First Comes Courage (1943) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Norwegian resistance operative uses deception, sacrifice, and dangerous improvisation to survive occupation and continue the struggle.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Espionage Beneath Romance

Nicole works inside occupied Stavik's Nazi command structure by pretending to love the district commandant. Her intelligence reaches Britain, but successful raids make the authorities suspicious.

Key Events

• Nicole Joins Resistance — Nicole operates as a resistance member in occupied Stavik. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik, occupied Norway
• Feigning Forbidden Romance — Nicole pretends romantic affection to obtain military intelligence. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik
• Intelligence Reaches Britain — Nicole passes information to British forces through a local intermediary. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik
• Nazi Suspicion Grows — Successful raids cause Nazi authorities to search for the intelligence source. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik
• Message on Eyeglass — A concealed message requests an assassin for the Nazi commandant. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: An optometrist's office

The Failed Infiltration

A British commando mission reaches Norway with Ole, but betrayal at a farmhouse leads to Ole's death and the surviving operative's capture. Nicole and Rose then risk discovery to arrange his escape.

Key Events

• Oil Dump Raid Planned — British commandos plan an attack on the oil dumps alongside an assassination operation. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik oil dumps
• Commandos Reach Coast — Ole and an Allied commando land on the coast by submarine and fishing boat. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Norwegian coast
• Farmhouse Betrayal — The commandos seek shelter at a farmhouse before their host betrays them to the Nazis. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: A farmhouse near Stavik
• Ole Is Killed — Ole is killed by Nazi forces after the betrayal. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: The farmhouse area
• Allied Operative Captured — The surviving Allied commando is injured and captured by the Nazis. Location: Stavik
• Hospital Escape — Nicole and Rose help the injured commando escape before interrogation. Characters: Nicole Larsen, Rose Lindstrom Location: Stavik hospital

Marriage as Cover

Nicole accepts a sudden marriage to gain protection and preserve her usefulness to the resistance. The wedding is scheduled to coincide with the planned raid, while the assassination is temporarily called off.

Key Events

• Basement Hideout — The escaped commando is concealed in Nicole's basement. Characters: Nicole Larsen, Rose Lindstrom Location: Nicole's basement
• Townwide Search Ordered — A Nazi search of the town threatens the hidden commando. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik
• Unexpected Marriage Proposal — Nicole accepts an unexpected plan to marry the Nazi commandant for protection. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Nicole's house
• Assassination Is Delayed — Nicole asks the Allied operative to cancel the assassination after accepting the marriage plan. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Nicole's house
• Wedding Ceremony — Nicole marries the Nazi commandant shortly before the planned raid. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik

The Final Escape

After the ceremony, Nicole's spying is exposed and the commandant attempts to kill her. The Allied operative shoots him, and Nicole escapes with the body toward the oil-dump raid.

Key Events

• Nicole Confesses Spying — After the ceremony, Nicole admits that she has been spying and reveals her hatred. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: A road outside Stavik
• Commandant Is Shot — The Allied operative shoots the commandant before he can kill Nicole. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Nicole's house
• Body Placed in Car — Nicole and the Allied operative place the body in the commandant's car and leave. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Nicole's house
• Pursuit Toward Oil Dumps — Nazi soldiers pursue the departing car toward the demolition site. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Road near the oil dumps
• Oil Dumps Explode — The car escapes seconds before the oil dumps explode, killing the pursuing soldiers. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik oil dumps
• Nicole Remains in Stavik — Nicole stays in Stavik as the commandant's widow to continue helping the resistance. Characters: Nicole Larsen Location: Stavik

Story Breakdown

• Resistance Under Occupation — Nicole establishes herself as a covert operative inside occupied Stavik.
  • Secret Intelligence — Nicole extracts military information through a false romantic relationship.
  • British Communications — The intelligence is passed to British forces through a concealed channel.
• Nazi Suspicion Rises — Successful Allied raids lead Nazi authorities to investigate the source of the leaks.
  • Leaks Detected — The repeated raids reveal that someone is supplying accurate information.
  • Assassin Requested — A message hidden on an eyeglass requests the commandant's death.
• Commando Mission — An Allied operation enters Norway to arrange an assassination and attack the oil dumps.
  • Coastal Landing — Ole and another commando arrive by submarine and fishing boat.
  • Farmhouse Betrayal — Their shelter is compromised, leading to Ole's death and the other commando's capture.
• Escape And Concealment — Nicole and Rose take immediate risks to preserve the surviving commando's mission.
  • Hospital Breakout — Rose helps the injured prisoner escape before interrogation.
  • Basement Hideout — The fugitive is concealed in Nicole's basement during a town search.
• Marriage As Cover — Nicole accepts marriage as a political shield and a way to remain useful to the resistance.
  • Unexpected Proposal — The commandant announces an imminent marriage that Nicole quickly accepts.
  • Mission Delayed — Nicole asks for the assassination to be called off.
• Final Road Escape — The marriage collapses into open danger before the resistance raid reaches its explosive conclusion.
  • Spying Revealed — Nicole confesses her espionage and expresses her hatred during the confrontation.
  • Oil Dumps Destroyed — The pursuing Nazi soldiers die in the explosion while Nicole escapes.

Directed by

Dorothy Arzner

Key Cast

• Merle Oberon — Nicole Larsen
• Brian Aherne — Capt. Allan Lowell
• Carl Esmond — Maj. Paul Dichter
• Isobel Elsom — Rose Lindstrom
• Fritz Leiber — Dr. Aanrud