The Colditz Story (1954)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Staring John Mills, Eric Portman, Christopher Rhodes, Lionel Jeffries, Bryan Forbes.
Format Black & White, PAL
Language English
Region Region 2
Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Number of discs 1
Classification Universal
Studio Warner ... Read review
During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who ... more
had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Re...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
An outstanding and factual World War II drama about Allied POW's held in Germany's most ... more
secure wartime prison, The Colditz Story is based on the bestselling memoirs of Colditz Castle escapee Major Pat Reid.Colditz Castle, in the heart of Saxony, was th...
During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who ... more
had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Re...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
One German maximum security prison was more famous than any other during World War II - ... more
Colditz castle. Although Colditz was considered 'escape proof' its boundaries were challenged many times by Allied prisoners of war with fatal results. On 15 Octob...
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During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who ... more
had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Re...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The Dam Busters - Exciting and riveting WW2 classic following Dr.Barnes Wallis and his ... more
revolutionary idea - the creation of a bouncing bomb, designed to destroy the Ruhr dams and paralyse the enemy's industrial nerve centre.The Cruel Sea - Jack Hawkins, Donald Sinden, Denholm Elliott and Virginia McKenna star in this powerful and moving account of life on board a British warship during World War II. A genuine classic!The Colditz Story - One German maximum security prison was more infamous than any other during World War II - Colditz Castle in Saxony. Considered 'escape proof', on 15 October 1942, a group of British serviceman set out to prove otherwise.
During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who ... more
had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Reid,The Colditz Story(1957) documents the further, sometimes successful, escape attempts of these extraordinarily brave, resourceful and indomitable men. Starring John Mills, Eric Portman, Bryan Forbes and Anton Diffring, and co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton, who later madeThe Battle of Britain(1969), this is a sober, even-handed account, that is gripping and informative, yet not without humour. Sterling performances from the cast of stalwart actors adds up to a British cinema classic. Such is the fascination of Colditz that in 1972-3 the BBC made a very successful drama series staring Jack Hedley, Bernard Hempton, Robert Wagner and David McCallum, while in 2000 Channel 4 offered a superb three-part documentary,Escape from Colditz. In contrast to the semi-documentary feel ofThe Colditz StoryDavid Lean's classicThe Bridge on the River Kwai, from the same year, is an epic and powerful account of POW life in barbaric Japanese prison camps.--Gary S. Dalkin
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Production Year: 1960 - War - Director: Lewis Gilbert - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Laurence Naismith, Carl Mohner, Dana Wynter, Kenneth More, Karel Stepanek
Advantages: Brilliant and Realistic tale of allied POWs courage and ingenuity inside Colditz Caslte. Disadvantages: No special features - Bit of a shame - But it is an old film.
The Colditz Story (1954)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Staring John Mills, Eric Portman, Christopher Rhodes, Lionel Jeffries, Bryan Forbes.
Format Black & White, PAL
Language English
Region Region 2
Aspect Ratio 1.33:1
Number of discs 1
Classification Universal
Studio Warner Home Video
DVD Release Date 18 April 2005
Run Time 93 minutes ... ...soldiers, mainly airman, fell into the hands of their enemies. This happened all over Europe in all the different theatres. Depending on where you were captured you would be put into the nearest POW camp.
However Colditz Castle was a POW camp with a difference. This was reserved especially for those who had attempted previous escape attempts from other camps in and around Germany. And had therefore proved themselves a menace to the German ... more
The Colditz Story (1954)
Directed by Guy Hamilton
Staring John Mills, Eric Portman, Christopher Rhodes, Lionel Jeffries, Bryan Forbes. Format Black & White, PAL Language English Region Region 2 Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Number of discs 1 Classification Universal Studio Warner Home Video DVD Release Date 18 April 2005 Run Time 93 minutes DVD Features Original theatrical trailer
During WW2 many allied soldiers, mainly airman, fell into the hands of their enemies. This happened all over Europe in all the different theatres. Depending on where you were captured you would be put into the nearest POW camp. However Colditz Castle was a POW camp with a difference. This was reserved especially for those who had attempted previous escape attempts from other camps in and around Germany. And had therefore proved themselves a menace to the German war effort. Colditz Castle was thought to be, by the Germans and some of its prisoners, impossible to escape from, after all it was an old medieval castle. However there were those inside who had already proved themselves to be ingenious and to have a thirst for freedom. Some of these individuals became quite famous for their ingenuity and escape attempts. Not only among their own peers, but also among the Germans alike. Famous inmates that are well known today include Douglas Bader, who famously flew with the RAF despite having lost both his legs in a plane crash earlier in his career, and had many enemy kills credited to his name. Also Pat Reid, who famously escaped dressed as a German Officer, and went onto write 'The Colditz Story', his account of his time 'behind the wire' (also the basis for this film). He also went onto create 'Escape from Colditz'. One of the best WW2 related board games ever created. Definitely worth a look at if you haven't already played it. The film itself is, as I've said Pat Reid's story inside Colditz. However it does entail many a sub story, as too what life was like inside the camp, and does portray many escape attempts and other characters involvement in the camp. The film explores the difficulties that the POWs had to overcome in order to try and escape. They soon learn that the mixed nations within the camp (Dutch, British, Polish, Americans, French) have to work together in order to succeed in escaping. We also see a harrowing side to how being 'behind the wire' can affect the men who have had their freedom taken away. This often results in a suicidal desperation towards escaping that does in some instances end in tragedy. When watching this film you have to bear in mind that this is, primarily, one mans story, and therefore expect the story line to be based around his experiences and perceptions of what went on in Colditz Castle. Don't expect a documentary giving everyone's point of view because you won't get it, as this is not the aim of the film. The film has some great acting performance most memorably by John Mills, and overall this is not a low budget film. There has been no expense spared the production and there are some spectacular views of the Castle. The DVD has no real special features, which is a shame. But as the film was made in 1954 we can excuse them for this. There is however the original theatrical trailer, which is interesting and definitely worth a watch.
Overall this is a great story and film. Excellent if you're interested in the Second World War, and the tales of POWs. Even if your not it is very entertaining and for the most part factually accurate. Well worth a watch.
Advantages: Family film with limited violence Disadvantages: None
One of the all time great British war films. Sir John Mills plays Pat Reid and the film is based on Pat Reid's real wartime experiences as noted in a couple of published books from the 1940's/50's. As such the events from the arrival of British POWs at the Colditz prison camp, Mill's character was one of the first of the British to be incarcerated in Colditz Castle. Colditz is the unescapable prison camp for all POWs who have escaped from other Stalags.
... ...the allied nations, how the Poles and French help the British in the early day, and how the friendships develop. As such the film focuses on all nationalities escape attempts be they succesful or unsuccessful, with perhaps the most unusual escape coming from a game of leap frog. The film also unusally manages to show that all German guards and officers were not Nazi tyrants.
The Colditz Story is a feel good film intermixed with some sadness but ...
mrtimharry 17.10.2007 (18.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Colditz Story (DVD)
True account of British P.O.Ws who plan their escape from Germany's ultimate fortress.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
OPTIMUM HOME ENTERTAINMENT; ELEVATION SALES; TECHNICOLOR DISTRIBUTION SERVICES, WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS
Release date
29/01/2007, 18/04/2005
No of Discs
1
Catalogue No
OPTD 0665, D 038083
Barcode
5060034577188, 7321900380836
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Scene selection, Original Theatrical Trailer
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital, Mono
Dubbing Sound
Mono English
DVD Description
A true account of the experiences of the World War II prisoners of war who had the misfortune to be imprisoned in Germany's ultimate fortress - Colditz Castle. A daring escape saga.
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