what's with the trailer?

Rating: Null/10 (28 February 2002)

I just saw this movie and although I went in under duress, I came away having been thoroughly entertained. This movie was nothing like I expected it to be. What studio ad exec came up with that trailer? It has almost nothing to do with the movie I saw. Bruce Willis is the star in name only. (As his is the only "household name" in the cast.) He actually has a supporting role. The star, playing the Hart in the title, is Collin Farrell. An actor apparently thought of so highly despite his having appeared in approx. 3 American films, that he merits 'above the title' billing. I hadn't seen Farrell before, although I have been trying to rent the dvd of "Tigerland" for months. (My local store only seems to have 1 copy and it's always out.) He is very good here. I finally get the "buzz" surrounding him. This film was chock full of good performances, not the least of which was the German camp commander, Maj. Visser. This film is less a war movie than a courtroom drama set in a POW camp. And while court room dramas tend to be pedantic, they also, when done right, can keep you on the edge of your seat. It was directed by Gregory Hoblitt who managed to do just that with "Primal Fear". This movie will lose nothing in the translation if you wait for video or dvd but it will make a dandy Saturday nite rental.