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Historical drama

The Captain (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Captain (2018) movie poster

The Captain is a 2018 historical drama directed by Robert Schwentke, starring Max Hubacher as Willi Herold, Milan Peschel and Frederick Lau. It runs 1 hour 58 minutes and earned $1.2 million worldwide on a $5.8 million budget. Critics gave it 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10.

IMDb rating
7.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
75%
worldwide gross
$1.2M
Echo Score
67
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The Captain (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 58m (118 min)
Director
Robert Schwentke
Genres
Drama , History , War
Original language
Chinese
Budget
$5.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Captain About?

The premise of The Captain without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the final months of World War II, a German soldier named Willi Herold steals a Nazi captain's uniform and assumes command of a camp for deserters. As he exploits his newfound authority, his actions reveal the dangers of unchecked power and the fragility of order in chaotic times. The situation escalates as his audacity and the obedience of those under his control lead to unforeseen and increasingly dire consequences.

The Captain Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • impostor
  • year 1945
  • army deserter
  • nazi germany
  • massacre
  • execution
  • based on real person
  • aerial bombardment
  • nazi uniform
  • male full frontal nudity
  • world war two
  • war criminal
+38 more
  • pubic hair
  • uniform
  • german soldier
  • year 2017
  • hanging body
  • deserter
  • female topless nudity
  • male rear nudity
  • male frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • 1940s
  • nazi
  • soldier
  • world war two soldier
  • shot to death
  • war crime
  • pretending to be an officer
  • court martial
  • air raid
  • mass execution
  • anti aircraft gun
  • mass grave
  • female full frontal nudity
  • based on true story
  • scene during end credits
  • rank in title
  • full frontal nudity
  • car trouble
  • end of world war two
  • chase
  • hanging
  • snow
  • juggling
  • inn
  • meat
  • shot in the head
  • kiss
  • singing
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Cast & crew

The Captain Cast & Characters

Max Hubacher leads the cast as Willi Herold, with Milan Peschel as Freytag and Frederick Lau as Kipinski. Directed by Robert Schwentke; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Robert Schwentke

More films directed by Robert Schwentke, best-rated first: Seneca, Tattoo, RED and Flightplan.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Captain Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Captain 75% on Rotten Tomatoes and 67 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 67/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

67 /100

The Captain Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Captain combines striking visual craftsmanship with uneven narrative pacing, resulting in a mixed yet compelling experience. Critics praise the film’s monochrome compositions and tense sequences, but note structural inconsistencies and a relentlessly bleak tone. While the direction and cinematography deliver powerful imagery that sustains engagement, the uneven story flow and limited character depth temper its impact. The film leaves a strong stylistic impression despite narrative and emotional shortcomings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, the film’s black-and-white cinematography and painterly framing receive consistent acclaim. Reviewers highlight the stark visual compositions and deliberate production design that underscore the story’s dark themes. Editing choices reinforce the mounting tension as the protagonist’s downward spiral unfolds. Overall, the film’s visual artistry effectively conveys its grim historical setting, making art direction its most compelling element.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    In terms of character and emotional resonance, responses are mixed. The central performance conveys the protagonist’s ideological transformation with unsettling conviction, but secondary roles lack depth. Emotional impact arises in chilling moments of cruelty, yet limited character development tempers audience connection. While the lead’s unsettling portrayal drives the narrative’s tension, uneven emotional engagement constrains the film’s overall impact.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of story and flow, critics note a structurally uneven narrative. The film’s parable-like approach yields compelling tension and thought-provoking themes, but pacing lags during prolonged sequences that undermine engagement. Chilling set-pieces punctuate the plot, yet the mixture of stark drama and fleeting satire creates tonal inconsistencies. Narrative provocation is evident, but uneven pacing limits cohesion.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    For sensory experience, the film’s minimal score and stark sound design heighten its grim atmosphere through restrained audio choices. The monochrome visual style and meticulous production design convey an oppressive, immersive world. Occasional jarring sound effects underscore moments of violence, reinforcing emotional tension. Overall, the cohesive audiovisual approach effectively immerses viewers in the film’s bleak wartime setting.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    When it comes to rewatch value, opinions are cautious due to the film’s relentless bleakness. The intense subject matter and prolonged tension may deter repeated viewings, despite the craftsmanship on display. While the striking visuals and thematic depth offer reasons to revisit, the film’s oppressive tone and uneven pacing reduce its appeal for subsequent viewings. Overall, lasting appeal is limited by its unrelenting severity.

Plot

The Captain Plot Summary

What happens in The Captain from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In April 1945, during the final weeks of World War II, Willi Herold, a young Luftwaffe Fallschirmjäger, narrowly escapes a roving German military police unit bent on shooting him for desertion. After his escape, he stumbles upon an abandoned car containing the uniform of a decorated Luftwaffe captain. He donates the insignia of a commander on his person and moves through the German countryside, presenting himself as an officer on a mission, supposedly ordered by Hitler to gauge morale behind the front lines.

Full summary

The whole story of The Captain, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Captain Box Office & Budget

The Captain grossed $1.2 million worldwide on a $5.8 million budget, 21% of what it cost. $109,226 came from the US and Canada and $1.1 million (91%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.2M

21% of its budget back

US & Canada
$109.2K
International
$1.1M
Budget
$5.8M
US & Canada 9% Rest of the world 91%
Videos

The Captain Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 1 trailer and 2 featurettes.

NEW Captain Underpants Theme Song w/ Lyrics | DREAMWORKS THE EPIC TALES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS
  • Featurette Gas-O-Rama Battle Against Smartsy Fartsy | DREAMWORKS THE EPIC TALES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS
  • Featurette A World Without Homework | DREAMWORKS THE EPIC TALES OF CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Captain?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What uniform does Willi Herold discover in the abandoned car at the beginning of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Captain

43 cars on screen, including the 2014 CF Moto 650 G and the 2012 Citroën DS3.

All 43 cars
  • 2014 CF Moto 650 G in The Captain 2014 CF Moto 650 G Minor role
  • 2012 Citroën DS3 in The Captain 2012 Citroën DS3 Minor role
  • Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia Sportage in The Captain Dongfeng-Yueda-Kia Sportage Minor role
  • 2010 FAW-Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in The Captain 2010 FAW-Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Minor role
Details

The Captain Also Known As

23 alternative titles, including “The Captain - l'usurpateur” and “Kapteeni”.

Also known as
  • The Captain - l'usurpateur
  • Kapteeni
  • The Captain : L'usurpateur
  • Der Hauptman
  • Kaptajnen
  • Kapitonas
  • El Capitán
  • 冒牌上尉
  • O Capitão
  • Kapitan
  • Η Στολή Του Λοχαγού
  • Yüzbaşı
+11 more
  • Bödeln från Emsland
  • Капитан
  • 以希魔的名義
  • A százados
  • Kapteinen
  • Капетан
  • Капитанът
  • 더 캡틴
  • ちいさな独裁者
  • Ngài Đại Úy
  • Căpitanul

Seen The Captain?

FAQ

The Captain FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of The Captain, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Captain?

The Captain runs 1 hour 58 minutes (118 minutes).

When was The Captain released?

The Captain was released on July 27, 2018.

Who directed The Captain?

The Captain was directed by Robert Schwentke.

More films by Robert Schwentke

Who is in the cast of The Captain?

The Captain stars Max Hubacher as Willi Herold, Milan Peschel as Freytag and Frederick Lau as Kipinski, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Captain make at the box office?

The Captain grossed $1.2 million worldwide ($109,226 domestic, $1.1 million international) on a budget of $5.8 million.

How is The Captain rated?

The Captain has 7.3/10 on IMDb, 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, 67 on Metacritic and 75% on TMDB.

Does The Captain have a post-credit scene?

No. The Captain has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is The Captain in?

The original language of The Captain is Chinese.

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