Is The Passage Worth Watching?
Answer: Yes, The Passage is definitely worth watching if you enjoy War movies.
It features a runtime of 99 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.
The Passage Review
Last updated: January 18, 2026
Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations
Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 1979, The Passage emerges as a significant entry in the War, Action, Thriller domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of During WW 2, a Basque shepherd is approached by the underground, who wants him to lead a scientist and his family across the Pyrenees. Unlike standard genre fare, The Passage attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any War is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Passage features a noteworthy lineup led by Anthony Quinn . Supported by the likes of James Mason and Malcolm McDowell , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Passage (1979) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.1/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
The Passage Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline
Quick Plot Summary: The Passage is a War, Action, Thriller film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
The Passage Ending Explained & Final Analysis
Ending Breakdown: The Passage concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to war resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the war themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Passage reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Passage Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Passage uses real-world events as narrative inspiration. As a war, action, thriller film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, with attention to period detail and historical context.
Accuracy Assessment: The Passage adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Passage?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy War films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want solid genre entertainment
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Full Cast & Crew of The Passage
- Anthony Quinn – The Basque
- James Mason – Professor Bergson
- Malcolm McDowell – Capt. Von Berkow
- Patricia Neal – Mrs. Bergson
- Kay Lenz – Leah Bergson
Top Highlights
Anthony QuinnThe Basque
James MasonProfessor Bergson
Malcolm McDowellCapt. Von Berkow
Patricia NealMrs. Bergson
Kay LenzLeah Bergson
Paul ClemensPaul Bergson
Christopher LeeGypsy
Michael LonsdaleRenoudot
Robert RhysGypsy Son
Marcel BozzuffiPerea
Where to Watch The Passage Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
fuboTV
MGM+ Amazon Channel
MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel
MGM Plus
PhiloParents Guide & Age Rating
The Passage is rated R. Parents should be aware that it contains violence, action sequences, mature themes. It is intended for mature audiences only.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.1/10, and global collection metrics, The Passage stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 1979 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Passage movie hit or flop?
The Passage has received mixed reviews with a 6.1/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is The Passage worth watching?
The Passage is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of War, Action, Thriller movies, but read reviews first.
Where can I watch The Passage online?
The Passage is currently available for streaming on fuboTV. You can also check for it on platforms like fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus, Philo depending on your region.
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How The Passage Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for The Passage
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 Spain by the wily shepherd Anthony Quinn. Their journey is fraught with danger as they must cross the inhospitable terrain of the Pyrenee mountains with snow up to their thighs - whilst McDowall ("Capt. Von Berkow") uses just about every brutal technique in the book to strike fear into everyone who has seen/helped them as he tries to apprehend the professor. The production standards are a bit on the low side (not that the cold and variable light quality could have been of much help); the dialogue is badly captured with a poor audio mix and although there are certainly some horrific scenes - the end of Christopher Lee's brief contribution comes to mind - it's is all just a bit on the procedural side. Quinn portrays the cantankerous, brave, Basque very much it style of many of his previous roles - he sort of grunts his way though the thing with little by way of engagement with us, the audience, and the ending goes from thrilling to silly in a matter of a few frames!. The photography is splendid, and the story has a taut pace to it - it just isn't very good.
movieMx Verified
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
