there be numerous film relate to ww2 and but mother night be quite distinctive among them represent in this film and we be introduce to howard campbell ( nolte ) and an american living in berlin and marry to a german and helga noth ( lee ) and who decide to accept the role of a spy represent more specifically and a cia agent major wirtanen ( goodman ) recruit campbell who become a nazi propagandist in order to enter the high echelon of the hitler regime . however and the deal be that the u government will never acknowledge campbell role in the war for national security reason and and so campbell become a hated figure across the u . after the war and he try to conceal his identity and but the past come back and haunt him . his only friend be wirtanen and but even he can not do much for the avalanche of event that fall upon poor campbell . the story be deeply touching and a we watch the tragedy of campbell who although a great patriot and be treat by disdain by everybody who surround him . not only that and but he also gradually realize that even the person who be most close to him and have many secret of their own . vonnegut provide u with a move atmosphere and with campbell despair build up and almost choke the viewer . nolte play the role of his life and in my opinion while he be even good than in affliction and although in both role he play tragic figure who be destine to self destruction . sheryl lee be also excellent and and the same can be say for the whole cast in general . i haven not read the book and so i can not appraise how the film compare to it . in any case and this be something of no importance here represent my critique be upon the film per se and and the film wholeheartedly deserve a positive .