Counterpoint (film)

Counterpoint, also known as Counterpoint: A Story of Resistance, is a 1968 American war film directed by George Schaefer and starring Charlton Heston and Maximilian Schell.

The film tells the story of a captured American symphony orchestra during World War II. The orchestra, led by the demanding and patriotic conductor Lionel Evans (Heston), is captured by a German Wehrmacht General, Schiller (Schell), who is a passionate music lover. Schiller demands that the orchestra perform a concert for him and his officers.

The film explores the tension between art and war, and the conflict between the conductor's duty to his art and his loyalty to his country. As the orchestra prepares for the concert, they secretly plan an act of resistance against their captors. The film culminates in a dramatic and suspenseful performance where the orchestra uses their music to defy the Nazis.

Counterpoint deals with themes of captivity, resistance, the power of music, and the moral complexities of war. It received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics often focusing on perceived over-the-top acting and a sometimes implausible plot, although the film's musical sequences and exploration of its themes were often praised.