudolph
Corporal Paul
Marko Dyrlich
Brockhoff
Alexander Hörbe
Schnabel Wirt
Sascha Alexander Geršak
Sichner
Blerim Destani
Dahler-Kaufmann
Haymon Maria Buttinger
Dr. Kremer
Crew
Robert Schwentke
Director
Robert Schwentke
Writer
Martin Todsharow
Original Music Composer
Florian Ballhaus
Director of Photography
Paulo Branco
Co-Producer
Daniel Hetzer
Executive Producer
Ewa Puszczyńska
Co-Producer
Paulo Branco
Producer
Martin Todsharow
Music Supervisor
Martin Langenbach
Foley Artist
Martin Steyer
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Jörn Großhans
Visual Effects Supervisor
Popular Reviews
93 reviews
Kali
6.0★ · 04/03/26
Hey can I play god?!
Hey can I play god?!
Farhana
10.0★ · 03/07/26
he's just annoying as hell
he's just annoying as hell
Viktor Stojković
9.0★ · 02/16/26
This is an amazing portrayal of how a human can destroy himself and how far he is going to push in order to make other believe a lie. At some point, he is even having fun being who he actually isnt.
This is an amazing portrayal of how a human can destroy himself and how far he is going to push in order to make other believe a lie. At some point, he is even having fun being who he actually isnt.
ara
9.0★ · 12/02/25
I'm honestly surprised this movie isn't more popular with war film fans?? It's stunning all around and incredibly memorable, and interestingly enough based on a true story
The main performance is stellar. Max Hubacher really plays into this idea of a man who is oscillating between pathetic and small, trying to keep up with his own lies, and someone who commands attention and fear from others. In my opinion, he really mastered facial expressions, down to subtleties in the eyebrows. When the character, Herold, struggled to keep up his story under pressure and scrutiny, so too did Max Hubacher's face.
I also found it incredibly interesting how often this idea of size was used as symbolism of sorts. Herold is not tall, but when he only encounters men he sees as his inferiors and subordinates and believes he can control, he always appears to be looking down on them. Later, when his story and authority face scrutiny from actual higher-ups, the choice to cast taller, larger actors feels very deliberate. They tower over Herold and emphasize his reality— he's just a small man masquerading as someone of importance. Additionally, there are many stunningly cinematic shots captured from afar, making Herold look incredibly small and insignificant within his surroundings.
Black and white was also a good choice for this film. I felt that it really fit and captured the story wonderfully. The shot composition felt very meticulous and intentional every step of the way. I also appreciated the recurring symbols, like that of the car (which I could go into more but I've already yapped a lot)
All that to say it was shocking and interesting, well-shot, and just generally really fascinating 🙂↕️
The main performance is stellar. Max Hubacher really plays into this idea of a man who is oscillating between pathetic and small, trying to keep up with his own lies, and someone who commands attention and fear from others. In my opinion, he really mastered facial expressions, down to subtleties in the eyebrows. When the character, Herold, struggled to keep up his story under pressure and scrutiny, so too did Max Hubacher's face.
I also found it incredibly interesting how often this idea of size was used as symbolism of sorts. Herold is not tall, but when he only encounters men he sees as his inferiors and subordinates and believes he can control, he always appears to be looking down on them. Later, when his story and authority face scrutiny from actual higher-ups, the choice to cast taller, larger actors feels very deliberate. They tower over Herold and emphasize his reality— he's just a small man masquerading as someone of importance. Additionally, there are many stunningly cinematic shots captured from afar, making Herold look incredibly small and insignificant within his surroundings.
Black and white was also a good choice for this film. I felt that it really fit and captured the story wonderfully. The shot composition felt very meticulous and intentional every step of the way. I also appreciated the recurring symbols, like that of the car (which I could go into more but I've already yapped a lot)
All that to say it was shocking and interesting, well-shot, and just generally really fascinating 🙂↕️
I'm honestly surprised this movie isn't more popular with war film fans?? It's stunning all around and incredibly memorable, and interestingly enough based on a true story
The main performance is stellar. Max Hubacher really plays into this idea of a man who is oscillating between pathetic and small, trying to keep up with his own lies, and someone who commands attention and fear from others. In my opinion, he really mastered facial expressions, down to subtleties in the eyebrows. When the character, Herold, struggled to keep up his story under pressure and scrutiny, so too did Max Hubacher's face.
I also found it incredibly interesting how often this idea of size was used as symbolism of sorts. Herold is not tall, but when he only encounters men he sees as his inferiors and subordinates and believes he can control, he always appears to be looking down on them. Later, when his story and authority face scrutiny from actual higher-ups, the choice to cast taller, larger actors feels very deliberate. They tower over Herold and emphasize his reality— he's just a small man masquerading as someone of importance. Additionally, there are many stunningly cinematic shots captured from afar, making Herold look incredibly small and insignificant within his surroundings.
Black and white was also a good choice for this film. I felt that it really fit and captured the story wonderfully. The shot composition felt very meticulous and intentional every step of the way. I also appreciated the recurring symbols, like that of the car (which I could go into more but I've already yapped a lot)
All that to say it was shocking and interesting, well-shot, and just generally really fascinating 🙂↕️
The main performance is stellar. Max Hubacher really plays into this idea of a man who is oscillating between pathetic and small, trying to keep up with his own lies, and someone who commands attention and fear from others. In my opinion, he really mastered facial expressions, down to subtleties in the eyebrows. When the character, Herold, struggled to keep up his story under pressure and scrutiny, so too did Max Hubacher's face.
I also found it incredibly interesting how often this idea of size was used as symbolism of sorts. Herold is not tall, but when he only encounters men he sees as his inferiors and subordinates and believes he can control, he always appears to be looking down on them. Later, when his story and authority face scrutiny from actual higher-ups, the choice to cast taller, larger actors feels very deliberate. They tower over Herold and emphasize his reality— he's just a small man masquerading as someone of importance. Additionally, there are many stunningly cinematic shots captured from afar, making Herold look incredibly small and insignificant within his surroundings.
Black and white was also a good choice for this film. I felt that it really fit and captured the story wonderfully. The shot composition felt very meticulous and intentional every step of the way. I also appreciated the recurring symbols, like that of the car (which I could go into more but I've already yapped a lot)
All that to say it was shocking and interesting, well-shot, and just generally really fascinating 🙂↕️
Leon
7.0★ · 08/30/25
good movie that shows how fucked up the last weeks / days of WW II were. really liked this constant feeling of "ok now ppl know he's actually not a captain" and then they don't find out or just don't question it.
good movie that shows how fucked up the last weeks / days of WW II were. really liked this constant feeling of "ok now ppl know he's actually not a captain" and then they don't find out or just don't question it.