There is a feeling of artificiality to the conflict between the two Oxford chums (Leslie Howard and Douglas Fairbanks Jr.) who are both in love with the same woman (Margaret Lindsay) and the conflicts which arise when this is revealed while they are prisoners of the Germans during World War I. The opening is truly exciting, an escape attempt where the men seem to be on their way to freedom. They are put into solitary confinement, released only when a new commandant (Paul Lukas) makes an agreement with their leader (Howard). Lukas is by far the most interesting character in the film, giving a look into a truly decent character who just happens to be German. His kindness to the prisoners is reflected by his agreement to give the men smaller shared quarters rather than large dorms and more freedoms, showing a perspective not often shown in films on the enemy during the two World Wars.
A plot line involving the rape and murder of a local girl by an obviously deranged prisoner is quite disturbing and feels forced as Fairbanks is accused of the murder and sentenced to death. This wraps up the plot line a bit too neatly as if someone was writing the script from a chart of predictable ideas rather than really giving us an in-depth story of what life was like at a prisoner of war camp. The whole story of these two friends being at conflict because of Howard's wife who really loves Fairbanks is too predictable. The final shot, though, is totally unforgettable.
A plot line involving the rape and murder of a local girl by an obviously deranged prisoner is quite disturbing and feels forced as Fairbanks is accused of the murder and sentenced to death. This wraps up the plot line a bit too neatly as if someone was writing the script from a chart of predictable ideas rather than really giving us an in-depth story of what life was like at a prisoner of war camp. The whole story of these two friends being at conflict because of Howard's wife who really loves Fairbanks is too predictable. The final shot, though, is totally unforgettable.