This is a morality tale set during the war when German prisoners are held in various camps across the USA. The story focuses on one, in Colorado, where the small town doctor who also serves the camp is apparently murdered, and a German prisoner is the accused. At the same time 3 American prisoners captive in Germany are being prepared to go to trial, and the US legal system hopes to quickly convict this German to have something to trade for.
Walter Matthau is Harmon Cobb, small town lawyer who is pretty much broke and considered a second tier lawyer. Against his will he is told to defend the German, his other option is disbarment and jail. So he goes into it half-hearted. But soon he is receiving poor treatment from his own friends, and then finds out there may be much more to the story, and he begins an investigation in earnest.
Robert Carradine is good as the Harvard-educated prosecuting attorney. Brit Peter Firth is the focus as Geiger, the prisoner accused of murdering the doctor. Barnard Hughes is Doc Hansen. Harry Morgan is the tough Judge Bell. William Schallert is Harmon's friend, Wallace, who helps uncover key evidence.
Pretty good TV movie.
SPOILERS: The American commander of the camp is the guilty party. He runs a tight prison camp by letting the German Nazi Party members have free reign during the night. Any prisoner who steps out of line is beaten to death with bats. The doc knew this and was tired of the guilt and was about to expose it so they murdered him too, and framed the German.
Walter Matthau is Harmon Cobb, small town lawyer who is pretty much broke and considered a second tier lawyer. Against his will he is told to defend the German, his other option is disbarment and jail. So he goes into it half-hearted. But soon he is receiving poor treatment from his own friends, and then finds out there may be much more to the story, and he begins an investigation in earnest.
Robert Carradine is good as the Harvard-educated prosecuting attorney. Brit Peter Firth is the focus as Geiger, the prisoner accused of murdering the doctor. Barnard Hughes is Doc Hansen. Harry Morgan is the tough Judge Bell. William Schallert is Harmon's friend, Wallace, who helps uncover key evidence.
Pretty good TV movie.
SPOILERS: The American commander of the camp is the guilty party. He runs a tight prison camp by letting the German Nazi Party members have free reign during the night. Any prisoner who steps out of line is beaten to death with bats. The doc knew this and was tired of the guilt and was about to expose it so they murdered him too, and framed the German.