According to the Laws of War

In the midst of World War II, a ruthless German SS officer, Major Klaus (Helmut Berger), takes over a small Italian town. His brutal methods and thirst for control are met with quiet resistance from the local populace and the town's doctor, Dr. Antonio Rossi (Henry Silva). The film explores the moral compromises and desperate acts of survival that occur under oppressive occupation.

This low-budget war drama received mixed to negative reviews, with critics often pointing to its derivative plot and uneven performances. While some acknowledged its attempt to explore the grim realities of war, many found it failed to deliver a compelling or nuanced narrative.

• The film struggles with pacing and character development.

• Features a predictable plot that offers little new to the war genre.

• Performances are generally considered to be uninspired.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this film, but those available suggest a lack of engagement and a feeling that the movie doesn't fully realize its potential.

Director Ulli Lommel was a prominent figure in the German 'New German Cinema' movement, known for his earlier collaborations with Rainer Werner Fassbinder.