ONE DUTY. ONE DESIRE. ONE DECISION.
Some time after the start of World War II, German army captain Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney) is ordered to lead former Emperor Wilhelm II’s (Christopher Plummer) bodyguard in the Netherlands, only to fall in love with his maid (Lily James). Stage director David Leveaux made his film debut with this adaptation of a novel that built a spy story around the last days of the Kaiser. That part of the film provides a degree of tension, while Himmler is about to make a visit and the lead character struggles with his humanity. Plummer delivers a strong performance as Wilhelm, a bitter monarch who’s lost his throne and purpose.
2017-Britain-U.S. 107 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by David Leveaux. Novel: Alan Judd (”The Kaiser’s Last Kiss”). Music: Ilan Eshkeri. Cast: Lily James (Mieke de Jong), Jai Courtney (Stefan Brandt), Christopher Plummer (Wilhelm II), Janet McTeer, Eddie Marsan, Ben Daniels.