H.M. Deserters

(1986)

★ 7 IMDb · 37 votes

Genres: Comedy, History, War, Adventure

Year: 1986

Runtime: 155 мин

Country: Poland, Hungary

Director: Janusz Majewski

Cast: Marek Kondrat, Wiktor Zborowski, Krzysztof Kowalewski, Wojciech Pokora, Bezerédy Zoltán, Anna Gornostaj, Kalina Jędrusik, Jerzy Michotek, Jacek Sas-Uhrynowski, Zbigniew Zapasiewicz

Plot

Set in 1918, this World War I drama follows a group of Austro-Hungarian soldiers—Czechs, Jews, Italians, and others—confined in a provincial barracks under German officers. Subjected to the cruelty of a sadistic lieutenant, they rebel, humiliate him, and later attempt escape. Disguised as guards for veterinary surgeons in Budapest, the deserters are eventually recaptured and returned for court-martial, forced once more to face their tormentor.