King and Country is a 1964 anti-war drama film directed by Joseph Losey. It is based on the play "Hamp" by John Wilson, which was inspired by real-life events during World War I.
The film centers on Private Arthur Hamp (played by Tom Courtenay), a young British soldier who has become disillusioned with the war and deserted from his unit. He is caught and tried for desertion, facing the death penalty if found guilty.
Captain Hargreaves (played by Dirk Bogarde) is appointed to defend Hamp at his court-martial. At first, Hargreaves is contemptuous of Hamp and believes he deserves punishment for his actions. However, as he listens to Hamp's testimony and learns about the conditions he endured on the front lines, Hargreaves begins to feel sympathy for him and develops a critical attitude towards the military bureaucracy.
The film ultimately questions the morality of the death penalty and the role of the military in sending young men to their deaths. It is a powerful indictment of war and its toll on the individual soldiers who fight it.
King and Country was well-received by critics and is considered a classic anti-war film. It was also notable for its use of real World War I footage, which adds to the authenticity and emotional impact of the story.
