Honour transcends everything, even enemies. Captain Robert Campbell, a POW deep in wartime Germany, strikes a deal with Kaiser Wilhelm to return to visit his dying mother, on his word of honour that he return. 

SYNOPSIS:

A British Army officer held as a prisoner of war strikes a deal with the German Kaiser to be released from captivity to visit his dying mother, bound by his word of honour that he return.

Captain Robert Campbell is a model officer to his comrades and loving son to Louisa. When war breaks out he leaves his mother and sister, Gladys, behind to fight the war to end all wars. Robert’s war seems to be over before it’s begun when he is wounded and captured at the Battle of Mons. However, he faces a new battle to keep control of his mind as the soldier must adjust to the life of a prisoner.

To stave off boredom, Robert and his fellow captives busy themselves however they can, activities, sports, escape attempts. Robert writes to his mother, not only to stop her from worrying, but to keep him in contact with the outside world. Prison time is one of routine, Robert finds his routine, and that keeps him busy for two years. Meanwhile, on the Western Front, Peter Gastreich, a young German soldier, is sent out on patrol when he is captured. He is sent to a British prisoner of war camp.

In 1916 everything changes when Robert receives a letter from Gladys informing him their mother is dying of cancer. Stunned, Robert concludes he must see his mother before she dies. He appeals to his comrades to help him escape, but they have no plans that will be ready in time to get him home. Desperate, Robert contacts the most senior authority he can, Kaiser Wilhelm, to plead his case. In a stunning twist of events, the Kaiser grants Robert two weeks compassionate leave from his incarceration, on the condition that Robert, on his honour as an officer and gentleman, return to captivity.

Robert travels through wartime Germany in his officer’s uniform, as a prisoner he has no change of clothes. He encounters hostility from civilians as he goes, but he has is the most powerful weapon for protection, the Kaiser’s telegram. Robert reaches Gravesend and makes it home to see his mother one last time. Before Robert makes it home however, he is approached by the War Office who attempt to prevent him from returning to captivity. They argue he is an officer of the British Army and therefore should return to active duty now he’s effectively been freed. Robert counters that because he is an officer he is honour bound to stay true to his word, regardless of the circumstances. Honour transcends everything, even enemies. Despite their best efforts, the War Office cannot convince him to stay, even suspecting him of being a spy.

Robert makes it home to discover Louisa’s condition is worse than he thought. Now Robert is faced with a decision, should he stay to care for his mother, or does he go to honour his agreement with the Kaiser? When Louisa hears of the circumstances allowing Robert to return to see her again, she tells him they both know there is only one course of action, they say goodbye for the last time.

Robert returns back to the prisoner of war camp and having honoured his word, he sets about the duty of every officer, he attempts to escape. Back in the UK, Peter has learned from his father that his mother is dying of tuberculosis. Citing Robert’s case, he attempts to persuade the War Office to release him, the War Office refuses.

In 1917, Robert learns that his mother has finally died. Although upset, Robert is heartened by the fact that he had his closure. Since his return his duty has been to his comrades, in a final shot we see them escape through a secret tunnel into darkness.

THE HONOURABLE GENTLEMAN