source: Counterpoint

Moviecut—Counterpoint

Counterpoint

I saw this film when it first came out and thought it was excellent, Charlton Heston's best. I don't think the plot was too far-fetched, after all, the Battle of the Bulge DID occur and a USO orchestra could have been caught behind the enemy lines like this one was. Perhaps the German general would not have been quite so brutal, front line troops were not like concentration camp guards, but Charlton Heston HAD discovered important information about the German fuel situation. I too, would like to get a copy of it on VHS or DVD. I actually do have a 16mm film copy of it, 3 reels I think, which I would gladly donate to anyone for a DVD in return!

.... yeah that`s what I thought , but Heston plays an arrogant , bullying indominatable conducter , so no miscasting there then . Leslie Nielson in a straight role ! , well this was made long before THE NAKED GUN so we can overlook that . If anything COUNTERPOINT is too safely cast , Maximilian Schell and Anton Diffring play German officers , Schell plays an ambigious German who`s not a die hard nazi but is worse in some ways while Diffring plays a streotypical nazi murderer , so no change there then. COUNTERPOINT is a fairly good war drama. The only real bad point is the subplot of a traitor at work within the orchestra , when their identity is revealed it feels very rushed and underdeveloped . Still it`s an okay film to watch if there`s nothing else on , and watch the end titles where Heston puts on his most arrogant expression and turns to his left as the cast credits roll. I can`t help thinking this is done on purpose and brings a wry smile to my face

Although this movie got bad reviews and, as another member commented, was "absurd", I enjoyed the movie and am sorry that it has never been released on VHS or DVD. I would sure like to get a copy. One never even sees it on television any more so it could be taped. I guess I'm just a sentimentalist at heart, but the idea of going through the motions of putting on a concert for the Nazis to delay the SS execution of the group appealed to me. And when that soldier (I forget who the actor was), pretending to be a member of the band, played "The Star Spangled Banner", I was brought to tears. If any member knows where I could get a copy of this movie on VHS or DVD, I would appreciate an email.

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.

I "rediscovered" and just watched this little gem of a film with Good classical music and great performances, particularly by Maximilian Schell. It's technically a war movie though. My rating of 7 is based on purely entertainment value. Pretty good

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.

Counterpoint remains one of my favorite movies mainly because of the interesting interplay between Schell's and Heston's characters. It is good movie making to set up a psychological tug-of-war with life at stake. Schell does an excellent job portraying a conflicted authoritarian who has stumbled upon a small bit of beauty in the midst of chaos. Schell exudes his character's charm and ultimate control over the situation when he comments on the orchestra's performance list - "Something Wagnerian perhaps..." I always have the feeling watching this movie that it would translate very well to the stage. Your eye is never distracted by other things. The premise, though a bit unrealistic, is still compelling enough to make the movie a good watch.