Capture

While a bit mixed on the premise, which sounded sort of intriguing but familiar ground and could easily be predictable and hokey if not executed well, that didn't stop me from seeing 'Captured' anyway. Namely because Leslie Howard, Douglas Fairbanks Jr and Paul Lukas all gave great performances in other films, Howard having the highest number of them of the three. Am not quite as familiar with Margaret Lindsay.

'Captured' turned out to be in my view an above average if not essential film if not a great one, that does generally deserve to be better known. It can be easily criticised, with there being some drawbacks that bring the film down quite a bit. But if anybody finds entertainment value, or any kind of value, in 'Captured' that is also every bit as understandable, as there are some very good things that just about edge out the drawbacks.

The not so good things will be mentioned first. The story can be pretty far-fetched with a pace that has the odd tendency to creak. The ending is abrupt and wraps things up rather too neatly, despite a quite tense build up.

Some of the dialogue is less than great, at its worst such as in the more romantic parts in the flashbacks it can be laughably bad and unintentionally awkward. Descending too into melodrama that can be overwrought and cliche ridden.

On the other hand, 'Captured' is slickly shot and although one can tell somewhat that the sets are studio backlot ones, they don't look cheap and the moody lighting gives a sinister atmosphere when needed. The music avoids over-scoring and there are moments of competent direction in namely the build up to the end (less so in the more romantic moments).

Although the dialogue is heavily flawed, it becomes more thoughtful and suspenseful in the last act. Which is the portion of the film where the film is at its most involving, the climactic fire squad scene is quite powerful and would have had even more impact if the film was wrapped up more believably.

Performances are very good, especially from a gritty and authoritative Howard as the most well defined character in the film. Fairbanks also fares well and is not lightweight or taxed by one of his more dramatic roles. Lukas brings dignity to his role and Lindsay makes the most of an underwritten plot-device role.

In conclusion, above average if not great. 6/10

Always liked both of the principals here, especially Leslie Howard. And this could have been a good war story with the premise of two old buddies reunited in a POW camp and plotting an escape. But it started to lose me when it unfolded, as it turns out that one cuckolded the other when one was pressed into service. Played impeccably by Leslie Howard, Capt. Allison pines for the bride he left behind, which stirs guilt in his best friend, Lt. Digby (Fairbanks), who had an affair with his wife.

Howard carries the picture and Fairbanks is not up to the task as the co-respondent and not in the same acting class with Howard. Fairbanks overreacts each time Howard talks about his wife, and a child could tell something was not right between the two. There is additionally a surreal air about the POW camp, as the men were allowed to build facsimiles of country cottages on the grounds of the camp to simulate home. This fanciful idea was granted by the commandant of the camp, played by a benign Paul Lukas. A couple of rousing fight scenes, but the story was tainted by the aforementioned flaws.

5/10 - The website no longer prints my star ratings.

Obscure WWI Pre-Code Movie Starring Leslie Howard and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. It is a Gritty, Violent, and Compelling POW Story Based on a Novel by Sir Philip Gibbs, a Non-Fiction Chronicler of the Great War and a Liberal Spokesperson of the Era.

This is a Gripping, Downer of a Film (as it should be), Peppered by a Love Triangle that is the Nucleus of the Otherwise Nastiness that Goes On and Besides the Prisoners Plight is What Drives the Story.

The Production is Striking and the Darkness of the Situation is Enhanced by the Almost Exclusive Night-Time Shoot. Very Rare in the Early Thirties.

The Result is a Film that Looks and Feels Different From Others of the Era. The Movie is Bookended with Two Rousing Escape Scenes that are Well Choreographed and Brutal.

Overall, This is an Underseen and Virtually Unknown WWI Film that is Sure to Impress When Discovered.

A somewhat far-fetched plot spoils what could have otherwise been an excellent movie with Leslie Howard and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. in the leading roles. Cast as prisoners in a German POW camp during World War I, Leslie Howard finds out that his wife of just six days has strayed during his two years of captivity -- with his best friend. The film has many of the themes that later POW moves will be known for -- the duty to escape vs. the duty to keep the men safe; how far the leader will go in "collaboration" with the camp commandant; duty and honor vs. personal desire; the juxtaposition of international law within the insanity of war. Paul Lukas as excellent as the commandant. The setting of World War I is interesting because it allows the portrayal of the officers as decent chaps that went to school together who now just happened to be trying to kill each other. The final flying sequence is authentic and worth the price of admission. Recommended.