The Passage (1979)

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Bruce Nicolaysen (novel)
Bruce Nicolaysen (screenplay)

Release Date:

March 1979 (Turkey)

Genre:

Action | Drama | War

Tagline:

An ice-swept escape route in front of them. A cold-blooded killer behind them. The only way out is up.

Plot:

During WW 2, a Basque shepherd is approached by the underground, who wants him to lead a scientist and his family across the Pyrenees. While being pursued by a sadistic German. |

Plot Keywords:

Train | Female Nudity | Nudity | Nazi | Assassination

Cast

Anthony Quinn	...	The Basque
James Mason	...	Professor Bergson
Malcolm McDowell	...	Capt. Von Berkow
Patricia Neal	...	Mrs. Bergson
Kay Lenz	...	Leah Bergson
Paul Clemens	...	Paul Bergson
Christopher Lee	...	Gypsy
Robert Rhys	...	Gypsy Son
Michael Lonsdale	...	Renoudot
Marcel Bozzuffi	...	Perea
Peter Arne	...	Guide
Neville Jason	...	Lt. Reinke
Robert Brown	...	Major
Rose Alba	...	Madame

Runtime:

USA:99 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:X | Iceland:16 | Australia:R | New Zealand:R16 | Finland:K-18 | France:-12 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Pyrénées, France

Company:

General Film

Trivia:

James Mason had predicted to his co-star Kay Lenz that the movie would be a flop at the box office. He said, "You mark my words. All films that are predominantly in thick snow are a flop at the box office. Somehow they make an audience feel uncomfortably cold and damp." It turned out he was right and the film flopped worldwide.

Average wartime motion picture with large cast and spectacular landscapes

The film talks upon a Basque shepherd(Anthony Quinn) whose assignment results to be the leading a family(James Mason,Patricia Neal,Kay Lenz and Clemens) through the Pyrenees (France)until Spain. But they are pursued by an evil Nazi officer (Malcolm McDowell).

The movie is set in Second War World when Hitler invaded France and ruled the collaborating government from Vichy under command of general Petain.

In the flick there are action,thriller,shocks,shootouts,drama and deal of violence and tortures in charge of Malcolm McDowell.

Anthony Quinn and James Mason are good and give nice performances ; also Christopher Lee acting as an agreeable gypsy, changing his usual villain role.

Malcolm McDowell interpretation is overblown, he plays as an evil ,sadist,wry and murderer Gestapo official.

The final confrontation between the starring family ,the Basque and the Nazis across the snowy landscapes is breathtaking.

The flick is regularly directed by J. Lee Thompson .

The yarn will appeal to suspense, emotions enthusiasts and WWII buffs.

Rating: 5'5 , mediocre.