Arguably the best World War II adventure film ever made, John Sturges's dramatisation of the true story of a group of British, American, and Canadian POWs who executed a massive... more
This review already contains more than 120 words. As a Ciao member you could earn up to £5 with this review.
entered silver-screen iconography, alongside Brando on his bike from The Wild One. Based on a true story about a group of POWs who mount a daring breakout from a ...
entered silver-screen iconography, alongside Brando on his bike from The Wild One. Based on a true story about a group of POWs who mount a daring breakout from a ...
GREAT ESCAPE
Arguably the best World War II adventure film ever made, John Sturges's dramatisation of
... more
the true story of a group of British, American, and Canadian POWs who executed a massive escape from Stalag Luft III in Upper Silesia in March 1944, stars Steve McQueen as the rebellious Virgil Hilts. The German high command has filtered out all the most talented escape artists of the Allies' and placed them in a POW camp specifically designed to foil any unwanted departures. Of course, as soon as they arrive, the prisoners begin work on a series of tunnels under the direction of Roger Big X Bartlett (Richard Attenborough). He assigns the POWs to jobs according to their specialties: Bob Scrounger Hendley (James Garner) steals necessary items, Eric Dispersal Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum) hides the soil being dug from the tunnels, and Danny the Tunnel King Willinski (Charles Bronson) and Colin the Forger Blythe (Donald Pleasence) have self-explanatory handles. For more than a year, 600 prisoners, most of whom won't be leaving, work toward an escape that will temporarily disrupt the operations of the German army. The host of big-name stars meshes beautifully in this meticulous re-creation of the legendary escape. Although this is a film about courage, Sturges wisely takes a low-key approach, leavened with humour, rather than allowing the cast to indulge in macho antics. However, McQueen's memorable motorcycle stunts could be said to fit in that category. THE GREAT ESCAPE, based on the book by Paul Brickhill, is quite simply one of the grandest war films ever made, featuring many key scenes (McQueen's motorcycle chase, McQueen tossing the baseball against the cell wall, Bronson sliding on his chest in the tunnel) that are unforgettable.n
GREAT ESCAPE
Arguably the best World War II adventure film ever made, John Sturges's dramatisation of
... more
the true story of a group of British, American, and Canadian POWs who executed a massive escape from Stalag Luft III in Upper Silesia in March 1944, stars Steve McQueen as the rebellious Virgil Hilts. The German high command has filtered out all the most talented escape artists of the Allies' and placed them in a POW camp specifically designed to foil any unwanted departures. Of course, as soon as they arrive, the prisoners begin work on a series of tunnels under the direction of Roger Big X Bartlett (Richard Attenborough). He assigns the POWs to jobs according to their specialties: Bob Scrounger Hendley (James Garner) steals necessary items, Eric Dispersal Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum) hides the soil being dug from the tunnels, and Danny the Tunnel King Willinski (Charles Bronson) and Colin the Forger Blythe (Donald Pleasence) have self-explanatory handles. For more than a year, 600 prisoners, most of whom won't be leaving, work toward an escape that will temporarily disrupt the operations of the German army. The host of big-name stars meshes beautifully in this meticulous re-creation of the legendary escape. Although this is a film about courage, Sturges wisely takes a low-key approach, leavened with humour, rather than allowing the cast to indulge in macho antics. However, McQueen's memorable motorcycle stunts could be said to fit in that category. THE GREAT ESCAPE, based on the book by Paul Brickhill, is quite simply one of the grandest war films ever made, featuring many key scenes (McQueen's motorcycle chase, McQueen tossing the baseball against the cell wall, Bronson sliding on his chest in the tunnel) that are unforgettable.n
GREAT ESCAPE^ THE
Blur: Damon Albarn (vocals, piano, organ, synthesizer, handclaps); Graham Coxon (acoustic
... more
& electric guitars, banjo, saxophone, handclaps, background vocals); Alex James (bass, handclaps, background vocals); Dave Rowntree (drums, handclaps, background vocals).Additional personnel: Cathy Gillat (vocals); The Right On Ken Livingstone (spoken vocals); Stephen Street (handclaps); Angela Murrell, Teresa Jane Davis (background vocals).The Duke Strings Quartet: Louisa Fuller, Rick Koster (violin); John Metcalfe (viola); Ivan McCermoy (cello).The Kick Horns: Simon Clarke, Tim Sanders (saxophone); Roddy Lorimer (trumpet); Neil Sidwell (trombone).Recorded at Maison Rouge and Townhouse Studios, London, England between January and May 1995.Beyond British and sensationally sociological, Blur and singer/songwriter Damon Albarn weave tales of stifling middle class ennui into clever pop vignettes. THE GREAT ESCAPE is another demonstration of Blur's unique intelligence, more of Albarn's witty commentary, and substantial proof that the group may be bordering on genius.As usual, Albarn's senses are keen on THE GREAT ESCAPE. His ear for melody and sound textures shines throughout the album's fifteen brilliant tracks. The ska horns and spy soundtrack guitar riffing on Fade Away exemplify Blur's knack for pop music, yet elevate the song beyond simple genre-fication, with a dignity reserved for the orchestra pit. The snide humor behind Mr. Robinson And His Quango rubs shoulders with the desperation of He Thought Of Cars, all the while dwelling on what they hope to escape. It's this nagging dread that carries the album--the sense that the people Albarn describes are as desperate to find meaning as Albarn is to capture it within the song's narrative.THE GREAT ESCAPE may not turn into Blur's great American breakthrough album, but if you're not thrown by Albarn's overwhelmingly British aesthetic, it just might be enough to take you away from the confines of your day to day doldrums.[Reviews]Q (12/99, p.84) - Included in Q Magazine's 90 Best Albums Of The 1990s.Q (2/96, p.62) - Included in Q's 50 Best Albums of 1995.Melody Maker (12/23-30/95, pp.66-67) - Ranked #10 on Melody Maker's list of 1995's `Albums Of The Year.'NME (12/23-30/95, pp.22-23) - Ranked #9 in NME's `Top 50 Albums Of The Year' for 1995.Spin (11/95, pp.124-125) - 6 - Reasonably Good - ...Blur turns the rotating-robot staccato silverware clank of manlier Limeys like Elastica...into dance oriented pop muzik. When it's swirling fast and busy, it's wonderful...Q (10/95, p.110) - 5 Stars - Indispensable - ...THE GREAT ESCAPE's rich tapestry is matched by music of kaleidoscopic surprises--half punk and half pop-psychedelic in its influences, restlessly innovative in its execution...Melody Maker (9/9/95, p.33) - Bloody Essential - ...Blur's fourth album (theirs is now the most interesting career since Joy Division metamorphosed into New Order) is more robotic than rock, less Kinks than Kraftwerk....Blur understand the geometry of the song, and the basic principles of pop, better than anyone today....The experimental hits just keep on coming...NME (9/9/95, p.46) - 9 (out of 10) - ...If Noel Oasis' strength derives from an ambition to be the John Lennon of his generation, then Blur want to be Lennon AND McCartney. Which means THE GREAT ESCAPE is so rammed with tunes, ideas, emotions, humour, tragedy, farce, and edgy beauty that's it's utterly beyond contemporary compare...n
Advantages: Some interesting additional material Disadvantages: None Really
The Great Escape is a classic 1963 film directed by John Sturges, with an impressive cast list, including Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and stalwarts of the British Acting community such as Richard Attenborough and Gordon Jackson, along with Angus Lennie who went on from sharing the cooler with McQueen to become Shughie the chef in Crossroads for many years.
As I doubt many people are unaware of this film as it has ... ...not my intention to review the film in detail but rather to discuss the additional features available on this two disk special edition.
Disk One
This contains first and foremost the film itself where you can relive the exploits of the digging of Tom, Dick and Harry, the forging and scrounging, the camp break out, McQueen's bike chase sequence et al to your hearts content. This first disk also contains an Audio commentary with cast and crew. This ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Fantastic story, excellent performances, true to the real story Disadvantages: Very few Hollywood action sequences
Before i get in to the actual movie, i think it's important to point out that The Great Escape is very much based upon a true story.
In World War II, the Germans grew tired of repeated escape attempts by POWs across the nation. As a way of putting "all their dirty eggs in one basket", the worst offenders were sent to a newly constructed camp; the infamous Stalag Luft III. Of course, what the Germans didn't consider was that by grouping the men together, ... ...the land.
"For you, the war is over."
A line famous as traditional German speech having captured a POW. But for these men, the war was far from over.
Not to reveal details for those who've yet to see the movie, but this long picture (close to three hours) depicts the efforts of the captured POWs as they evaded the camp guards and took part in the most famous prison breakout of all time. The ways in which they succeeded are truly inventive and ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Everything, seeing Steve McQueen lots is a bonus =] Disadvantages: none!
...of this movie but never the whole film, I decided to buy it on DVD. I bought it as part of a 'Great Films Starring Steve McQueen' box set. What an investment!
Produced in 1963, this DVD is based on a true story of a group of Allied P.O.W's who planned an escape from an 'escape proof' camp. This was the largest planned Allied escape attempt from a German POW camp.
This film features some famous names such as:
Steve McQueen
James Garner
Charles ... ...The first half of the film focuses on various escape attempts made by the POWs, as well of the planning of the escape and digging the tunnels, Tom, Dick, and Harry. This half of the film is quite comedic, and the characters work well together.
The second half of the film follows the escape of the prisoners, and follows their various journeys as they try and get back to Britain safely. It is much more dramatic than the first half, and is quite fast ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
helpful
31.05.2007
(05.06.2007)
Awesome War Film Review ofThe Great Escape (Special Edition)by
Elliottalex
The Great Escape must be one of the best films I have ever seen. It is based on Prisoners of War (POWs) kept in German camps during WWI. It is based on a true story.
The film follows a large group of American and British troops who form a plan to escape from a prison camp. They succeed with some difficulties and the film goes on to follow them during their escape through Germany. The realism of this film is outstanding. All features of the film ... ...during WWI and the film shows us a great deal about what it would be like to be a POW or anyone in Germany.
Throughout the film, you will find yourself hanging on the edge of your seat - there are many exciting parts which hold the characters in life or death situations.
The cast and acting is amazing with Steve McQueen making an impressive performance.
The only 'downside' of this film is that there are not really many special effects. But considering ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Did you enjoy it?
Story
Characters / Performances
Special Effects
How does it compare to ...
helpful
06.02.2007
The Great Escape Review ofThe Great Escape (Special Edition)by
steve09_1964
...top 10 of war films. The fact that it shows what prisoners of war went through to escape from POW camps in Germany and even better is that its a true story.
With such a star studded cast and fantastic personal performances from Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Richard Attinborough and many, many more great actors of the silver screen both British and American.
Its a must buy for anybody and where as Saving Private Ryan was about just a squad of ... ...their endevour to escape back to allied lines and to fight again against the Nazi Regime.
The DVD gives hours of entertainment with extras such as personal interviews with some of the cast.
Based on a true story, The Great Escape is epic entertainment that entertains, captivates, thrills and stirs. ...
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Actor(s): Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Coburn, Donald Pleasence, James Donald, Gordon Jackson, John Leyton, David McCallum, Nigel Stock, David McCallum, Gordon Jackson, Angus Lennie, Jud Taylor
Director(s): John Sturges
Genre: War
Classification: Parental Guidance
Production Year: 1963
Running Time: 2 hours 52 minutes
Video Category: Feature Film
Plot: Action and tension are equally balanced in this story of one of the most remarkable incidents of World War Two, in which a group of Allied POW's in a German camp plan and execute a breakout.
Special Features: Audio Commentary By Cast And Crew, An American Icon Documentary, History Versus Hollywood Documentary, The Great Escape The Untold Story, Trivia Track, Theatrical Trailer, Photo Galleries
Arguably the best World War II adventure film ever made, John Sturges's dramatisation of the true story of a group of British, American, and Canadian POWs who executed a massive escape from Stalag Luft III in Upper Silesia in March 1944, stars Steve McQueen as the rebellious Virgil Hilts. The German high command has filtered out all the most talented escape artists of the Allies' and placed them in a POW camp specifically designed to foil any unwanted departures. Of course, as soon as they arrive, the prisoners begin work on a series of tunnels under the direction of Roger "Big X" Bartlett (Richard Attenborough). He assigns the POWs to jobs according to their specialties: Bob "Scrounger" Hendley (James Garner) steals necessary items, Eric "Dispersal" Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum) hides the soil being dug from the tunnels, and Danny "the Tunnel King" Willinski (Charles Bronson) and Colin "the Forger" Blythe (Donald Pleasence) have self-explanatory handles. For more than a year, 600 prisoners, most of whom won't be leaving, work toward an escape that will temporarily disrupt the operations of the German army. The host of big-name stars meshes beautifully in this meticulous re-creation of the legendary escape. Although this is a film about courage, Sturges wisely takes a low-key approach, leavened with humour, rather than allowing the cast to indulge in macho antics. However, McQueen's memorable motorcycle stunts could be said to fit in that category. THE GREAT ESCAPE, based on the book by Paul Brickhill, is quite simply one of the grandest war films ever made, featuring many key scenes (McQueen's motorcycle chase, McQueen tossing the baseball against the cell wall, Bronson sliding on his chest in the tunnel) that are unforgettable.
Professional reviews
Review: "...THE GREAT ESCAPE is the finest, all-out entertaining movie from that pot of World War Two, multi-star films..." -- 4 out of 5 stars (Total Film, p.108, 01/07/2000)
Ciao
Listed on Ciao since : 09/07/2005
Compare The Great Escape (Special Edition) to other similar War
Similar products and search queries by other users
The Edition, The Great Edition, The Escape Edition, The Special Edition, The Great Escape Edition, The Great Special Edition, The Escape Special Edition, The Great Escape Special Edition
Are you the manufacturer / provider of The Great Escape (Special Edition)? Click here
