The Password Is Courage (1962)

A British officer, captured by the Germans, tries everything he can to escape. In the process, amongst many other adventures he gets awarded the Iron Cross !! Based on a true story.

Director:

Andrew L. Stone

Writers:

Andrew L. Stone (screenplay), John Castle (based on the biography of Charles Coward by)

Stars:

Dirk Bogarde, Maria Perschy, Alfred Lynch

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dirk Bogarde	...	Sergant-Major Charles Coward
Maria Perschy	...	Irena
Alfred Lynch	...	Corporal Bill Pope
Nigel Stock	...	Cole
Reginald Beckwith	...	Unterofficer
Richard Marner	...	Schmidt
Ed Devereaux	...	Aussie
Lewis Fiander	...	Pringle
George Mikell	...	Necke
Richard Carpenter	...	Robinson
Bernard Archard	...	1st Prisoner of war
Ferdy Mayne	...	1st German officer at French farm
George Pravda	...	2nd German officer at French farm
Olaf Pooley	...	German Doctor
Michael Mellinger	...	Feldwebel

Storyline

A British officer, captured by the Germans, tries everything he can to escape. In the process, amongst many other adventures he gets awarded the Iron Cross !! Based on a true story.

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Plot Keywords:

british | escape | prison camp | sabotage | poland | 

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Taglines:

Der Fuehrer Made Two Mistakes-Starting a War...and Capturing Charlie!

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Genres:

War | Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

21 December 1962 (USA)

Also Known As:

Apodrasis tin avgi

Filming Locations:

Gateway Service Station, Scratchwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Andrew L. Stone Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

When Sergeant Major Coward is discussing linking up with the Polish Underground, he is told that the agent is an optician somewhere in Poland, in Breslau. Breslau was in fact a German city and did not become Polish until after WW2 when the boundaries of Poland were shifted westwards and the name changed to Wroclaw.

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Soundtracks

"Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major"
(uncredited)
Written by Art Noel and Don Pelosi

User Reviews

Stalag VIII

This rarely seen film was presented on cable recently. In a way, this is a story that has been done before. The best thing about it is how well the copy that was shown has been kept. The black and white photography of David Boulton still looks fresh. Andrew L. Stone adapted the material as well as directed it.

Most comments seem to be divided as to this version being a carbon copy of "The Great Escape", or "Hogan Heroes", in a way, it kept reminding us of "Stalag 17", which was the basis for the television series. While the movie is not up to the above mentioned models, it shows a more realistic approach to the insanity of war and the humor the British prisoners brought to their predicament.

One thing comes clear, Dirk Bogarde was brilliant in his portrayal of Sgt. Maj. Charles Coward, a man that played a game of cat and mouse with his Nazi captors. Coward seemed to know how to escape from the Germans, only to end up being taken prisoner again, and again. He even finds love with a partisan girl during the time of war!

The film was obviously shot is England. Evidently, this was a low budget effort, and it shows. Had it been a Hollywood production, it would have been blown out of proportion, but what we really enjoy from "The Password is Courage" is the bonding one watches among all the prisoners.