I saw the movie back in the early '60s and really enjoyed it. I thought, when Hogan's Heros came out that they had based the series on this movie. I really didn't even think of TGE. It is great entertainment and good for some laughs and clean fun. A rare thing these days in movies. The fact that it was based on a true story makes it even better as far as I am concerned. One of the other reviewers says, the film isn't quite sure whether it should be serious or not. Perhaps it is supposed to be both. The fact that it tells a true story is great and that some fun could be had in the midst of all the war surely helped pass the time and elevate the spirits of the prisoners. One of the other reviewers noted that "The village scenes are quite obviously filmed in England" with little attempt to disguise any telltale signs. Probably very true - I go to the cinema to be entertained not to be critical of the movie. As a non-Brit I wouldn't be able to know about the carriages etc so it would not affect my appreciation of the film as it did his. Since it was such a long time ago I would very much like to view the film again. If any one knows where I can get a copy of it please let me know. Thanks. kansaskat33@yahoo.com
49 Reviews
Very entertaining and very much like "The Great Escape"
AlsExGal23 December 2017
Not just very much like The Great Escape - both films shared prisoners using the same techniques for obtaining materials, tunneling, disposal of dirt from the tunnel, hiding the tunnel entrance under stoves & the same slight issue with the tunnel exit.
I'd not seen this Borgarde film before TCM aired it, so it was startling how many plot similarities it shared with it's much more well known compatriot - I understand that both were in production around the same time (though Courage came out first), so neither were remakes of the other, but whether both referenced the same source material (Courage was apparently derived from the memoirs of Sgt Major Charles Coward), I'm not sure.
A side note: Anyone familiar with railways in England in the 60's will quickly notice that all the railway scenes in Courage, while supposed to be in continental Europe, were clearly filmed in England with a few cosmetic tweaks (German signage, smoke deflectors on the steam locomotives) to try to disguise things. The film also originally had a sequence representing events at Auschwitz, that was pulled at some point - presumably for being too dark a subject matter. You can still tell where this sequence was intended to be, as a narrative piece alludes to it, but the film immediately moves on.
I'd not seen this Borgarde film before TCM aired it, so it was startling how many plot similarities it shared with it's much more well known compatriot - I understand that both were in production around the same time (though Courage came out first), so neither were remakes of the other, but whether both referenced the same source material (Courage was apparently derived from the memoirs of Sgt Major Charles Coward), I'm not sure.
A side note: Anyone familiar with railways in England in the 60's will quickly notice that all the railway scenes in Courage, while supposed to be in continental Europe, were clearly filmed in England with a few cosmetic tweaks (German signage, smoke deflectors on the steam locomotives) to try to disguise things. The film also originally had a sequence representing events at Auschwitz, that was pulled at some point - presumably for being too dark a subject matter. You can still tell where this sequence was intended to be, as a narrative piece alludes to it, but the film immediately moves on.
Holds Up VERY WELL to The Great Escape
florida8722 May 2005
Updated review: I just read the book by the same name. The film tells about 40% of the book, and differ's significantly with Mr. Cowards escape. I originally rated this film an 8 of 10 but after reading the book I'm downgrading it to a 6. Coward was sent to a camp near Auschwitz and almost half the book deals with his time there. He discovered there was a British Officer of Jewish blood who was put in the death camp, and Coward managed to swap places with a Jew inside Auschwitz to try to rescue this British POW from certain death! If you can imagine the courage that feat alone took you get the idea of a man who lived as if he had nothing to lose, almost inviting death to take him throughout his 7 escapes (yes 7 times he crossed the "wire"). The film on reflection is quite shallow in it's telling of Mr. Cowards story. Because of his night inside Auschwitz, he was later to become a key witness in repatriation trials against the German firms that used slave labor. Perhaps because of the time this film was made (early 60's) with the cold war in it's full intensity, and the West embracing our now West German ally; and the fact that Mr. Cowards tale of Auschwitz may have be well known with the press coverage of trials he was a witness in, the film took a lightharded look at the book. On it's own it is an entertaining film to watch, but now in balance after reading the book (which itself wasn't the best written, but just the incredible story itself is riveting), it's a shame that a more wasn't put into the film than the "Hogans Heroes" treatment this film got. I really hope they remake this film and have the whole story inside, about the time Coward killed his oppressive Guard with an overdose, about the Polish Underground Army and the TNT that was smuggled into Auschwitz to blow up the incinerators and factory by the Jews, about the hooker that Coward tried to pay for to seek shelter for the night but instead took him to the police, about the time Coward stumbled into a V1 research plant and how he got that info to the British at home, I mean NONE of that is in the film and it's just an incredible story. Following is my original review before reading the book: I have seen the Great Escape at least a half dozen times, and its a "Guy Movie" Icon. I even watched it one time on TNT, and it was like over 3 hours long with the commercials, just to see Steve Mcqueen jump the barb wire (wanted to see if I could tell when the stuntman was in I guess). Anyway I watch it that long and they actually cut that scene out! Boy was I p.o.'d, but it shows you how I loved that movie. I just watch "Password is Courage" and it was a real treat! I found it a very entertaining movie and I loved seeing Bogarde, he was awesome. I did laugh out loud a couple of times at this and it had to be a partial inspiration for the TV show "Hogans Heroes". Some of these reviewers, to me, don't seem to realize that Great Escape and this movie are both based on the same "true" event so that's why they are both similar, LOL! It isn't that one or the other is a copy! Also, the character of SGT Major Coward is a REAL person! He is listed right there on the opening credits as a technical adviser! I did a very limited amount of research after watching this movie because if HALF of this movie is actually true, Mr Coward has some real big brass ones! What did I find out in just 5 minutes of a Google search? Mr Coward saved 400-800 Jews from death at Auschwitz! I just ordered the book by the same name to read more about a truly brave and blessed man, Charles Coward. And to the people that find the prisoners having a good attitude hard to swallow, thats one reason why escapes were organized and are still taught to the US military; so you don't grow into despair! Plus since Mr. Coward himself was technical adviser I'm gonna take his word that most of this actually happened. See it, and than you'll probably want to know more about this man's story!
still worth seeing
anthonyrwaldman19 January 2008
I First saw this film on its release in 1962. Unfortunalely, I had read John Castle's biography of sargant- major Charles Coward before I saw the film. A large section of the book deals with Coward's attempts to help Jews escape from the Auchwitz death camp. The film dealt with this by having a five minute segment where Henry Piek's drawings of the horrors of Auchwitz are shown with Dirk Bogarde giving a voice over commentary. Well, at least it was a film that mentioned the Hollocaust . A very rear thing in the early 1960's. I saw this film again just recently on television and the Auchwitz segment had been edited out of the film. So, now the film is just another Second World War adventure movie along with an unlikely romantic interest that was not in the biography (Coward was married and very much devoted to his wife). But, there is something about this film that makes it different from other British war time escape films. It is about ordinary soldiers and not officers. These soldiers have been put to work by the Germans and the p.o.w. camps do not have the air of the British public school. These other ranks do not just try to escape but commit dangerous acts of sabotage. Therefore, on the whole this film is still worth seeing. It it was great to see the wonderful Dirk Bogarde playing a cockney character part that he does so well.
Stalag VIII
jotix10029 March 2005
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.
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.
An Enlisted Man's "Great Escape"
robertguttman28 May 2014
All of the characters in that well-known film, "The Great Escape", were commissioned officers. But what about the "other ranks"? How did they fare under German captivity? "The Password is Courage" attempts to shed some light on the lives of the enlisted prisoners-of-war. It follows the experiences of a British Sergeant-Major, bearing the unlikely name of Coward, who proves to be anything but. Played by Dirk Borgarde, Sgt.-Maj. Coward was among the many British troops who couldn't manage to make it out of France after the fall of Dunkirk in 1940. Although taken prisoner, he did not consider himself out of the war and. For the next four years he did everything he could to make keeping him a prisoner as inconvenient as possible for his captors.
Some of the film seems far-fetched. However, it was based upon the exploits of a real man. In fact, there seems to be every reason to believe that Charlie Coward's real experiences were, if anything, even more extraordinary than those depicted in the movie. All in all, a top- drawer British "ripping yarn".
Some of the film seems far-fetched. However, it was based upon the exploits of a real man. In fact, there seems to be every reason to believe that Charlie Coward's real experiences were, if anything, even more extraordinary than those depicted in the movie. All in all, a top- drawer British "ripping yarn".
A good war movie
hbc194923 October 2004
A poor man's "Great Escape", perhaps, but done in 1962 (a year before Steve and the gang) and the similarities are wild! The dirt disposal in the recreation yard; coming up 40 feet short of the woods as they tunnel; the capture at the train station......just who was doing the copying? Great Escape was big budget with great music. "Password" is lower in key but very entertaining...and both were based on real events and people. Plus....Bogarde's character lived, unlike "X" in Great Escape.
I enjoyed it! A great light-movie to watch.
Boba_Fett11385 July 2006
Of course this movie is being often compared to "The Great Escape". The similarities between the story lines are striking and some of the sequences are almost exactly the same. Only keep in mind that this movie was actually released a year before the great escape and this movie its story is based on the real events as lived by Charles Coward, who also served as a consultant for this movie, while "The Great Escape" is based on a totally other true story.
The movie is not an heavy confronting WW II POW movie. Instead its more of a comedy at times with almost slapstick like events and characters. It does make the movie a bit unbalanced and silly to watch but for me it also made the movie very light and easy. I'm not really sure though what for a movie this was supposed to be; A comedy or a drama. It's too incoherent and unbalanced to really say.
The movie is obviously low-budget but they used some creative solutions to hide this, in the movie.
The main character is really fascinating. He is being played by Dirk Bogarde, who of course is always a pleasure to see as the main lead, regardless of the role he plays. The rest of the characters are a bit muddled in and simply not interesting enough. The movie also changes often of setting with as a result that new characters get introduced and old ones abandoned.
All in all its not a terribly memorable movie and certainly no classic. The movie is too incoherent for that and the most of the character too uninteresting. Nevertheless this is a great movie to kill some time with. Nothing heavy, just some good old fashioned light-entertainment, with some good moments. Worth seeing if you get the chance.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
The movie is not an heavy confronting WW II POW movie. Instead its more of a comedy at times with almost slapstick like events and characters. It does make the movie a bit unbalanced and silly to watch but for me it also made the movie very light and easy. I'm not really sure though what for a movie this was supposed to be; A comedy or a drama. It's too incoherent and unbalanced to really say.
The movie is obviously low-budget but they used some creative solutions to hide this, in the movie.
The main character is really fascinating. He is being played by Dirk Bogarde, who of course is always a pleasure to see as the main lead, regardless of the role he plays. The rest of the characters are a bit muddled in and simply not interesting enough. The movie also changes often of setting with as a result that new characters get introduced and old ones abandoned.
All in all its not a terribly memorable movie and certainly no classic. The movie is too incoherent for that and the most of the character too uninteresting. Nevertheless this is a great movie to kill some time with. Nothing heavy, just some good old fashioned light-entertainment, with some good moments. Worth seeing if you get the chance.
7/10
http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/
Poor Man's Great Escape
Steve M4 June 2000
Based on a true life autobiography of a British serviceman. This film relates the tale of his relentless campaign to cause as much bother as possible while residing in a WWII POW camp.
A Good story but lacks the script, budget and catchy theme tune of the still marvellous "Great Escape".
A Good story but lacks the script, budget and catchy theme tune of the still marvellous "Great Escape".
A different angle to The Great Escape story
silverman14216 June 2000
Made one year earlier than The Great Escape, The Password is Courage uses the same story but viewed from a different perspective. The Great Escape revolved around a mass break out and all the different characters who helped in their own ways. The Password is Courage looks at it from one man's point of view, Sergeant Major Charles Coward, played perfectly by Dirk Bogarde. It is a much more light hearted view of his imprisonment in a POW camp and his efforts to escape and cause the Nazis as much trouble as possible (including the hilarious burning down of an entire lumber yard). It may not have the range of actors and characters of The Great Escape but for anyone who enjoyed that movie, should definitely see this as well. Even those people who find war movies boring should just give this film a try. 9/10
British POW drama with a lighter touch than normal
Leofwine_draca13 March 2017
Warning: Spoilers
THE PASSWORD IS COURAGE is a likable British WW2 movie featuring Dirk Bogarde who gives a winning performance as the indomitable Charles Coward, a man who refused to stay captured by the Nazis after being chucked in a string of POW camps. Like all the best war stories, it's best on a true story too, giving it an added frisson of interest.
This film has a noticeably lighter touch than most POW movies and there's plenty of humour arising from the camaraderie between the prisoners. The stand-out set-piece is when a lumber yard is burned to the ground, a sequence that plays out with much hilarity. Bogarde plays his character as an ordinary fellow who just so happens to have such a strong spirit that it refuses to be broken. The escape attempts are well portrayed, especially at the climax which feels like a neat forerunner to THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Supporting actors include Richard Marner, of 'ALLO 'ALLO fame; Lewis Fiander, later of DR JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE; Maria Perschy, who is well known for appearing in Spanish horror of the 1970s; and British character actors Alfred Lynch, Reginald Beckwith, Ferdy Mayne, and Nigel Stock.
This film has a noticeably lighter touch than most POW movies and there's plenty of humour arising from the camaraderie between the prisoners. The stand-out set-piece is when a lumber yard is burned to the ground, a sequence that plays out with much hilarity. Bogarde plays his character as an ordinary fellow who just so happens to have such a strong spirit that it refuses to be broken. The escape attempts are well portrayed, especially at the climax which feels like a neat forerunner to THE GREAT ESCAPE.
Supporting actors include Richard Marner, of 'ALLO 'ALLO fame; Lewis Fiander, later of DR JEKYLL AND SISTER HYDE; Maria Perschy, who is well known for appearing in Spanish horror of the 1970s; and British character actors Alfred Lynch, Reginald Beckwith, Ferdy Mayne, and Nigel Stock.
Another excellent British war movie.
The_Ringo_Kid7 February 2007
The Password is Courage is another one of those "prisoner of war escape movies" but is not ""Just"" a typical pow escape movie. This movie in particular is one of my all-time favorite movies of this type. Dirk Bogarde portrays a real-life personality in the name of Sergeant Major Coward. I think that Bogardes acting in this film was most excellent and is one reason why this film must be remembered and brought back into mainstream movie watching.
This film though is a serious film, also has many comical moments in it as well. One moment I really liked was when the Allied POWs managed to sabotage two German trains by switching their delivery signs around as well as sabotaging parts on the trains to make sure the trains wrecked. Another comical moment is when their camp was almost burnt down to the ground when they made sure a careless German Unteroffizier, who had a routine when he smoked his pipe, that the allied prisoners quickly caught onto and set up an elaborate plan. The plan was that they switched the sand in the Fire-buckets with Petrol--un-beknownst by the German guards.
On a particular windy day, the German NCO was careless a usual, by throwing his match into a pile of wood--which immediately started a fire. The POWs then threw the contents of the buckets onto the fire--making it rapidly spread. In short, they almost completed in burning down that camp.
This movie was so well made that it really needs to be released in DVD so that we all can enjoy watching it over and over again.
This film though is a serious film, also has many comical moments in it as well. One moment I really liked was when the Allied POWs managed to sabotage two German trains by switching their delivery signs around as well as sabotaging parts on the trains to make sure the trains wrecked. Another comical moment is when their camp was almost burnt down to the ground when they made sure a careless German Unteroffizier, who had a routine when he smoked his pipe, that the allied prisoners quickly caught onto and set up an elaborate plan. The plan was that they switched the sand in the Fire-buckets with Petrol--un-beknownst by the German guards.
On a particular windy day, the German NCO was careless a usual, by throwing his match into a pile of wood--which immediately started a fire. The POWs then threw the contents of the buckets onto the fire--making it rapidly spread. In short, they almost completed in burning down that camp.
This movie was so well made that it really needs to be released in DVD so that we all can enjoy watching it over and over again.
Great movie and the first one before (The great escape)
moatazmohsen788 January 2009
A great message for humans to refuse any hard destiny and not surrender to a bad true and awful reality especially at war time under arrested and captured in Nazi campaign during WWII in the English army and the great Push from English Sergent to courage his soldiers to refuse practically the fact of captured under Nazisim to put an end for this war to continue their life and return to their families and lovers by turning exp losers , arms and militarily plans into love , flowers , great feelings and warm words under the sky , in front of shores and beyond the trees to make our world a brilliant paradise on this earth.
The scene of escaping from Germany by a German girl and he fell with her in love give a serious point and side for film to create the drama of this story to reach for the happy end by escaping of two characters between many captured soldiers failed to reach for the same and happy fate.
The scene of escaping from Germany by a German girl and he fell with her in love give a serious point and side for film to create the drama of this story to reach for the happy end by escaping of two characters between many captured soldiers failed to reach for the same and happy fate.
The Making of the Film
james-145526 December 2005
The Password is Courage was made for International Refugee Year in 1959 and I seem to remember that was why Dirk Bogarde did the film. At the time I was living in East Anglia (as I do now) and reports of the filming were shown on the local news. There was also an interview with Charlie Coward, who was then a bookmaker.
I think that a lot of the shaky locations were due to the limited budget, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film at the time. I also saw it at Liverpool University in the 60's, where it was put in its historical context and it stood up well.
Lose the reasons for making it and the truth behind it and I suspect it could become a very poor film.
I think that a lot of the shaky locations were due to the limited budget, but I thoroughly enjoyed the film at the time. I also saw it at Liverpool University in the 60's, where it was put in its historical context and it stood up well.
Lose the reasons for making it and the truth behind it and I suspect it could become a very poor film.
It is a load of tosh and history proves it
dpatricksawyer13 December 2012
I thought it was a very entertaining film, as good as the Great Escape. But the facts prove that most of these events did not happen. Mr Coward, IMO, fabricated a lot of it to build his own story and ego. Check it out if you do not believe me. Despite a grandson of his claiming that Coward's story is totally true, the facts do not substantiate this.
I would like to believe that Mr Coward was indeed a brave man, but honorable? And just because he acted as a technical adviser on the film proves nothing. Just a man who is repeating his exaggerations to the film's producers. Who is to call him a liar? There is no substantive evidence of what he claims is true. I have researched it throughly.
IMO, Coward (what an irony) cobbled together a number of stories of other exploits to form his own little story. And he was not the only one to do such. But how disingenuous, when knowing that there would not be people to collaborate his story.
The film was good entertainment though. But fantasy for a large part. There are so many holes in the story that it is a wonder that Alice did not fall through some of those holes.
I would like to believe that Mr Coward was indeed a brave man, but honorable? And just because he acted as a technical adviser on the film proves nothing. Just a man who is repeating his exaggerations to the film's producers. Who is to call him a liar? There is no substantive evidence of what he claims is true. I have researched it throughly.
IMO, Coward (what an irony) cobbled together a number of stories of other exploits to form his own little story. And he was not the only one to do such. But how disingenuous, when knowing that there would not be people to collaborate his story.
The film was good entertainment though. But fantasy for a large part. There are so many holes in the story that it is a wonder that Alice did not fall through some of those holes.
Exploits of British POW prove entertaining but decidedly a "low stakes" affair
Turfseer31 October 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The film is based on a book of the same name published in 1954 chronicling the adventures and misadventures of British soldier Sergeant-Major Charles Coward who was a German prisoner-of-war beginning in 1940 when he was captured in the French northern port city of Calais.
Coward was a technical advisor on the film and has been credited with saving numerous Jews from extermination at Auschwitz. Controversy surrounds Coward's account with some of his stories credited to others as well as the number of Jews he saved being in dispute.
The Password is Courage stars Dirk Bogarde as Coward. Apparently, the scenes involving Auschwitz were cut from the final edit and it was decided that the narrative would take on a much lighter-hearted tone. Hence some have described the film as a comedy-drama.
Before arriving at POW camp Stalag VIII-B, the ineptness of the German soldiers is on display when Coward ends up in a German field hospital and a high-ranking officer pins the Iron Cross on his chest while Coward pretends to be injured.
Unlike the real Coward who spoke German, the fictional Coward doesn't speak German at all and his subterfuge at the field hospital is quickly uncovered.
On the way to the POW camp, Coward begins his campaign to debilitate the Germans whenever he can by setting stacks of hay on fire and throwing them on to a passing (and open) ammunition train resulting in massive explosions.
Like films such as Stalag 17 and The Great Escape, a good part of the narrative revolves around the construction of a tunnel in which scores of prisoners eventually escape. Bogarde as Coward was paired with fellow soldier Bill Pope (Alfred Lynch) and they end up eventually making their way through enemy lines to freedom at the end of the war.
The plot takes an interesting turn when Coward cons his German captors into giving him special favors after convincing them that he has knowledge of a secret allied bomb sight back in England. When the ruse is uncovered, Coward is transferred to a work camp in occupied Poland where the Germans have set it up for the soldiers there to believe Coward is a traitor.
Coward is almost killed by a fellow soldier but manages to best him in a hand-to-hand fight. Fortunately, he's able to convince the soldiers of the setup and then tricks the camp commander into believing he was responsible for starting a fire that he and his fellow soldiers engineered.
Coward earns the special privilege of going into town alone where he meets (the fictional) Polish resistance agent Irena (Maria Perschy) who later attempts to aid him at a train station after his escape through the tunnel.
Virtually all the men who escaped are eventually captured but there do not seem to be many deleterious consequences because of their decision. One can conclude that the narrative is riddled with low-stakes events.
Bogarde is particularly good in the role as the wily Sergeant-Major. "Password" isn't completely a light-hearted affair. The scenes involving the tunneling are suspenseful as there are threats of a cave-in as well as discovery by the Germans.
I found the film to be entertaining and wasn't so much upset by the "comic relief." Nonetheless Stalag 17 and The Great Escape have decidedly better plots.
"Password" is worth a look as at least some of the decorated Sergeant-Major's exploits happen to be true.
Coward was a technical advisor on the film and has been credited with saving numerous Jews from extermination at Auschwitz. Controversy surrounds Coward's account with some of his stories credited to others as well as the number of Jews he saved being in dispute.
The Password is Courage stars Dirk Bogarde as Coward. Apparently, the scenes involving Auschwitz were cut from the final edit and it was decided that the narrative would take on a much lighter-hearted tone. Hence some have described the film as a comedy-drama.
Before arriving at POW camp Stalag VIII-B, the ineptness of the German soldiers is on display when Coward ends up in a German field hospital and a high-ranking officer pins the Iron Cross on his chest while Coward pretends to be injured.
Unlike the real Coward who spoke German, the fictional Coward doesn't speak German at all and his subterfuge at the field hospital is quickly uncovered.
On the way to the POW camp, Coward begins his campaign to debilitate the Germans whenever he can by setting stacks of hay on fire and throwing them on to a passing (and open) ammunition train resulting in massive explosions.
Like films such as Stalag 17 and The Great Escape, a good part of the narrative revolves around the construction of a tunnel in which scores of prisoners eventually escape. Bogarde as Coward was paired with fellow soldier Bill Pope (Alfred Lynch) and they end up eventually making their way through enemy lines to freedom at the end of the war.
The plot takes an interesting turn when Coward cons his German captors into giving him special favors after convincing them that he has knowledge of a secret allied bomb sight back in England. When the ruse is uncovered, Coward is transferred to a work camp in occupied Poland where the Germans have set it up for the soldiers there to believe Coward is a traitor.
Coward is almost killed by a fellow soldier but manages to best him in a hand-to-hand fight. Fortunately, he's able to convince the soldiers of the setup and then tricks the camp commander into believing he was responsible for starting a fire that he and his fellow soldiers engineered.
Coward earns the special privilege of going into town alone where he meets (the fictional) Polish resistance agent Irena (Maria Perschy) who later attempts to aid him at a train station after his escape through the tunnel.
Virtually all the men who escaped are eventually captured but there do not seem to be many deleterious consequences because of their decision. One can conclude that the narrative is riddled with low-stakes events.
Bogarde is particularly good in the role as the wily Sergeant-Major. "Password" isn't completely a light-hearted affair. The scenes involving the tunneling are suspenseful as there are threats of a cave-in as well as discovery by the Germans.
I found the film to be entertaining and wasn't so much upset by the "comic relief." Nonetheless Stalag 17 and The Great Escape have decidedly better plots.
"Password" is worth a look as at least some of the decorated Sergeant-Major's exploits happen to be true.
Extremely enjoyable POW movie
MOscarbradley5 September 2017
Extremely enjoyable POW yarn based on the real-life exploits of one, Charley Coward, (Dirk Bogarde), who made it his mission as a prisoner during the Second World War to make life hell for the Germans before finally escaping. Andrew L Stone wrote and directed the picture in an unusually jocular fashion and a host of British character actors make for a rumbustious bunch or prisoners as well as the odd German, including the always reliable Reginald Beckwith as a very camp commandant. It's no great shakes as a movie but it's certainly entertaining with Stone throwing a lot of broad comedy into the mix without sacrificing any of the basic excitement.
POW picture with all the familiar ingredients
JohnHowardReid20 July 2009
Although this prisoner-of-war picture packs all the familiar ingredients into its plot, somehow it fails to come across even a fraction as effectively as thirty or forty similar movies I could name. Of course, the cast presents a considerable stumbling block. Dirk Bogarde is the only actor who seems to be pulling his weight. Everyone else turns in such lightweight portrayals, you'd think they were vacationing in a holiday camp. Even the Germans are an unconvincing lot. On the plus side, the movie does present some spectacular moments for railroad buffs, and the photography is suitably bleak. All told, I suppose the movie would offer reasonable entertainment for those who haven't seen "The Wooden Horse", "The Colditz Story", "The Great Escape", etc. But for those who are well acquainted with these far more powerful accounts, "Password" is a limp offering indeed.
Nice but not the complete story.
planktonrules20 June 2017
This film is a biography about Sergeant Major Charles Coward (played by Dirk Bogarde), a most unusual prisoner of war during WWII. I say most unusual because he was constantly escaping or causing mayhem. But be forewarned...the film is not exactly his wartime experiences. Instead of showing the full range of his life, it tends to pick out events that were humorous and make the film like a less funny and more intelligent version of "Hogan's Heroes". The darker aspects of his life, such as his exposure and work with the Jews at Auschwitz were omitted from the picture in order to present the German soldiers as buffoons narrative...a very incomplete picture to say the least. There is no evidence of the SS, massacres or death camps in this film.
Now this is NOT to say it's a bad film. Supposedly the events portrayed, with a few exceptions, did occur and Coward's life was amazing and made for an interesting film. Well worth seeing...but it could have been better.
Now this is NOT to say it's a bad film. Supposedly the events portrayed, with a few exceptions, did occur and Coward's life was amazing and made for an interesting film. Well worth seeing...but it could have been better.
Based on a true story
blanche-221 March 2021
Dirk Bogarde plays Charles Coward in "The Password is Courage," about Coward's experiences in World War II. And some of them were doozies.
Coward was a big risk-taker. At one point he escapes the Germans and hides in a barn, only to see the Germans entering with their wounded on stretchers. He wraps himself in a blanket and pretends to be one of them. He's moved to a hospital. One day, a commandant comes in and pins iron crosses on all of them. Later they move the blanket and the jig is up.
The film is meant to be lighthearted and entertaining - even though Coward wound up in Auschwitz for a time, it's really not extensively covered in the movie. Nor is the fact that he smuggled Jews out of Auschwitz and today is on the list of Righteous Among Nations.
Over the years, some of Coward's stories have come into question, but enjoy it for what it is. The tunnel scenes are nervewracking and exciting, they are perhaps the best part of the film.
Coward was a big risk-taker. At one point he escapes the Germans and hides in a barn, only to see the Germans entering with their wounded on stretchers. He wraps himself in a blanket and pretends to be one of them. He's moved to a hospital. One day, a commandant comes in and pins iron crosses on all of them. Later they move the blanket and the jig is up.
The film is meant to be lighthearted and entertaining - even though Coward wound up in Auschwitz for a time, it's really not extensively covered in the movie. Nor is the fact that he smuggled Jews out of Auschwitz and today is on the list of Righteous Among Nations.
Over the years, some of Coward's stories have come into question, but enjoy it for what it is. The tunnel scenes are nervewracking and exciting, they are perhaps the best part of the film.
The Password Is Courage
JOHN-WIGNALL31 March 2008
First of all this film is based on Charlie Cowards Biography so a lot of it is quite correct,but like all films artistic licence has crept in for the sake of continuity,all in all the film is entertaining,now lets look at when it was made.The Early 60s, when a lot of memories from World War 2 were still fresh in peoples minds so a lot what was in Charlie Cowards book would have had the red pencil put through it as unsuitable.
Lastly not only was Charlie Coward a Technical Adviser on this film he also appeared in it as an ordinary British Soldier in the scene where they are having a party after he is released from solitary confinement
John Wignall
Lastly not only was Charlie Coward a Technical Adviser on this film he also appeared in it as an ordinary British Soldier in the scene where they are having a party after he is released from solitary confinement
John Wignall
too light until last act
SnoopyStyle17 October 2020
During WWII, British prisoner Sergeant Major Charles Coward (Dirk Bogarde) escapes and gets mistaken for a wounded German soldier. In the hospital, he is awarded the Iron Cross before the doctor discovers the truth. He continues his efforts on the train and in the POW camp.
This is a slightly humorous movie based on Sergeant-Major Charles Coward's memoirs. I do question the tone and some of the accuracy. If the tone is darker, I can accept some fictionalization. Instead, this man is causing all kinds of havoc and suffers little of consequences. The Germans are all bumbling idiots. This is told like a British fantasy and yet I cannot call the man out. He could be telling the truth with a certain spin. The problem is that the humor doesn't work as well if it seems out of place. They are literally doing a tug of war and doing the release the rope trick. There is a change in tone for the last act and that's the best part of the film. The actual escape is very compelling and it ends on a better note. Although I don't understand why they can't escape with the American soldiers.
This is a slightly humorous movie based on Sergeant-Major Charles Coward's memoirs. I do question the tone and some of the accuracy. If the tone is darker, I can accept some fictionalization. Instead, this man is causing all kinds of havoc and suffers little of consequences. The Germans are all bumbling idiots. This is told like a British fantasy and yet I cannot call the man out. He could be telling the truth with a certain spin. The problem is that the humor doesn't work as well if it seems out of place. They are literally doing a tug of war and doing the release the rope trick. There is a change in tone for the last act and that's the best part of the film. The actual escape is very compelling and it ends on a better note. Although I don't understand why they can't escape with the American soldiers.
What a great movie should be.
nfaller5 March 2003
This film was made without a Hollywood plot and mega stars. The story is one of personal courage and one man`s refusal to ignore war crimes. Charley Coward was a true hero he never gave up . This movie is one of breed of true stories without glamour
"I've got sixpence,jolly,jolly sixpence......"
ianlouisiana12 December 2012
Warning: Spoilers
A group of British P.O.W.s march through the woods on the German/Polish border singing gaily;as they sit down to rest,one of them,the badly - injured Sergeant Major Coward(Mr D.Bogarde),slips away from the guards and makes his escape through what is obviously the English countryside till he finds what is equally obviously an English farmhouse where he persuades the owner to let him rest in the barn.A convoy of injured Wermacht soldiers suddenly arrive and are dumped on the barn floor around him.He slips a blanket over himself and is taken with the other casualties to a hospital where he is given apparently at random an Iron Cross.Such fun. Sgt Major Coward continues to play jolly japes on the surprisingly tolerant Germans,and all this schoolboy stuff gets a bit tedious after an hour or so. The Brits burst into song at the least opportunity,and a lot of comic - book Nazis sneer rather rudely at their prisoners.And that's about it,really. So what makes this extremely average British war film worth 7 out of 10?Well,it's very subjective,of course,but Mr Bogarde,to me,was never better than when freed from his "upper - class Englishman"leash,and the necessity for incessant sighs of boredom/angst/feyness. Here as Charles Coward he is playing a Londoner(but not your archetypal jolly cockney)shrewd,calculating and irrepressible. He plays him brilliantly;not condescending,never allowing us to doubt for a moment(at least not while the film is playing)that this is a believable character who finds himself in some unbelievable situations. And dear old James Hayter is endearingly bad as a Camp Commandant who is clearly more the former than the latter. Along with "Very Important Person","The Password is courage" is right at the top of the light - hearted P.O.W. movie pantheon,and Mr Bogarde's admirers are strongly recommended to watch it.
The courage of a Coward
paul2001sw-118 July 2006
'The Password is Courage', a story of prisoners of war based on the biography of a certain Seargant Coward, is a strange film. On one hand, the low production values give it the feel of a wartime propaganda romp (even though it was in fact made in 1962); on the other hand, Dirk Bogardde's cheeky chappy persona and some comical portraits of the Germans seem rather to predict the coming of "'Allo 'Allo". In spite of the generally amateurish feel, the key scenes still convey some tension; but most later movies on this subject possess more bite and cynicism about the nature of humans under duress on both sides of the wire.
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