The Night of the Generals

Watch The Night of the Generals

"Patriotism has been known to have its vicious side."
  • NR
  • 1967
  • 2 hr 28 min
  • 7.2  (8,665)

The Night of the Generals, released in 1967, is a war film based on the novel of the same name by Hans Hellmut Kirst. The movie is directed by Anatole Litvak and stars Peter O'Toole, Omar Sharif and Tom Courtenay in the lead roles. The film is set during World War II and depicts the investigation of a series of bizarre murders in Nazi-occupied Warsaw.

The movie opens with the brutal murder of a prostitute in Warsaw, Poland. The killer is shown wearing a German officer's uniform, with the face hidden by a black overcoat. The investigation is led by Major Grau (Omar Sharif), a German army intelligence officer who is convinced that the killer is a high-ranking German officer. Grau is aided by a Polish intelligence officer named Kuzdzal (Tom Courtenay).

As the investigation progresses, Grau discovers that there have been other similar murders in various parts of Poland. He begins to suspect that the killer is one of the three German generals who are stationed in Warsaw. These generals are General Kahlenberge (Donald Pleasence), General Tanz (Peter O'Toole) and General von Seidlitz-Gabler (Charles Gray).

At the same time, the movie follows the story of General Tanz, a ruthless and ambitious officer who is obsessed with power and control. He is shown to be involved in various illegal activities, such as smuggling and profiteering, and is portrayed as a cold and calculating individual. Tanz is also shown to be having an affair with a young German woman named Ulrike (Joanna Pettet).

As the investigation continues, Grau's suspicions begin to focus on Tanz, but he is unable to find any solid evidence against him. Eventually, Grau is transferred to another posting and the case is closed, with no one brought to justice for the murders.

The movie then fast-forwards to the end of the war, with the Allied forces closing in on Berlin. General Tanz is now a high-ranking officer in the German army and is tasked with defending Berlin. However, he becomes disillusioned with the war and decides to desert. In a climactic scene, Tanz meets with Kuzdzal and confesses to him that he was the killer. However, before he can be arrested, Tanz is shot dead by a Russian soldier.

The Night of the Generals is a well-made and suspenseful movie that keeps the audience guessing until the very end. The performances by the lead actors, particularly Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif, are superb, and the movie effectively conveys the sense of moral ambiguity that pervaded Nazi Germany. The film is also notable for its depiction of the Holocaust, which is shown in a powerful and visceral way.

Overall, The Night of the Generals is a must-watch for fans of war movies and political thrillers, and is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who sees it.

The Night of the Generals is a 1967 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.

The Night of the Generals
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  • Release Date
    1967
  • MPAA Rating
    NR
  • Runtime
    2 hr 28 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.2  (8,665)