The Passage
The Passage

The Passage

1979Movie99 minEnglish

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.

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IMDb5.1/10
Director: J. Lee ThompsonGenres: War, Drama

Plot Summary

During the Spanish Civil War, a small band of Republican soldiers, led by a disillusioned former priest, are tasked with a perilous mission to escort a young woman carrying vital information across enemy lines. They face constant pursuit from Fascist forces, treacherous terrain, and the internal conflicts arising from their desperate struggle for survival. The journey becomes a test of faith, endurance, and the human spirit against overwhelming odds.

Critical Reception

The Passage was met with a largely negative reception from critics, who found its narrative convoluted and its themes heavy-handed. While some acknowledged the potential for a compelling war drama, the execution was widely criticized for its pacing and predictable plot points. Audience reception was similarly lukewarm, with the film failing to find a significant following.

What Reviewers Say

  • Criticized for its predictable plot and heavy-handed dialogue.
  • The film struggles to balance its war drama elements with its religious and philosophical undertones.
  • Performances were noted, but could not salvage the overall weak narrative.

Google audience: Audience reviews for 'The Passage' are scarce, but available comments suggest a general disappointment with the film's pacing and a perceived lack of emotional depth. Some viewers found the themes thought-provoking, but many felt the execution fell short of its ambitious goals.

Fun Fact

Director J. Lee Thompson, known for films like 'The Guns of Navarone' and 'Cape Fear', had previously directed Anthony Quinn in 'The Guns of Navarone'.

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TMDB Reviews

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CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Malcom McDowall manages to portray the epitome of Nazi SS nastiness in this story with a worryingly natural aplomb! He is leading a party pursuing James Mason ("Prof. Bergson") who, alongside his family, is being smuggled from France into S...