The Exception — Trailer

added: Mon, Apr 24th '17

"Suicide Squad" actor Jai Courtney is a WWII German soldier who must decide to either serve his country or prove his love for a beautiful Jewish housemaid in the newly released trailer for the Nazi thriller "The Exception."

The film, set in World War II during the time when the Nazis are occupying Holland, sees Courtney as Nazi officer Stefan Brandt. He's been tasked with guarding exiled German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II (played by Christopher Plummer) while also investigating the possibility of Dutch spies within Kaiser's personal staff.

But when Stefan embarks on a passionate and forbidden love affair with one of the Kaiser's young housemaids (Lily James from "Downton Abbey" and "Cinderella") who later reveals herself to be a Jewish infiltrator, he finds himself in a precarious situation that winds up redefining his loyalties and motives.

Also starring Janet McTeer, Ben Daniels, and Eddie Marsan, the film is the feature directorial debut of acclaimed British theatre director David Leveaux.

Written for the screen by Simon Burke (TV's Fortitude), based on the 2003 novel "The Kaiser's Last Kiss" by Alan Judd, "The Exception" received mostly positive reviews when it premiered at last year's Toronto International Film Festival. It's set to screen this week at Tribeca before being released exclusively on DirecTV on April 27th with a theatrical release to follow on June 2nd.

synopsis:
A riveting World War II thriller that is filled with espionage and romance in equal measure, The Exception follows German soldier Stefan Brandt (Jai Courtney) as he goes on a mission to investigate exiled German Monarch Kaiser Wilhelm II (Christopher Plummer). The Kaiser lives in a secluded mansion in The Netherlands, and as Germany is taking over Holland, the country’s authorities are concerned that Dutch spies may be watching the Kaiser. As Brandt begins to infiltrate the Kaiser’s life in search of clues, he finds himself drawn into an unexpected and passionate romance with Mieke (Lily James), one of the Kaiser’s maids whom Brandt soon discovers is secretly Jewish.

When Heinrich Himmler (Eddie Marsan), Head of the SS, decides to come for an unexpected visit with a large platoon of Nazis in tow, the stage is set for a breathtaking showdown, as secrets are revealed, allegiances are tested, and Brandt is forced to make the ultimate choice between honoring his country and following his heart.

directed by David Leveaux

starring Lily James, Jai Courtney, Christopher Plummer, Janet McTeer, Ben Daniels, Eddie Marsan

release date April 27, 2017 (on DirecTV), June 2, 2017 (in theaters)