Hi, all, slowly getting the hang of this review writing, and enjoying reading many of them.
Hi, all, slowly getting the hang of this review writing, and enjoying reading many of them.
Member since:15.11.2005
Reviews:186
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The Great Escape.
Director: John Sturgess. Screen writers: James Clavell & W.R.Burnett. Music Composer: Elmer Bernstien.
The Film. In my opinion. Probably the best WWII prisoner of War film ever made. Based on a lot of truth, with only minor changes for film purposes. In 1943 the Germans, especially the Nazi's, are so fed up, with the time, expense and manpower, trying to apprehend escape prisoners, they come up with a solution, which is to build a maximum security prison design to hold even the most cunning of escapees. Stalag Luft North.which is under the command of the German Luftwaffe.(Airforce).
Here they assemble, prisoners of war from all the allied forces, unwittingly putting together the best of the best, as far as escaping is concerned.
The British officers devise a plan, hoping to enable 250 prisoners to escape on a mass break out, by tunnelling 30 foot deep and 300 yds to the trees, and then escape of into the woods and make there separate ways, to Switzerland and freedom.
To make this happen, they have to enlist the help of prisoners from all the allied forces and varied walks of life, needing tailors (for the making of civilian clothing) a forger brilliantly played by Donald Sutherland, for (passports and papers) an American hot head Hilts played by the great Steve McQueen, who has to go escape and bring back intelligence reports, as to escape routes, bus and train times etc: And James Garner as Henley, the scrounger, for food, material, tools and even cons a prison guard out of a camera and film.
They decide on 3 tunnels, so if the Germans find one, there is the option of the other two.
Danny played by Charles Bronson is the tunnel King.
Putting the Germans minds at rest, the prisoners do everything by the book, as not to raise suspicion, Choir lessons, bird enthusiasts Club and Gardening, soon have the Germans thinking all is well and a slight lack in security enables the prisoners to get on with the tunnelling.
Eventually thinking they have tunnelled far enough they make a break for the woods. There plans are nearly spoilt straight away as Danny becomes clostaphobic following a tunnel collapse, but with the assistance of his friend he makes it, only to discover they are short of the trees,
Hilts makes a break for the woods and sets up a rope system, when the search lights have gone a tug on the rope, enables the men to know when the coast is clear, 75 men make it out, before their tunnel is discovered and the rest have to abandon the escape.
The story then follows how each escaped prisoner makes his way to freedom.
Do they make it? To tell you the out come would really spoil the rest of the film, if you've never seen it, why not?
Thrills, suspense, fun and fantastic scenery all through the film, it never falters and is a real gripping film, which gives you a real sense of pride.
Steve McQueen apparently insisted on doing all the motorbike stunts himself, Will he make that final fence?
I really enjoy this film, and although its probably been on TV a few hundred times, it still enthrals me, In fact my 16 year old son and 13 year old daughter think it's a superb film as well, so its stood the test of time, and still appeals to all age groups Male and Female.
Main Actors: 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.
DVD special features 24-minute documentary, 'Return To The Great Escape'. US Theatrical Trailer. Eight-Page Booklet Containing Exclusive Behind-The-Scenes Trivia And Production Notes. Interactive Menu Screen. Chapter Search. Languages in Mono: English, German Spanish, French, and Italian. Subtitles: English, German, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Polish, Norwegian, English for the hard of hearing, German for the hard of hearing Wide screen. PAL. Number of discs 1. Sound quality. Mono Region 2 PG rated.
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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...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
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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