Undoubtedly one of the most entertaining war movies ever made, this is based on the true story of 76 Allied soldiers who managed to escape from a German P.O.W. camp in 1942. Released in 1963, The Great Escape was one of the most successful blockbusters of its day and consolidated Steve McQueen's status as a film legend.
The story begins with the arrival of these Allied P.O.W.s at a newly constructed high-security camp. There, the German commandant informs them that their attempts at escape will prove futile and that they should co-operate with their captors until the war is over. Of course, they have absolutely no intention of doing so. Indeed, no sooner have they arrived than some of the more daring among them are trying to break out. It seems the Germans have rather foolishly incarcerated the best escape artists together in one place so what could they have expected? So, led by the determined squadron leader Bartlett, alias Big X (Richard Attenborough),
we now have a veritable rogue's gallery of soldiers all doing their bit for the effort. It's these characters and their inventive escapades that make the movie as enjoyable as it is.
Schemers like Hendley, the scrounger (James Garner), who can provide the men with whatever is needed, even blackmailing some of the more susceptible Nazi guards. Then, there's Danny, the tunnel king (Charles Bronson), who has already dug his way out of sixteen tunnels; Sedgwick, the manufacturer (James Coburn); and Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum), who is charged with dispersing the vast amounts of dirt accumulated in digging out the tunnels. Others include Cavendish (Nigel Stock), whose job it is to keep the enemy distracted while the work is being done; MacDonald (Gordon Jackson), who has to know everything that goes on in the camp as Intelligence officer and Blythe, the forger (a very poignant performance by Donald Pleasence), who has to provide fake passports and travel documents for the men, not an easy task when it is revealed that he is going blind. You've also got a couple of scallywags like Ives (Angus Lennie) and of course, Hilts (the inimitable McQueen), who are glad to help out when they are not spending most of their time in the cooler!
If you are expecting a serious, hard-hitting drama about World War II and the P.O.W. experience, you'll have to look elsewhere. This is first and foremost a Boy's Own style adventure, with plenty of light-hearted moments to keep the audience entertained. It's hard to think of another film so bursting with memorable scenes, whether it's McQueen on his motorcycle, Donald Pleasence picking up a pin (see the movie and you'll understand), Gordon Jackson's fatal slip-up at the bus stop, Garner heroically taking Pleasence with him when they escape, the tunnel scenes, the tension of the escape sequence itself - just the sheer enjoyment of watching these guys carry out their incredible plan. However, that's not to say the movie denies the tragedy behind the real-life story of the escape. Indeed, as the film enters its final stages, some heart-breaking events transpire to remind the viewer of the human cost of such an endeavour. Nevertheless, this is essentially a hopeful film designed to give your flagging spirits a boost, and serves as an old-fashioned reminder of true heroism in a time of great tragedy.
The performances from an all-star cast are terrific, especially McQueen, Attenborough and Pleasence, although Coburn's Australian accent is dodgy, to say the least. Some have complained that the movie is overlong, but I think director John Sturges gets the pace just right, enabling us to engage with the story and fully appreciate the effort involved in such a risky undertaking. I have to say I have watched this movie on countless occasions and the time always seems to fly by. Credit must also go to composer Elmer Bernstein for creating one of the most memorable and stirringly heroic music scores ever. For first-class, cheer-the-heroes entertainment, this is the best you are ever likely to see.
This film has a PG rating.
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Production Year: 1970 - War - Director: Brian G. Hutton - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Clint Eastwood, Telly Savalas, Carroll O'Connor, Donald Sutherland, Don Rickles, Gavin MacLeod
In 1943 the Germans opened Stalag Luft North a maximum-security prisoner-of-war camp ... more
designed to hold even the craftiest escape artist. In doing so however the Nazis unwittingly assembled the finest escape team in military history – brillia...
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Advantages: Star studded cast, Based on a true story, Funny, And that motorcycle chase which everybody loves Disadvantages: I cant think of one honestly
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