Expert: Mel - 11/12/2008

Question
Hi Mel.  I am trying to find a movie that I saw on tv back in the 70's.  I believe it was in b&w and from the 50's or 60's.  Possibly it was British as I seem to remember the actors talking with an English accent.  I could be wrong.   
It was about several people who were trapped in a cave or mountain by an explosion during a war (WWII?).  There were rations and water in the cave and they survived for a very long time.  At the end, one of the men found his way out through a shaft to the top of the mountain and was shot.  I don't remember any of the actors but I do remember a quote that for one reason or another stuck in my head.  "Hey everybody, the General's got a bible.  Let's say he reads us a chapter every night."  This was one of their ways to pass the time as they waited to be rescued.  I would appreciate any help in finding this movie.  

Thank you,

Bill

Answer
Hello Bill,

That was a "B" movie from 1964 called "The Cavern" (Italian title: "Sette Contro La Morte"). It was an Italian/German/USA co-production and starred John Saxon, Rosanna Schiaffino, Larry Hagman and Brian Aherne.

The cavern was known to the authorities and it was stocked with provisions. The people trapped included a German officer, an American GI, an Italian woman and several others. The German becomes part of their group and finds a way out but is shot by American soldiers as he gets out of the cave. He falls back into the cave and dies without being able to reveal the exit.

Here are a couple of links.........

http://www.fandango.com/thecavern_v86875/summary

http://www.rezarected.com/movies/drama/the-cavern/prod_609.html


Glad to be of help. Cheers........Mel.