Counterpoint is a 1968 American war film directed by Ralph Nelson.
During World War II, Lionel Evans (Charlton Heston) is a respected conductor touring Europe with his orchestra when they are captured by the Nazis and forced to perform.
The orders from Berlin are to massacre the orchestra, but while Colonel Arndt (Anton Diffring) is eager to fulfill those orders, General Schiller (Maximilian Schell) wishes for a chance to be entertained by some of his favourite musicians.
For every trope, a counter-trope:
- Anti-Mutiny: Arndt goes behind Schiller's back to arrange the demises of the orchestra members as he was originally ordered.
- Ax-Crazy: Arndt is eager to kill the orchestra, and enjoys bloodshed.
- Can't Kill You, Still Need You: General Schiller holds off on killing the orchestra until they play music for him.
- Cultured Warrior: General Schiller is a Nazi military officer with a love for classical music.
- Defiant Captive: Lionel Evans insists on butting heads with his Nazi captors.
- Leave No Survivors: Arndt is eager to fulfill the orders from Berlin to eliminate the Orchestra as soon as the concert is performed.
- An Offer You Can't Refuse: Lionel's orchestra is forced to perform for General Schiller at gunpoint.
- The Prima Donna: Lionel Evans is an orchestra leader with a massive ego.
- Sociopathic Soldier: Colonel Arndt is an antisocial member of the German Military who is eager to massacre the orchestra.
- Wicked Cultured: Nazi General Schiller is an avid fan of classical music, which is why he has initially spared the orchestra.
