Marvel's Captain America is a 2011 live-action superhero film produced by 20th Century Fox and Marvel Studios based on the iconic 1940s Marvel Comics superhero by the same name. It is the seventh film of Phase 1 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe released worldwide on July 1st 2011.
Production[]
It was announced during the 2009 Comic Con that a Captain America reboot was in development to take place in the Marvel Cinematic Universe shared continuity. Many ideas were thrown around for how to manage a Captain America solo movie motivated by not wanting to relive the financial and critical disaster of the original 1990s film. Originally Kevin Feige said that half the film would take place in the 1940s and the other in modern times, in order to better establish his role for The Avengers. But Avi Arad strongly opposed the idea, believing that Captain America was a man out of time, and a product of the World War II era culture, and the film should reflect that. Ultimately, Marvel Studios decided on a period film and felt splitting the time between the 40s and today would be too similar to the failed film before it.
It was later announced by Kevin Feige shortly after that Joe Johnston would be directing the film, and announced a summer 2011 release date on Fourth of July weekend. In early 2010, Marvel announced the involvement of Chris Evans in the titular role, as well as Hayley Atwell, Tommy Lee Jones, and Stanley Tucci. Marvel also later confirmed how Dominic Cooper would be joining the film as Howard Stark, who was previously portrayed by John Slattery in Iron Man 2, and Samuel L. Jackson also joining the project to reprise his role as Director Nick Fury. Feige did confirm however, Jackson was added at the last minute and likely was not going to play a large role in the film's central plot. They also announced Hugo Weaving as the Red Skull, the main villain of the film as well as how the movie would have a sci-fi style to it and wouldn't just be exclusively about the events of World War II. Even a set picture was leaked of multiple crew members holding an item that looked like the iconic Cosmic Cube from the comics.
Filming was done through April to July 2010 and the film was released worldwide July 1st the very next year.
Cast[]
- Chris Evans as Steve Rogers/Captain America
- Hugo Weaving as Johann Schmidt/Red Skull
- Toby Jones as Arnim Zola
- Richard Armitage as Heinz Kruger
- Hayley Atwell as Agent Peggy Carter
- Sebastian Stan as James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes
- JJ Felid as James Montgomery Falsworth/Union Jack
- Neal McDonough as Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan
- Derek Luke as Gabe Jones
- Lex Shrapnel as Sam Sawyer
- Richard Short as Pinky Pinkerton
- Kenneth Choi as Jim Morita
- Kyle Bornheimer as Izzy Cohen
- Stanley Tucci as Jacob Reinstein/Abraham Erskine
- Tommy Lee Jones as General Chester Phillips
- Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
- James Payton as Chancellor Adolf Hitler
- Joseph Culp as President Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Samuel L. Jackson as Director Nick Fury (Cameo)
Plot[]
Act 1[]
The film starts on an oil rig in the arctic where the workers all make small talk, commenting to each other about how the job gets easier every year because of global warming. Suddenly, their drill hits something and not knowing what it is, have the crane pull it up only to find that it's a bomber plane circa World War II. It then shows a series of old reels documenting Adolf Hitler's rise to power and the formation of Nazi Germany until cutting to the war torn town of Tønsberg, Norway in the midst of battle, where a car is seen driving to the front of a church as the camera pans over to a swastika ornament on the hood.
Johann Schmidt soon after walks out and into the church while Nazi soldiers are revealed to have already begun raiding it. In the process of removing the stone top off an old coffin, the commanding officer demands his men open it quickly before... he is unable to finish when he sees Schmidt arrive. The commanding officer then addresses Schmidt, stuttering that he told them to scour the crypt but these incompetent donkeys cutting him off Schmidt warns him to save his excuses, he who cannot control lesser men deserves to be treated as such.
Schmidt then gives the signal and the commanding officer is shot before the soldiers then finally remove the top off the coffin. Schmidt pulls a translucent blue cube from the hands of the corpse inside, he picks it up and looks before shattering it onto the ground, screaming that it's a fake! He then demands his soldiers keep looking, search every home, interrogate every man, woman, and child, they're not going home until the Cosmic Cube is found.
It cuts to Brooklyn, New York in an alleyway where the short statured and frail Steve Rogers is in a fight getting beaten up by a much larger man. The man yells asking if he's gonna shut up now and Steve, wiping the blood off his nose, replies that he can do this all day. Before they can keep fighting, someone behind them yells "hey!" as the man is eventually punched and scared away by Steve's friend, Bucky Barnes.
He thanks Bucky who asks what he did this time and Steve explains graffiti, some Nazi stuff. Bucky tells him to just call the police but Steve insists he can't just not say anything. They then leave the alleyway where Bucky asks if any of his paintings sold and Steve replies by shaking his head, Bucky tells him not to worry about it, he can stay as long as he needs.
They finally make it to their loft until noticing a newspaper outside the door which Bucky picks up and reads, clearly shocked. Steve asks what's the matter and Bucky says America just joined the war. In Berlin at the Schutzstaffel, Johann Schmidt is shown to be in the office of Adolf Hitler himself where he informs his Füher that Tønsberg was a false lead, nothing of importance was found.
Hitler insists to Schmidt that they are at war, when he asks for money and soldiers promising a weapon, he expects results. Schmidt insists he will get them, Tønsberg was one of many places spoken in the Poetic Edda about the Cosmic Cube but Hitler informs him enough! The Cosmic Cube is a myth, and he has humored his delusions for too long.
Schmidt stays silent until Hitler says he will hear no more about this, afterwards stating that the Super Soldier Serum continues to elude their top minds at the Ahnenerbe, see to it this changes, Schmidt replying it will be done giving sieg heil. Meanwhile, Doctor Abraham Erskine is working in what's shown to be the O.S.S. completing work on vials of a clear serum until Agent Peggy Carter visits asking how he's doing, Erskine claims he still has nightmares about them but Peggy assures him that he's safe now, Erskine still appearing uneased.
At the Brooklyn recruitment center, Bucky is asked for his name, telling them James Buchanan Barnes only to shortly after get approved once his medical history is glanced. Steve is then called up next, they ask for his name as well and after looking over his records, commenting that he had scarlet fever as a child. Steve insists that he did but it's all gone now and the recruiter claims clearly not enough, he's ineligible. Steve though begs not to be sent back saying how everyone he knows is serving, even his parents are overseas right now.
They look over his family records and observe that his folks are some high level diplomats and Steve then reiterates asking if he can help him, the recruiter hesitantly approving him. In the Ahnenerbe, Johann Schmidt is escorted into the laboratory where he asks for Doctor Arnim Zola. Zola then gets up from his work and greets him, saying welcome to Project Nietzsche. Schmidt responds with nothing to show for it and Zola claims breakthroughs in science take time until Schmidt says that he will not be kept waiting. Informing Zola that the longer it takes for him to outperform an untermensch, the less of him he requires.
It then cuts to Camp Lehigh in New Jersey where the latest batch of recruits are dropped off, Steve and Bucky among them. General Chester Phillips along with Agent Carter notice Steve, with the General muttering that they're just accepting everyone these days but Peggy mutters they used to say the same about her. The recruits then all line up as Phillips gets their attention before introducing himself, giving a speech about how wars are won by men, and they will win this war because they have the best men.
Afterwards, Phillips splits up the recruits into different platoons with Bucky and Steve being separated. Steve becomes anxious saying he won't be able to do this without him but Bucky responds insisting that he can, catching up with his platoon only to shout out that they'll see each other soon! It then does a montage of Steve in training where he struggles in the obstacle courses only for another recruit, Sam Sawyer, to purposefully sabotage him on the low crawl. In Berlin, Arnim Zola continuously fails to replicate the Super Soldier Serum only to then be seen with a different limb and or other body part removed after each failure.
Continuing the montage, Steve is jogging around the base, barely keeping up with the rest of the recruits, until the lieutenant tells them whoever can climb up and get the flag off the flagpole gets a ride back to camp. The recruits all jump up to try and get the flag, but are too exhausted to climb it. After they all give up Steve eventually walks over and loosens the screws at the bottom of the pole, tipping it over and getting the flag as well as the ride back. Later, General Phillips is talking with Abraham Erskine asking if he's thought about any candidates for that little project of his.
Erskine timidly responds not yet and Phillips groans it's just to see if the damn thing works. If he only wants the best just go with Sam Sawyer, he's fit, follows orders, good soldier. Erskine insists he's a bully and Phillips points out this is a war, not a playground. He then tells him to watch this, picking up a can and throwing it at recruiters while in the middle of training before screaming out "GRENADE!" Everyone, including Sawyer runs for cover, only for Steve to instead jump on it and yell for everyone to get back, both Phillips and Erskine surprised by the display.
At the Ahnenerbe, Arnim Zola is seen having had his entire body replaced with robotic parts, the only flesh remaining being his head kept behind a magnifying screen on his chest. Johann Schmidt asks what of his latest serum and Zola confirms a failure, as all the others. While thinking, Zola begins to cower in fear until Schmidt says that perhaps they need to accept the possibility that the Super Soldier Serum was one of a kind. He sighs in relief and Schmidt tells Zola that he is excused from Project Nietzsche to serve the Füher elsewhere, Nazi soldiers afterwards taking him away.
At the Barracks in Camp Lehigh, Steve is getting ready for bed until Sam Sawyer starts giving him a hard time for jumping on the grenade, insisting he was going to go for it. Steve responds this way he didn't have to and Sawyer becomes angry asking if he thinks he's better than him, pushing Steve. He yells to get away from him and retaliates by pushing back until Sawyer then head butts him. After being knocked to the ground, Sawyer starts beating on Steve before their fight gets broken up and it cuts to the infirmary where Abraham Erskine is there alone closing up until Steve arrives, bloodied and saying he needs stitches.
While patching Steve up, Erskine asks him why did he enlist. Steve says they're at war but Erskine points out he could've easily gotten a medical exemption, yet here he is, being abused by his own comrades. Steve then answers saying he doesn't like bullies, and those Nazis are the worst of them. Erskine then smiles and says he wants to tell him a story, before he came to America his name was Jacob Reinstein, he was a scientist in Germany.
He had just perfected his life's work, a Super Soldier Serum capable of creating a superior man. But then there were others who thought they already were, most people forget the first country the Nazis invaded was their own. It then does a flashback of Erskine being intimidated by Johann Schmidt until in the present he continues to tell the story of how they wanted him to make it for them.
Steve asks if he did it and Erskine responds of course not, that the effects of the serum are a very complicated process, it amplifies what's inside to make good great, but bad horrible. He tried to warn them but they didn't listen, and then they took everything. Going back to the flashback Schmidt is shown in a Concentration Camp calling for Nazis to open fire on Erskine's family as he watches, showing the present again as tears begin to wallow in his eyes.
He then pulls it back saying this story has a happy ending, the O.S.S. was able to get him out before they could break him, brought him back to health, and now he's here, looking for the one good man to give his serum to. Steve says that he hopes he finds him soon and Erskine insists that he thinks he already has.
In the infirmary door frame, Steve and Erskine are seen hugging while an unrevealed individual with a camera takes pictures of them. It then cuts to him in another room looking over the pictures adding them to Sicherheitsdienst files documenting Erskine's movements. Later, Steve and Agent Carter are seen being escorted in the backseat of a car where he awkwardly makes small talk with her. Peggy bluntly asks if he's ever talked to a woman and Steve responds that this is the longest conversation he's had with one. She huffs saying he's never kissed, he shakes his head, held hands, he does the same thing, probing afterwards or even danced, Steve assures her nope.
He goes on about how it's not from a lack of trying, they weren't interested, and then he just sorta stopped thinking about it. Agent Carter assures him there's someone for everyone and Steve claims that's what Bucky always said. Noticing Peggy's confusion, he clarifies his best friend, they've known each other since they were kids, he always had his back. She asks if he's serving and Steve clarifies different platoon, this is the longest they've been apart actually until the car stops and Peggy informs him that they're here.
They both then get out of the car and go into what seems to be an ordinary store. After approaching the clerk, she asks a question and Agent Carter answers with the specific countersign as she lets them in through the back to what's revealed to be a secret laboratory full of scientists and personnel, Agent Carter stating that this is it, Project Rebirth. General Phillips then greets Steve before leading him to the gallery where he's introduced to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who approaches him subtly supported by Secret Service agents.
They shake hands and Steve insists it's an honor while President Roosevelt looks over his frail stature, asking if this is who they picked. When General Phillips nods, Roosevelt tells the guards to put him down, they warn him the press is here but he insists to put him down dammit. After doing as told everyone is taken aback seeing him in a wheelchair until he wheels over to Steve and tells him to "get better, son."
Steve then walks downstairs to the lab where Abraham Erskine asks him if he's ready, Steve responds definitely. It cuts to him undressed before getting secured into the chamber. Erskine then injects him with a needle to which Steve replies that wasn't so bad, only for Erskine to inform him that was Penicillin.
The chamber then closes and once the experiment starts Erskine picks up a microphone before explaining to the gallery that after the serum is injected into the subject's main muscle groups he'll be doused with potent levels of Gamma Radiation, the only source of energy strong enough to activate the dormant effects of the serum. Afterwards, stating to rest assured the serum will still protect him from the cellular damage he would have otherwise been exposed.
Erskine then turns off the microphone as the power is turned up and the chamber begins glowing with energy from the inside, staying this way as everyone watches while the scientists scream out percentages until finally stopping. Once the chamber opens again Steve is revealed to have grown nearly a foot taller and gained hundreds of pounds of extra muscle. Erskine takes the microphone again announcing Project Rebirth's first specimen as the entire room and gallery applauds. Steve is then escorted out of the chamber before getting dressed again while everyone comes down to take pictures and admire him. Agent Carter says that he looks good and asks how he feels, Steve replies taller.
During the celebration, one of the personnel is seen with a detonator in their hand which they press only for a miniature explosion to go off, revealing the man to be a Sicherheitsdienst spy named Heinz Kruger. In the panic he proceeds to then pull out a gun and shoot Erskine before stealing all the remaining vials of Super Soldier Serum. Secret Service yells to protect the President while Kruger gets away but not before getting shot in the arm by Agent Carter. Steve meanwhile goes down to Erskine in his final moments who only encourages Steve to "stop him." Kruger is then seen shooting everyone who gets in his way before escaping into a car.
Just as it looks like he's about to get away Steve starts literally running after him through the streets. Clumsy with his newfound abilities, he's still able to eventually jump on the car once it makes it to the docks and tears it apart forcing Kruger on foot. Outmatched, he then takes a child and throws them into the water, Steve deciding to save their life rather than pursue Kruger, who calls up his one man submarine from the harbor and escapes. In the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the submarine is eventually picked up by a Nazi U-Boat where Johann Schmidt is waiting until Heinz Kruger shows him a bag full of serum vials.
Act 2[]
Back at Camp Lehigh, General Phillips is talking with President Roosevelt. The President comments that he never shared the formula and Phillips answers not with anyone. He was always protective of that serum, it's a miracle he made it for them at all. Roosevelt confirms that's it then, he's their only Super Soldier with Phillips claiming and that's why they need to get him on the field ASAP, use him for everything he's got.
The President insists but he's not just another soldier and General Phillips asks if he wants him to give him a promotion or something but Roosevelt clarifies he wants him to represent their country out in the field, like a living breathing symbol of hope for every young man out there.
Outside in the infirmary, Steve is shown getting his vitals checked in a series of tests. Once it's finished Agent Carter looks over the paperwork with him saying that his results are incredible, even better than Doctor Erskine speculated they would. Steve mumbles he should've seen it himself and Peggy tells him he's his legacy then.
Suddenly, they both hear someone yell out that he got big. Turning around, Bucky walks forward dressed in his uniform as Steve and him hug. He then tells him he heard about the experiment, had to see it to believe it. Steve then tells him to speak for himself and Bucky exclaims 107th infantry, getting shipped out to England first thing tomorrow.
Steve says he wants to be fighting right by his side until Bucky asks who the lovely lady is, she introduces herself and extends her hand but Bucky proceeds to kiss it, only for Peggy to awkwardly pull away. General Phillips then calls out for Rogers as Steve gets in formation and acknowledges him.
Phillips says congratulations, he is now officially a Captain for the United States armed forces. Steve is surprised and asks if he's serious only for Phillips to say he's always serious, he'll be getting personalized weapons and armor before putting his own platoon together, asking if he's got any names in mind only for Steve to look over at Bucky.
In Berlin, Johann Schmidt is celebrating with Hitler in his office over Schnapps. Once he pours them both glasses he says cheers to his Füher before handing him his glass. Hitler and him both drink until asking how many Ubermensch can he expect from the stolen serums and Schmidt sighs before confessing unfortunately, there's only enough for one, and it should be him.
Hitler looks up at him, skeptical, as Schmidt argues that he's stronger, braver, and better than any other man, besides him of course, reminding how he's served by his side since the day he found him, he knows he could end this war with his barehands, he just needs the chance. Hitler and him lock gazes in uninterrupted silence until saying that he always knew he was a true Aryan, and he knows he will make them strong.
Cutting to London, it shows inside a bunker where Agent Carter introduces Steve to Howard Stark, from the Manhattan Project. Steve politely says it's nice to meet him before extending his hand only for Howard to tell him to stay right there, giving Steve a large metallic disc. He observes it's a shield and Howard tells him not just a shield, that's solid Vibranium, completely vibration absorbent, harder than steel, one third the weight. Steve says that he appreciates it but a shield isn't gonna do much good out in the field until Howard picks up a pistol and shoots at him, Steve reacting at the last second to deflect the bullets with the shield.
Once he's done Agent Carter asks Howard if he's out of his mind until he bends down and shows her the bullets completely crushed, explaining that they drop on contact. Steve, now more impressed, asks why these aren't standard issue as Howard explains there's only fourteen pounds of Vibranium on Earth outside the Kingdom of Wakanda, he's lucky he could get him that, afterwards telling him now come on, he'll show him the suit.
At the Ahnenerbe, the entire Nazi party is waiting while Johann Schmidt walks forward, greeting as well as shaking all of their hands before undressing and entering the chamber. Once inside, Hitler announces to the entire party that what they are about to witness today will be the true face of their Empire, a superior man to purge the world for his brothers and sisters.
The experiment then starts as the serum is injected and the chamber begins glowing from the inside. Everyone can hear Schmidt begin to scream in agonizing pain from inside the chamber, but nonetheless all remain silent, until it's finally done and the chamber opens only to reveal Schmidt's body horribly disfigured into what resembles a red skeleton. Everyone gasps as Hitler demands his guards take them away, Schmidt asks to let him see only for the guards to take him too.
At the Whip and Fiddle Pub, Bucky brings Steve inside while telling him that all the best guys hang out here, to take his pick. Steve mentions but he had someone in mind and Bucky says they met in training, Dum Dum was the best explosives guy at the entire base. They then see Dum Dum Dugan in the middle of a brawl, getting beaten badly, until noticing Bucky which makes him stop fighting entirely and instead boastfully greet him. They then go to a table where Dum Dum and Bucky casually banter with each other until asking Steve if he's even touched his beer yet, only for him to explain he drank four of them already, he's not getting a buzz.
Dum Dum Dugan then says to tell him, what does a Super Soldier want with a guy like him. Steve says that they're going to be liberating Camp Fossoli, it's deep into enemy lines, a good chance a lot of them won't make it, but he needs brave men to help him do this and save a lot of lives. Suddenly, someone asks what's the pay, swiftly moving over to the table and introducing himself as James Montgomery Falsworth. Steve responds saying standard only for Falsworth to claim it's not his usual rate, but they look like a bunch of fine chaps, it'll do.
Bucky tells him this isn't some booze cruise, get lost, but Steve says let's give him a chance, afterwards asking what he can do. Falsworth tells him he likes weapons, swords, axes, spears, guns, they all tickle his fancy really. Steve asks why he isn't on the frontlines right now then and Falsworth insists dear old Daddy wasn't keen on his only heir fighting in a pleb's war. Steve then extends his hand telling him welcome to the team until Dum Dum says to hold up, he's not going anywhere with this guy until he's had a drink and a fist fight with him. Falsworth though says he seconds that before they both start drinking their beers and everyone relaxes again.
They afterwards look over at a Japanese-American soldier sitting by himself as Falsworth mutters that he's probably a damn spy only for Dum Dum to claim if it were up to him, they'd all be in camps. He then throws his glass only for Steve to grab it mid air saying that's a soldier just like them, asking what's the matter with him. Steve then puts the glass down and walks over to the soldier, asking him what his name is. He haphazardly says Jim Morita and after introducing himself Steve says he's putting a platoon together and couldn't help but notice his uniform, wanted to extend the offer if he has any special skills.
Morita, annoyed, answers in Japanese that he speaks seven languages, sarcastically asking if that's good enough for him and Steve answers in Japanese saying absolutely. Adding on that they need a linguistics expert, impressing Morita. Meanwhile in Berlin, Nazi soldiers open the door into a dark prison cell where the deformed Johann Schmidt is being kept. They say to follow them and he does as told until it cuts to a redoubt built into the peaks of the Austrian Alps. Once escorted, the Nazi soldiers tell him he'll be serving the Füher here, his strength is valuable, it will be used when the need arises.
Schmidt says that he understands as the soldiers leave and he hears a familiar voice, Arnim Zola, asking Schmidt if that's truly him. Zola then walks forward to get a better look while Schmidt does the same, seeing himself through the reflection on Zola's screen for the first time, as he gawks at the deformities the camera eventually refocuses on only his eyes. Late at night through the forests of Italy, Steve is covered with a camouflage poncho sitting upfront with the African-American driver, Gabe Jones, along with the rest of his platoon being driven to Camp Fossoli.
Gabe asks Steve if he's sure he wants to sit up here with him, he can pull over if he wants to hang out with the rest but Steve answers of course not, wanting to know why he'd ask that. Gabe responds guys that look like "you" don't usually want to sit with guys that look like "me" with Steve answering they all breathe the same air, drink the same water, asking how much difference is there. In the back of the truck, James Falsworth is supplying everyone with their guns, including Dum Dum Dugan's special request, claiming it wasn't easy to find.
Afterwards, the truck stops with Gabe Jones telling them that they're here. The radio specialist Izzy Cohen picks up a frequency from the camp which Jim Morita translates, Cohen telling them let's go as he takes out his Star of David necklace and kisses it. Dum Dum Dugan then places a bomb next to the barbed wire fence blowing a small enough hole to let them all in. Once inside, Nazi soldiers guarding the perimeter are suddenly taken out by Bucky on the sniper, allowing Steve to lead everyone in further.
This continues until finally getting to the prison block where Steve shushes the emaciated prisoners before taking off his poncho revealing himself to be dressed in red, white and blue armor and holding his shield painted the same giving while giving them water, saying that they're here to save them.
He and the platoon all let them out only for the alarms to soon after go off and the entire camp to go into a shoot out, with one of the Nazi soldiers using his com to command they call in the Red Skull. The platoon meanwhile fight their way through the Camp while Dum Dum Dugan uses a gun that shoots exploding Dum Dum rounds against them. Suddenly, Jim Morita gets his neck snapped from behind by Schmidt, the Red Skull, who starts using his super soldier strength and durability to turn the tides back in favor of the Nazis until getting punched by Steve.
Confused, Red Skull gets up and stares him down before punching back, Steve then muttering that he's about as mean as he looks. Trying to punch him again, Steve though blocks it with his shield and the two start fighting, yelling for the platoon to get the prisoners out of here. Once they lead them all out and with neither Steve nor Red Skull able to beat each other, Steve eventually stops the distraction and escapes behind the prisoners into the forest, Red Skull then demanding the Nazi soldiers to find them!
The next day at a hidden military encampment, Agent Carter gives General Phillips the latest report, telling him no sign of activity from any friendlies. Phillips responds they were supposed to be moving down south today, anymore delay risks them getting caught by the authorities. The soldiers then all start to gather while Phillips wonders what's going and follows along with Agent Carter only to see Steve alongside his platoon and the prisoners finally make it. Cracking a smile, General Phillips shouts out let's hear it for Captain America as the entire encampment begins cheering. Agent Carter then quietly approaches Steve and tells him that he's late only to respond she would know.
At the Alpine Redoubt, Red Skull is telling Arnim Zola that he was a true Ubermensch in every sense of the word. Zola is fascinated but asks why he was serving the Untermensch then but Red Skull claims he keeps asking himself that same question, it's a crime against nature for such a man to be used in that way. Arnim points out no different than them only for Schmidt to viciously grab him and shout out that they are monsters, know his place. Cutting to London, Bucky asks Steve if he's sure about this and he responds that he's from Brooklyn too, and he knows nine languages, bootcamp was hard for all of them.
They then move into the barracks where Sam Sawyer, once he sees Steve, stands up and salutes with Steve insisting at ease. He then says he was wondering if he was interested in joining his platoon, their last linguist was lost during the Camp Fossoli liberation. Sawyer asks why he would want someone like him and Steve says because he's the best man for the job, and he believes in him. Contemplating it, Sawyer asks how he could ever say no as they then both shake hands.
It then begins doing a time skip while playing a cover of a song about the Star Spangled Man showing comics, postcards, Uncle Sam spinoffs, and other merchandise about Captain America and his Howling Commandos becoming popular around the country while they fight in the European, African, and Pacific Theaters.
Izzy Cohen eventually getting killed in combat while Pinky Pinkerton gets recruited as a communications expert in his place. Red Skull meanwhile is shown to be fighting too, maligned as a mysterious boogeyman by Allied and Axis soldiers alike, in his spare time collecting Captain America merchandise that he looks over before turning his attention to an old notebook.
Act 3[]
At the County Fair back in America, Steve and Bucky are both on a double date enjoying the festivities. Later in the night Bucky and his date are making out while Steve asks if she wants another Snow Cone only to just respond by telling him how she read all his comics before coming tonight. Steve awkwardly asks if she wants him to sign one only for her to say he's a hero and the women of America owe him their thanks, afterwards trying to kiss him only for Steve to gently pull away, saying he's sorry.
Later, the date is ending while Bucky asks what happened, she's beautiful, and crazy about him. Steve insists he wasn't feeling it and Bucky points out they're shipping out tomorrow, he's tried to hook him up every time they get to come home and he barely even looks at them. Steve then finally tells Bucky he gets it, he wants him to be happy, but he's not comfortable with hook ups like he is. He frustratedly responds saying fine and that he'll see him tomorrow before walking off on his own.
Cutting to inside Camp Lehigh, Steve is sketching in his notepad a picture of a Penguin on an iceberg by itself until Agent Carter approaches and tells him that the Sergeant wants Captain America to give one more speech to the recruits before bed. She looks at his drawing and asks bad night and Steve insists bad date, Bucky's idea, again. Peggy says to never meet her parents, if she gets another call from her mother about when she's going to get married she'll storm into Berlin by herself. They both laugh and Steve adds on he always thought the Military was the perfect excuse and Peggy says exactly, sarcastically asking why else he thinks she'd be here and Steve says the chauvinists and the hygiene maybe, they laugh again.
At the Alpine Redoubt, Red Skull is ranting to Arnim Zola that the Füher speaks of a thousand year reich but his troops spill their blood across every field in Europe, surrounded by enemies on all sides, the decline has already begun and they haven't even started, Zola in turn cowardly agreeing by telling him of course. He finally finishes by saying that he is going to help him find the Cosmic Cube and win this war for them.
Confused, Zola repeats "Cosmic Cube?" and Red Skull chuckles that such power has always baffled primitive men, afterwards explaining the Cosmic Cube was an ancient piece of technology used by their ancestors to conquer the world, and for a select few, transcend mortality itself.
Most thought it a myth, but he always knew better even when his searches came up empty. This isolation has given him time to refocus and figure out his mistake, he kept looking north, when he should've kept his sights here, towards superior men. Taking out a map, Red Skull points to a mountain before saying Wundagore. Arnim Zola acknowledges the Füher will never allow him to look but Red Skull insists he may be a monstrosity, but there are still some who remember who he once was.
Inside a bunker in London, Captain America and the Howling Commandos are listening to Agent Carter tell them that intelligence is reporting unusual behavior from Nazi forces along the French border. Captain America asks what's going on and Peggy explains they're guarding a path through the Black Forest, in the middle of their own territory, it doesn't lead anywhere. Dum Dum Dugan clarifies they could be testing an atom bomb while Gabe Jones suggests or worse only for Falsworth to insist it's as good of an excuse as any to roast some sauerkraut, "isn't it, gentlemen."
In the middle of the snow covered Black Forest, a tank blows a hole into the side of Mount Wundagore while Red Skull walks in alongside Heinz Kruger. He thanks Kruger for bringing his men together and Kruger tells him of course, he's the reason they serve him. Walking in further, Red Skull sees the mountain to be hollowed out where the walls are inscribed with runes as well as a facsimile of the Yggdrasil until noticing a large complex wooden box sits at the center of the room. Opening the top the room is then suddenly filled with an illuminating blue light as Red Skull picks up the glowing blue cube housed inside, the source of the light.
Meanwhile, on a mountainside nearby the Howling Commandos are situated waiting for Nazi forces. Steve glances down at a locket with Agent Carter's portrait in it until Bucky says now it makes sense. Quickly closing the locket he stammers but Bucky asks why he doesn't ask her to dance but Steve claims he knows he can't dance and Bucky says his room tonight, the right moves will put any broad on her knees, Captain America or not. Sawyer then interrupts saying they're here as a train is seen passing by and Captain America instructs everyone to get moving, there's only a ten second window until they're bugs on a windshield.
Landing on top of the train, Captain America uses his shield to break him and the Howling Commandos inside. Red Skull meanwhile is holding the Cosmic Cube to observe until seeing Captain America on the security feed. He tells his soldiers to stop them as the Howling Commandos are soon overwhelmed by Nazis.
Fighting them off, Captain America and the Howling Commandos are able to hold their own as Red Skull watches, only for him to eventually get up from his chair. The fighting continues until suddenly a blue blast is shot, almost hitting Captain America who blocks it with his shield and instead deflects it to blow a hole in the train instead, revealed to be shot from Red Skull using the Cosmic Cube.
He continues using the Cosmic Cube to force all the Howling Commandos into hiding except for Bucky who gets knocked out the blown off hole, only to hang on by the ledge. Steve calls out for him to take his hand as he tries to get him, and just as he's about to grab it Red Skull shoots a Cosmic Cube blast that blows Bucky's arm off and sends him falling to his death.
Heartbroken, Steve throws his shield at Red Skull which knocks him back, but before he can do anything else Red Skull uses the Cosmic Cube again causing it to miraculously make him to disappear. At the same time, Dum Dum Dugan is able to find Heinz Kruger and hold him up at gunpoint.
At the Alpine Redoubt, Arnim Zola is doing research until the Red Skull appears in a flash of blue. Confused, Zola calls out to him and Red Skull shows him the Tesseract, announcing that he was right. He then puts it down explaining that Captain America raided the railway, it would've all been over had the Cosmic Cube not transported him here, its potential is limitless, truly a weapon of the Gods. Taking his notebook, Red Skull shows Zola schematics he drew up saying he's had ideas, make them and soon.
In holding, a bruised Heinz Kruger is restrained to a table until General Phillips sits across from him. Phillips then says he heard he hasn't been very cooperative with the interrogators, Kruger doesn't say anything. Phillips rephrases that it won't matter, he's going back home soon, sliding over a document for his release.
His face shifting to confusion, Phillips explains prisoner exchange with Berlin, they give him for some of their boys. Noticing Kruger's face starting to become unsettled he asks if he doesn't like that, commenting how he wouldn't be too happy either if one of his soldiers went on a field trip with a disgraced science experiment.
Kruger asks what he wants and Phillips says answers, about Schmidt, consider it a downpayment for everything he did last time he was here. Contemplating for a few seconds, Kruger mumbles there's a base in the Alps, they're keeping Schmidt there, with others. Agent Carter meanwhile finds Steve sitting by himself in the remains of the bombed Whip and Fiddle pub.
She sits down with him until he speaks up saying that somehow he thought this place was gonna last, that they'd all get a drink here once the war was over, should've known better. Peggy says it's not his fault but Steve claims he knows that, but who's gonna look out for him now.
Confused, Peggy asks what and Steve clarifies Bucky was his first shield, the only reason not to be afraid when the whole world wanted to step on him. Asking how he is supposed to be Captain America now without that. Agent Carter then telling Steve for God's sake as she gets irritated, saying he has a shield now, Bucky wasn't protecting him, he was protecting Bucky, look at himself in a mirror.
Steve replies so what if he's taller and stronger now, he's still that same skinny kid from Brooklyn that couldn't get past basic training but Peggy says to look past that at what Erskine saw, not a perfect soldier, but a good man. Listening to her words, Steve takes them to heart before asking once this is over if she'd like to go dancing and Peggy smiles before saying she'd love to.
Red Skull at the Alpine Redoubt watches Arnim Zola placing the Cosmic Cube into a battery he designed, claiming this will utilize the Cosmic Cube's energy to power any weapons system it's connected towards. He asks what that will be and Zola confirms the Valkyrie aircraft shall be arriving from their friends in the SS shortly. Red Skull mutters that America will finally feel all the pain their men have been forced to endure only for Zola to point out this has enough destructive power to decimate every hostile capital on Earth, why limit themselves to the allies.
Angrily focusing his gaze, Red Skull says he speaks of treason but Zola though argues that their comrades have left them behind, they are not Aryans anymore and have no place in their world. But with the Cosmic Cube they can become the superior men above even them but before he can say anymore Red Skull begins using his strength to tear Zola's machinery apart, killing him in the process before mumbling "treacherous filth". In the London bunker, Howard Stark is doing an experiment on a leftover particle from the Cosmic Cube until cutting to him reporting to General Phillips that it's a compressed wormhole!
Phillips asks what that means and Stark says how there's loose energy, space dust, stars, radiation floating all around them everywhere. This "box" that the Nazis got it's able to open portals and release it, from anywhere in the universe. General Phillips comments the literal power of the universe, that not what he wanted to hear until Captain America from behind says but it's nothing they can't handle, turning around to see Steve and Peggy walking in. It then shows them along with the Howling Commandos all together where Captain America says Kruger wasn't able to give them exact coordinates to the Alpine Redoubt before asking Gabe Jones if he thinks he can narrow it down, Jones insists it won't be easy, but he can.
Dum Dum Dugan comments once they find it then what, it's not like they can just knock on the front door. Captain America says that's exactly what they're gonna do, Schmidt has something big planned with the Cosmic Cube and they don't have time to wait and find out what. Afterwards asking if they're in or not, Sawyer says he'd follow him anywhere, "Captain America", as all the other Commandos turn their attention to Steve in agreement.
Cutting to the Redoubt, the Valkyrie is stationed and fueling while Red Skull tells the soldiers to coordinate the flight route down the eastern seaboard, naming multiple cities in particular that he wanted targeted, Boston, New York, Washington, Miami, and then they they move to the heartland.
Suddenly, Captain America and the Howling Commandos attach their grappling hooks onto the side of the mountain and break through the windows. Distressed, Red Skull demands the soldiers start the emergency engines as he escapes and Captain America, noticing him getting away, starts chasing after him through the halls and corridors. Dum Dum Dugan meanwhile says to bring in the boys as allied soldiers then start pouring in and overwhelming the entire redoubt, Falsworth quipping to them that they had this quite handled.
Making it to the landing strip Red Skull manages to get into the Valkyrie, activating the Cosmic Cube battery and starting the engines before the mechanics are done working on it, blowing them away while Captain America desperately runs after it, trying to jump on once it become air born only to just barely miss the cargo bay door closing.
Just as it looks like he's about to get away, Agent Carter and General Phillips arrive having hijacked Schmidt's old car which they use to drive and give him another chance. Just before Steve is about to jump Peggy wishes him good luck and Steve passionately kisses her, after he's done he looks to General Phillips who insists he's not kissing him as Captain America then lunges onto the folding wheels, making it in just before it fully descends.
Exploring the interior of the Valkyrie, Captain America looks for Red Skull only to notice he's missing from the pilot's seat until he jumps out and attacks him. Instead of fighting back, Captain America instead tries to pummel the Cosmic Cube battery with his shield, damaging it, but still being stopped by Red Skull before he can destroy it.
Prepared to keep fighting Captain America starts lifting himself off the ground as Red Skull just asks "why?" why get up, why keep fighting, is it for fame, for God, for justice, for peace, for his nation, does he even know!? Because the future only exists for one people! Angrily kicking him while ranting Ubermensch! Aryans! His brethren! He could be a king if only he stopped fighting for those too stupid to even appreciate his idiotic sacrifices.
Captain America then finally gets himself onto his feet while Red Skull asks again so why does he fight him only for Steve to insist because it's right. They then continue as the Cosmic Cube battery begins to malfunction and blasts energy all through the interior, one of the beams hitting Red Skull and causing him to start evaporating before completely disappearing from the ship entirely. Captain America then manages to avoid it and maneuvers to the cockpit, only to see the button that shuts off the battery has been broken off. Contacting the allied forces on the ground, Pinky Pinkerton responds until Agent Carter rushes to the com once she hears it's Steve.
He explains to her that Schmidt's dead, he's controlling the ship but the weapon isn't stable. Peggy says to give her the coordinates and they'll find him a safe landing site but Steve says it's moving too fast, but he's right over the arctic circle, he can put it in the water, but he'll have to stay on the controls to make sure it goes in. Agent Carter pleads they can get Howard Stark but Steve argues there's no time and if he waits any longer he'll lose his chance, millions of people died to get him to this point, and Bucky, he can't let their lives go to waste.
She then looks over to General Phillips telling him to order Steve not to do this but Phillips says he can't order him to bring a Weapon of Mass Destruction closer to civilians. Steve assures her it's going to be okay before looking over his locket of her and then finally aiming the Valkyrie downward into the ice, assuring him he's here over the com until hearing nothing but static on the other end, weeping at his demise.
Cutting to black, Steve awakens finding himself in bed dressed out of his Captain America uniform and into clean clothes. The nurse soon comes in surprised that he's awake only for Steve to ask where he is, they assure to just wait here a minute but Steve gets up and moves her out of the way, running through crowds of Agents in black suits out of the lobby only to find himself in the middle of a modern day Times Square. Bewildered by what he's seeing, S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury from behind him says "Captain America!" and as he turns around tells him that he's been asleep for almost seventy years.
End Credits[]
Teasing The Avengers
Steve is looking at his locket of Peggy Carter until Director Fury tells him he should be getting some sleep, and Steve says that he can't, he doesn't recognize anything anymore. Fury says it will take some getting used to, but if he's awake there's something he has to show him. Leading Steve into another room, S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents are seen holding a large container as he explains it should serve some comfort to know his sacrifice wasn't in vain, opening the case to reveal the Cosmic Cube being kept inside, Fury explaining they were able to repair it as Steve just gazes over it.
Trivia[]
- The Cosmic Cube on Earth-616 is a reality warping artifact created by a race of extraterrestrials called the Beyonders. Having teleportation abilities is exclusive to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- The Howling Commandos were originally led by Nick Fury in the comics, not Captain America. They instead act as a stand-in to the superhuman team in World War II known as the Invaders.
- Bucky Barnes is an amalgamation between the Ultimate version of the character, who was a childhood friend of Steve Rogers instead of his young sidekick, and Arnold Roth, another of Steve Rogers' childhood friends who often protected him from bullies.
- Howard Stark is the father of Tony Stark aka Iron Man, the lead hero of the Iron Man franchise.
- During World War II on Earth-616, the Red Skull only wears a mask and suffers no physical deformities until much later in the continuity.
- Vibranium is said to be incredibly rare outside of Wakanda, an African nation from the comics and homeland of the Black Panther. On Earth-616, Captain America's shield is not made of Vibranium alloy but instead Adamantium alloy.
- Project Nietzsche in the comics was the name of the German government program to unlock the genetic potential of the captured World War I hero John Steele.
- Unlike in the source material, Captain America is shown to have received genuine superhuman abilities from the Super Soldier Serum as opposed to being enhanced to merely peak human physique.
- The version of Arnim Zola who appears in the film was forced into becoming an android as a result of mutilation from the Red Skull, as opposed to in the comics where he chooses to become one via experiments to transfer consciousness into inanimate objects.
- Jim Morita replaces Junior Juniper in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the first Howling Commando to die in the field. His successor in the comics, Pinky Pinkerton, however, succeeds Izzy Cohen.
- Red Skull's speech to Captain America during the final fight is an homage to Agent Smith's iconic speech to Neo during the final fight of The Matrix Revolutions who was also played by Hugo Weaving.
- Gil Hodge in the comics is named Gilmore Hodge and defected to the Nazi Party. This is referenced by him originally being Steve Rogers' bully at bootcamp.
- James Montgomery Falsworth is a patriotic British superhero in the comics called Union Jack who, like the film version, comes from an aristocratic family.
- Bucky's arm being blasted off is a reference to his comic book alter ego The Winter Soldier, who is known for having a bionic arm.
- Captain America was frozen in the comics from crashing into the English Channel instead of the Arctic Circle, from a bomb launched by Baron Heinrich Zemo, not Red Skull.