King & Country
Encyclopedia
King and Country is a 1964
British
film
, directed
by American-born director Joseph Losey
, shot in black and white, and starring Dirk Bogarde
and Tom Courtenay
. The film was adapted for the screen by British screenwriter Evan Jones
based on a play by John Wilson and a novel by James Lansdale Hodson.
, in the British trenches
at Passchendaele, an army private
, Arthur Hamp (Tom Courtenay
), is accused of desertion
. He is to be defended at his trial by Capt. Hargreaves (Dirk Bogarde
), an upper-class officer. Hamp had been a volunteer at the outbreak of the war, and was the sole survivor of his company, but then decided to 'go for a walk': he had contemplated walking to his home in London, but after more than 24 hours on the road, he's picked up by the Military Police
and sent back to his unit to face court-martial for desertion.
Hargreaves is initially arrogant towards the simple-minded Hamp but comes to identify with his plight. With testimony from a doctor (Leo McKern
), the soldier must be made an example of in front of the other soldiers. He is found guilty and is shot by a firing squad, but as he is still alive afterwards, he is then shot through the mouth. The action is confined to the mud-entrenched, rat-infested confines of the trenches and barracks. The film shows a grim picture of life in the trenches during the war.
, where the film was also nominated for the Golden Lion
. The film was nominated for four 1965 BAFTA awards, including Best Film.
1964 in film
The year 1964 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 29 - The film Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is released....
British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by American-born director Joseph Losey
Joseph Losey
Joseph Walton Losey was an American theater and film director. After studying in Germany with Bertolt Brecht, Losey returned to the United States, eventually making his way to Hollywood...
, shot in black and white, and starring Dirk Bogarde
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
and Tom Courtenay
Tom Courtenay
Sir Thomas Daniel "Tom" Courtenay is an English actor who came to prominence in the early 1960s with a succession of films including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner , Billy Liar , and Dr. Zhivago . Since the mid-1960s he has been known primarily for his work in the theatre...
. The film was adapted for the screen by British screenwriter Evan Jones
Evan Jones (writer)
Evan Jones is a poet, playwright and screenwriter based in Britain. He was educated in Jamaica, the United States and England...
based on a play by John Wilson and a novel by James Lansdale Hodson.
Synopsis
During World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, in the British trenches
Trench warfare
Trench warfare is a form of occupied fighting lines, consisting largely of trenches, in which troops are largely immune to the enemy's small arms fire and are substantially sheltered from artillery...
at Passchendaele, an army private
Private (rank)
A Private is a soldier of the lowest military rank .In modern military parlance, 'Private' is shortened to 'Pte' in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries and to 'Pvt.' in the United States.Notably both Sir Fitzroy MacLean and Enoch Powell are examples of, rare, rapid career...
, Arthur Hamp (Tom Courtenay
Tom Courtenay
Sir Thomas Daniel "Tom" Courtenay is an English actor who came to prominence in the early 1960s with a succession of films including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner , Billy Liar , and Dr. Zhivago . Since the mid-1960s he has been known primarily for his work in the theatre...
), is accused of desertion
Desertion
In military terminology, desertion is the abandonment of a "duty" or post without permission and is done with the intention of not returning...
. He is to be defended at his trial by Capt. Hargreaves (Dirk Bogarde
Dirk Bogarde
Sir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
), an upper-class officer. Hamp had been a volunteer at the outbreak of the war, and was the sole survivor of his company, but then decided to 'go for a walk': he had contemplated walking to his home in London, but after more than 24 hours on the road, he's picked up by the Military Police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
and sent back to his unit to face court-martial for desertion.
Hargreaves is initially arrogant towards the simple-minded Hamp but comes to identify with his plight. With testimony from a doctor (Leo McKern
Leo McKern
Reginald "Leo" McKern, AO was an Australian-born British actor who appeared in numerous British and Australian television programmes and movies, and more than 200 stage roles.-Early life:...
), the soldier must be made an example of in front of the other soldiers. He is found guilty and is shot by a firing squad, but as he is still alive afterwards, he is then shot through the mouth. The action is confined to the mud-entrenched, rat-infested confines of the trenches and barracks. The film shows a grim picture of life in the trenches during the war.
Cast
- Dirk BogardeDirk BogardeSir Dirk Bogarde was an English actor and novelist. Initially a matinee idol in such films as Doctor in the House and other Rank Organisation pictures, Bogarde later acted in art-house films such as Death in Venice...
as Captain Hargreaves - Tom CourtenayTom CourtenaySir Thomas Daniel "Tom" Courtenay is an English actor who came to prominence in the early 1960s with a succession of films including The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner , Billy Liar , and Dr. Zhivago . Since the mid-1960s he has been known primarily for his work in the theatre...
as Private Arthur Hamp - Leo McKernLeo McKernReginald "Leo" McKern, AO was an Australian-born British actor who appeared in numerous British and Australian television programmes and movies, and more than 200 stage roles.-Early life:...
as Captain O'Sullivan - Barry FosterBarry Foster (actor)Barry Foster was a British actor who appeared in numerous film roles and is known for his leading role as a Dutch detective in the ITV drama series, Van der Valk, which spanned five series over 20 years from 1972....
as Lieutenant Webb - Peter CopleyPeter CopleyPeter Copley was a British television, film and stage actor.-Biography:Copley was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, son of the printmakers, John Copley and Ethel Gabain....
as Colonel - James VilliersJames VilliersJames Michael Hyde Villiers was a British character actor and a familiar face on British television...
as Captain Midgley - Jeremy SpenserJeremy Spenser-Selected filmography:* Kind Hearts and Coronets * The Planter's Wife * Background * Escapade * The Man Who Loved Redheads * It's Great to Be Young * The Prince and the Showgirl...
as Private Sparrow - Barry Justice as Lieutenant Prescott
- Vivian MatalonVivian MatalonVivian Matalon is a British theatre director.Born in Manchester, England, Matalon began his career as an actor in a series of forgettable British films, but his greatest success has been as a director of West End, Broadway, and regional theater productions.Matalon's West End credits include Bus...
as Padre - Keith BuckleyKeith Buckley (actor)Keith Buckley is a British actor who has mostly appeared on television since 1958.Buckley has made some appearances in film and television appearing in The Avengers and Randall and Hopkirk in the 1960s and The New Avengers in the 1970s.-Selected filmography:* Spring and Port Wine * The Pied Piper...
as Corporal of the Guard - Derek PartridgeDerek Partridge-Life:Partridge’s father was a diplomat in the British Foreign Service. In 1943, when he was only seven years old, Partridge and his nanny in Lisbon, Portugal boarded BOAC Flight 777 bound for Bristol, England. Before the flight took off Partridge and his nanny were forced to give up their seats...
as Captain Court Martial
Awards
Tom Courtenay received the award for the Best Actor for his role as Hamp at the 1964 Venice Film FestivalVenice Film Festival
The Venice International Film Festival is the oldest international film festival in the world. Founded by Count Giuseppe Volpi in 1932 as the "Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica", the festival has since taken place every year in late August or early September on the island of the...
, where the film was also nominated for the Golden Lion
Golden Lion
Il Leone d’Oro is the highest prize given to a film at the Venice Film Festival. The prize was introduced in 1949 by the organizing committee and is now regarded as one of the film industry's most distinguished prizes...
. The film was nominated for four 1965 BAFTA awards, including Best Film.