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First Comes Courage

Play trailer Poster for First Comes Courage 1943 1h 28m War Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 62% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Beautiful Norwegian woman Nicole Larsen (Merle Oberon) is dedicated to the local resistance movement, and seduces Nazi officer Paul Dichter (Carl Esmond) in order to gain information that will help to defeat the Germans. Complicating matters for Nicole are both the difficulty of her loathsome undercover work and the appearance of an old flame, handsome English soldier Allan Lowell (Brian Aherne), who would like nothing more than to reunite with her.

Critics Reviews

View All (6) Critics Reviews
Wanda Hale New York Daily News While the ending of First Comes Courage is a little far-fetched... You won't mind because the events leading up to that are presented convincingly, thanks to Dorothy Arzner, who directed this film with a great deal of skill. Rated: 3/4 Dec 22, 2020 Full Review Mildred Martin Philadelphia Inquirer [The stars] play with a nice sincerity and Dorothy Arzner has given them and the slightly frayed material the benefit of her sound directional talent. Dec 22, 2020 Full Review Marjory Adams Boston Globe Aherne and Miss Oberon are convincing actors and make the old stuff look up-to-date and even worthwhile. The shoddiness is of story rather than acting or direction. Dec 22, 2020 Full Review David Parkinson Radio Times This wartime saga is best known for being the final film made by Dorothy Arzner, who was one of the few women directors working in the studio system. Rated: 3/5 Aug 22, 2024 Full Review Josephine O'Neill Daily Telegraph (Australia) Merle Oberon plays with the verve of a wooden doll, Brian Aherne's commando is a bore, and Carl Esmond's Nazi a stodge. The action is fumbled by bad direction. Apr 2, 2019 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com This WWII propganda film, starring Merle Oberon as a spy, is the last festure to be directed by Dorothy Arzner, the only female director during the studio system. Rated: B- Jan 7, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (4) audience reviews
Audience Member The greatest 01 hour: and 28 minutes ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member I love this movie and I have watched it frequently. I Carl Edmond should have gotten top building or at least part of the three top billings. He played a very complex character. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This WWII propganda film, starring Merle Oberon as a spy, is the last festure to be directed by Dorothy Arzner, the only female director during the studio system. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member The typical WWII propaganda stuff. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
First Comes Courage

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis Beautiful Norwegian woman Nicole Larsen (Merle Oberon) is dedicated to the local resistance movement, and seduces Nazi officer Paul Dichter (Carl Esmond) in order to gain information that will help to defeat the Germans. Complicating matters for Nicole are both the difficulty of her loathsome undercover work and the appearance of an old flame, handsome English soldier Allan Lowell (Brian Aherne), who would like nothing more than to reunite with her.
Director
Dorothy Arzner
Producer
Harry Joe Brown
Screenwriter
Melvin Levy, Lewis Meltzer
Production Co
Columbia Pictures
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 28m