Movie spotlight
Sergeant-Major Charles Coward, a brave British soldier is captured by German forces during World War II. When he's thrown into a prisoner of war camp, he immediately plans his escape. Masquerading as a wounded German soldier, he makes it as far as the medical tent, where the deceived enemy forces award him the Iron Cross. Though he is ultimately discovered, he goes on to courageously pursue his freedom with a whimsical and undying audacity.
During World War II, a British prisoner of war, Claude, escapes a German POW camp and undertakes a perilous journey through occupied France. He faces constant danger from Nazi patrols and collaborators while trying to reach the Allied lines. Along the way, he encounters a variety of characters, some helpful and others treacherous, highlighting the complex moral landscape of wartime.
The film was met with a mixed to positive reception from critics upon its release. While some praised its dramatic tension and performances, others found its pacing uneven and its portrayal of wartime events somewhat conventional. It is generally regarded as a solid, if not groundbreaking, war drama.
Praised for its suspenseful escape sequences and the lead performance.
Criticized by some for a predictable narrative arc.
Seen as a competent, albeit standard, World War II drama.
Google audience: Audience reviews are not readily available or consistently aggregated.
The film is based on the true story of British POW Claude Gurney and his escape from a German POW camp in 1944.
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This is a cracking showcase for an excellent Dirk Bogarde as Sgt. Maj. Coward - a British POW who sets about causing the maximum amount of havoc to his Nazi captors during WWII. Based on the true life antics of Mr. Coward, he manages to con...