The Great Escape (Special Edition) > Reviews > A film for life, not just watching at Christmas!

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Everything, seeing Steve McQueen lots is a bonus =]
Disadvantages:	none !

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

After seeing parts 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 Bronson
Richard Attenborough
James Donald
Donald Pleasance
James Coburn

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 paced. There are a few moments that have you on the edge of your seat, and even after watching it dozens of times I still find as exciting as the first time I watched it! This is also the part of the film that features the famous escape scene by Steve McQueen. I always find myself hoping that he will make it over the fence and off to freedom.

Although the film is great entertainment, it also makes you think about how things were for those who got sent to POW camps during the war.

My DVD contains some special features, 'US Theatrical Trailer' and an in-depth documentary on the making of the film. These are both fairly entertaining, but not excellent.

Overall, I think that this is an excellent DVD, and I would recommend it to anyone! I've got a feeling it will be popular for years to come! The Great Escape is for life, not just for being shown at Christmas!