Counterpoint (1967)

Famous symphony conductor (Charlton Heston) is captured by the Germans in WW2 and is forced to put on private concerts for the Nazi generals . At the beginning the known orchestra conductor entertains the Allied troops until is taken nearly Bastogne , during Ardennes offensive led by General Von Rundstet . The musicians are moved to an impressive castle where is a Nazi army , a Panzer Division commanded by Gen. Schiller (Maximilian Schell) and Col. Arndt (Anton Diffring) . To save their lives , the players (Parley Baer , Bill Erwin , Ed Peck ,Dan Frazer and ¡ Leslie Nielsen¡ along with his wife performed by Kathryn Hays) have to play a private concert . However , the musical conductor doesn't want to follow the Nazi orders . Meanwhile , Lt. Long (Linden Chiles) and Sgt. Calloway (Peter Masterson) who are hidden in orchestra attempt to escape . Good melodrama packs adequate cinematography , nice settings , classic score and wonderful performance . Enjoyable picture in which takes place an exciting battle of wits between two aces of interpretation : Charlton Heston and Maximilian Schell . Acting by two principal actors is first-range , both of whom are magnificent . Extraordinary Maximilian Schell , as usual , and acceptable acting by Charlton Heston as orchestra conductor though he must not change facial expression while conducting . Support cast is frankly good , such as Kathryn Hays , Leslie Nielsen , Linden Chiles , Peter Masterson and a cameo by the same director , Ralph Nelson , as Belgian officer . Special mention for Anton Driffing who worked continuously in motion pictures due to his aristocratic, German face and cool, clipped diction, making him ideal for typecasting in British and later American motion pictures as Nazis and other vile, despicable characters such as : ¨Where eagles dare¨, ¨The Blue Max¨ , The Heroes of Telemark , "The Battle of Sutjeska" , ¨Zeppelin¨ , ¨Victory¨ and many others . Russell Metty cinematography in Techniscope is rousing and colorful . Bronislau Kaper soundtrack is riveting , including classy musical score ; these are the followings pieces heard in the film : 5º symphony of Bethoven , Endless symphony by Schubert , 1º symphony of Brahms , Lake of swans by Tchaikowski and Tanhauser's Wagner . The feature obtained a limited success and had a moderated box-office , it is nowadays better valued . The motion picture was well directed by Ralph Nelson . There were no half measures in this filmmaker. He would make sentimental movies or violent and gore films . Failure alternated with hits through the 1960s, though Nelson's direction was more than successful in ¨Lilies of the field¨ with invaluable help of Sidney Poitier who won an Oscar as an African-American helping a group of German nuns to build a chapel. And of course , his greatest success ¨Soldier Blue¨, including cruel massacres and and blood fountained all over the screen . In the 7os Nelson went on to making strong movies , however, his films themselves were doing less successful at the Box office , numerous of those being barely seen outside US . As a violent Zapata Western titled ¨Wrath of God¨ with Robert Mitchum, as ¨Tick..Tick..Tick¨ in which the racial tensions arise when a black man being elected sheriff , ¨ The Wilby conspiracy¨ about the apartheid and again with Poitier and a Sci-fi movie titled ¨Embryo¨ with Rock Hudson. Rating : Better than average , Charlton Heston fans will enjoy their idol .

This is a movie that I really would like to get, having seen it on television while growing up but unfortunately not in quite awhile. What makes this movie stick in my head over the years are some very unique scenes.The orchestra is playing a USO show when the Battle of the Bulge breaks out mid-concert. All is hurly-burly as the musicians are herded onto the bus and evacuated from the town. On the way out, amid explosions and advancing Germans, the bus is routed down a particular road by some 'helpful' MPs. The bus also picks up a couple of 'visitors.' All this sets the stage for a 'battle of wills' between Conductor Heston and the German general later. The music the band plays while practicing for the forced concert, famous orchestra number I could not name for the life of me, makes me think of this movie every time I hear it.Great scene also, during practice, with one of the German officers watching and then questioning one of the 'visitors' mentioned earlier. Very well paced and interesting.

Let me qualify those 7 stars. You have to like Heston, Schell, WWII movies, and classical music in order to appreciate this movie. Heston is the conductor of an orchestra that is caught behind German lines during the Battle of the Bulge. Schell is a Prussian style educated yet cultured officer who is caught between his appreciation for culture and his orders not to delay the battle by wasting time on taking prisoners. The orchestra is USO. A side conflict is provided by the orchestra taking in 2 GIs who are also cut off behind enemy lines and hiding them as members of the orchestra. This is a war, "small w", movie. I remember a lot of grimacing from Heston and Schell, but that is what they do! Look beyond the cardboard characters and you may find a good little picture about a protagonist and an antagonist playing chess without a board.

If you're a World War II movie fan or a woman and a Maximillian Schell fan, or both, this hard to find film has definitely captured Maximillian Schell's charm and appeal. Even though he plays a German General, the "bad guy," his performance makes it very difficult NOT to like him. He is handsome and witty underneath the power of authority that he exudes. His performance is by far the best. A hand would have to be given to given to the young "pre-Naked Gun" Leslie Nielsen also. The movie plot is perhaps a little unrealistic but that's the beauty of film, right? Engaging and somewhat memorable to say the least. Worth a look if you can find it.