Watch The Captive Heart

The Captive Heart is a 1946 British war film directed by Basil Dearden and produced by Michael Balcon. The movie revolves around a group of British prisoners of war who are captured by Nazis during World War II. The cast features several notable actors including Michael Redgrave, Rachel Kempson, and Frederick Leister. The story begins with a group of British soldiers being captured by the Nazis during the Battle of Dunkirk in 1940. They are taken to a prison camp in Germany where they are put to work as manual laborers. Among the prisoners is Captain Karel Hasek (played by Redgrave) who is a Czech officer who had escaped to Britain after the German invasion of Czechoslovakia.

Hasek becomes the leader of the British prisoners and forms a tight bond with his fellow inmates. The prisoners undergo several hardships including starvation, disease, and brutal interrogations by the German authorities. Despite the adversity, Hasek remains determined to survive and keep his comrades alive.

As time goes on, Hasek and the other prisoners learn that the war is not going well for the Germans. The prisoners secretly listen to allied radio broadcasts and learn about the progress of the war outside of Germany. Hasek begins to devise a plan to escape from the camp and join the allied forces.

Along the way, Hasek develops a romantic relationship with a British woman named Celia Mitchell (played by Kempson) who is a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force. The two form a deep connection despite the distance between them.

The Captive Heart is a powerful film that portrays the struggles of prisoners of war during World War II. The film accurately depicts the conditions in which prisoners were treated and the brutal nature of the German authorities. The movie is also a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to persevere in times of great adversity.

The performances in the film are exceptional, with Michael Redgrave delivering a standout performance as Captain Karel Hasek. Redgrave portrays the character with a great deal of depth and emotion, capturing both his determination and vulnerability. Rachel Kempson also shines in her performance as Celia Mitchell, delivering a nuanced portrayal of a woman experiencing the emotional toll of war.

Overall, The Captive Heart is a well-crafted film that accurately depicts the hardships of prisoners of war during World War II. The movie is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the ability to overcome adversity in even the most dire of circumstances. It is an important film that highlights the importance of remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by soldiers during times of conflict.

The Captive Heart is a 1946 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.