The Unwritten Code (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1944, The Unwritten Code is a drama, war and romance film directed by Herman Rotsten, running about 61 minutes. “UNMASKING THE PLOT OF THE YEAR!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. The Unwritten Code is an offbeat, better-than-average Columbia wartime "B" picture. Though Ann Savage and Tom Neal are top-billed, the central character is supporting-actor Roland Varno. He plays a Nazi spy who sneaks into the U.S., hoping to release hundreds of German prisoners. He fails, but not until plenty of bullets have been spent. The most interesting aspect of The Unwritten Code is the casting of Savage and Neal as the "good" characters: in 1945, these two cult favorites would play the decidedly unsavory protagonists of the film noir classic Detour.
Who’s in it. The Unwritten Code stars Ann Savage as Mary Lee Norris, Tom Neal as Sgt. Terry Hunter, Roland Varno as Cpl. Karl Richter and Howard Freeman as Mr. Norris, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Unwritten Code has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Unwritten Code page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Unwritten Code tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Unwritten Code (1944)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Unwritten Code change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Unwritten Code worth watching?
- The Unwritten Code holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama, war and romance. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Unwritten Code?
- The Unwritten Code stars Ann Savage, Tom Neal, Roland Varno, Howard Freeman and Mary Currier.
- When was The Unwritten Code released?
- The Unwritten Code was released in 1944, with a runtime of about 61 minutes.