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Passage to Marseille

Play trailer Poster for Passage to Marseille Released Feb 16, 1944 1h 50m War Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
60% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
During World War II, a French ship finds five men drifting in a small boat. Once aboard, the men tell the ship's captain, Patain Malo (Victor Francen), that they are convicts who escaped prison, led by Jean Matrac (Humphrey Bogart), to fight in the war. As the ship nears its destination in Marseille, France surrenders to Germany, but Malo decides to hide the prisoners. When traitorous Major Duval (Sydney Greenstreet) tries to overtake the ship, Matrac and the others work to defeat him.
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Passage to Marseille

Critics Reviews

View All (5) Critics Reviews
Yasser Medina Cinefilia I'm afraid that even the wide cast of actors commanded by Bogart is not enough to elevate a war adventure that sinks in predictable waters at the service of the most obvious patriotic propaganda. [Full review in Spanish] Rated: 6/10 Apr 22, 2023 Full Review Nathanael Hood The Retro Set ...a thoroughly mediocre military melodrama... Rated: 5/10 Dec 29, 2018 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Sort of a class reunion of Casablanca, but not as good, reuniting Bogart, director Curtiz and other key players of that cult picture. Rated: B- Apr 17, 2011 Full Review Michael W. Phillips, Jr. Goatdog's Movies A slightly above average war thriller. Rated: 3/5 Jun 9, 2006 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews Michael Curtiz's follow-up to Casablanca. Rated: B May 2, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Steve D Not worthy of its cast. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 06/27/23 Full Review Russ G A sort of sequel to Casablanca, but despite the presence of Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre, We know Casablanca. We Love Casablanca. THIS is no Casablanca! Implausible even for a propaganda film made at the height of the war. Now, many elements of Casablanca were implausible, but somehow it was pulled off, as the story centers on sympathetic characters not hokey [but standard for the era and the budget] special effects. Here it isn't. A four-engined DIVE BOMBER, anyone? BTW, anyone notice our protagonist committing a WAR CRIME by machine-gunning the downed German fliers? But, it's No Biggie 'cuz the movie makers were deliberately aiming to whip up hatred against the enemy. About the only real parallel between the two films is that in both roles Bogey's character is self-centered but transforms into a selfless hero dedicated to a greater cause. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 09/28/22 Full Review Jared D Great cast used to very mixed results here. Its famous (and confusing) flashback within a flashback within a flashback structure tends to slow it down -- but the various elements and/or sequences of the film are very well done. The cinematography is outstanding! Rated 3 out of 5 stars 10/25/21 Full Review Bob S Of course it's not Casablanca. Lightening rarely strikes twice. However, the movie is well written and well acted. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/18 Full Review Audience Member Compared to his audience-favorite biggest-movie-ever, "Casablanca" Curtiz directed this masterpiece with the ideal being to reassemble the cast of his hit. Not only did he do that sans Ingrid Bergman, he made another masterpiece in this original tale of Redemption. Original in the use of flashbacks within flashbacks film making in that one has to pay attention to see how and why the films current tense of the present arrived. Even though the entire plot takes place on a tramp steamer it neatly wraps all the nefarious villains, political agendas, and sufficient development for each character superbly. Sidney Greenstreet is at his fattest, meanest, and most despicable as is his sickening ass-kissing adjutant whose neck you'd love to wring. Lots of action, concern for the characters, and a heartfelt support for these underdogs all cooperating to protect their country despite what Matrac says about, understandably, not giving a damn. Claude Reins is again in his element - he was truly one of the world's greatest actors. Best thing to do is watch it and you will be glad you did. No one makes such quality, classy films like this anymore. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Passage to Marseille follows a group of convicts who escape from Devil's Island and embark upon a treacherous journey across the sea to enlist in the French Resistance. Many compare this film to Casablanca since it's a World War II drama that reunites director Michael Curtiz with composer Max Steiner and a cast that includes Humphrey Bogart, Claude Rains, Sydney Greenstreet, and Peter Lorre. Anyone who expects this movie to be as good as one of the most beloved Hollywood classics ever made is in for some disappointment, but Passage to Marseille does have its moments. It's a sentimental film that wears its propagandist heart on its sleeve, but the cast still makes you root for them in the climactic gunfight. This picture is hardly essential, but one could do a lot worse should they be looking for 1940's action movies. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Passage to Marseille

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis During World War II, a French ship finds five men drifting in a small boat. Once aboard, the men tell the ship's captain, Patain Malo (Victor Francen), that they are convicts who escaped prison, led by Jean Matrac (Humphrey Bogart), to fight in the war. As the ship nears its destination in Marseille, France surrenders to Germany, but Malo decides to hide the prisoners. When traitorous Major Duval (Sydney Greenstreet) tries to overtake the ship, Matrac and the others work to defeat him.
Director
Michael Curtiz
Producer
Hal B. Wallis
Screenwriter
Casey Robinson, Jack Moffitt
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Genre
War
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 16, 1944, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 21, 2016
Runtime
1h 50m
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