Cast
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Steve McQueen
as Hilts 'The Cooler King'
James Garner
as Hendley 'The Scrounger'
Richard Attenborough
as Bartlett 'Big X'
James Donald
as Ramsey 'The SBO'
Charles Bronson
as Danny 'Tunnel King'
Donald Pleasence
as Blythe 'The Forger'
James Coburn
as Sedgwick 'Manufacturer'
Hannes Messemer
as Von Luger 'The Kommandant'
David McCallum
as Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal'
Gordon Jackson
as MacDonald 'Intelligence'
John Leyton
as Willie 'Tunnel King'
Angus Lennie
as Ives 'The Mole'
Nigel Stock
as Cavendish 'The Surveyor'
Robert Graf
as Werner 'The Ferret'
Jud Taylor
as Goff
Crew
Director
- John Sturges
Producer
- John Sturges
- James Clavell
Reviews
John Chard
Not just great, simply magnificent more like!
"Wait a minute, you aren't seriously suggesting that if I get thru the wire and case everything out there, and don't get picked up, to turn myself in and get thrown in the cooler for a couple of months so you can get the information you need"
Smart, witty and directed with adroit hands by John Sturges, The Great Escape is standing the test of time as a joyous multi cast family favourite. Based on the real accounts of allied soldiers escaping en mass from a German POW camp back in 1942, the film is involving from start to finish, due in the main to the wonderful array of characters on show. We follow them from the moment they arrive at the camp right through to the stunning climax, and it is with great joy I say that none of the cast lets the side down, they all do great work for the astute and undervalued Sturges. A number of great set pieces align with Elmer Bernstein's fabulous score to never let the blood settle, and in among the cheeky slices of humour is palpable tension to make this simply one of the best films of its type, in fact one of the best films ever.
Sturges and his writers, James Clavell & W.R. Burnett, adapt from the book written by Paul Brickhill, someone who speaks from experience having been one of the prisoners of super POW camp Stalag Luft III, which of course is what The Great Escape is born from. Sturges was fascinated by the story and after trying without fail for over a decade to get it onto the screen, he finally succeeded. The success three years earlier of his star ensemble Western, The Magnificent Seven, enabled Sturges to realise his vision, the result of which is still enthralling new generations with each passing year.
The cast is made up of notable thespians and iconic heroes. Steve McQueen (enticing the American audience in one feels), Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, James Donald, Donald Pleasance, James Coburn, James Garner, David McCallum, John Leyton and Gordon Jackson. Which of course is a pretty tidy roll call, but the input and impact of Hannes Messemer as the Camp Commandant, Colonel Von Luger should not be understated. His scenes have a real humanistic quality that shows a softer side of Germany to the one ruled by a certain despot (the finale here offering up the counter opposite of the war), the writers smartly, and rightly, not tarring a nation with the same old brush.
A wonderful involving movie that puts characteristic heart in bed with the action and suspense laden plot. 10/10
Sep 2, 2019
GenerationofSwine
I can't watch this any more. It's a fun movie, one that my dad made me watch as a kid. One that I loved...
.... and then Eddie Izzard killed it for me. Now whenever I try to watch it all I do is think about his stand-up bit. I think it was from his "Dressed to Kill," maybe "Circle," but whichever it was, that is how you know you're hysterical, when you forever utterly ruin a classic movie because your routine surpasses the film you're making fun of.
Anyway, Izzard had a point, so it's fair I can't not think of him whenever I watch it. He turned Steve McQueen's character into a joke and I love him for it.
But, if you haven't seen the stand-up, it's a fun movie. It's not as good as Stalag 13, but it's more of an action film and one that, well, Izzard had a point but it's still a fun movie.
Jan 10, 2023
CinemaSerf
Got to be the definition of an all star (albeit all male) cast in this gripping demonstration of just how inventive and ingenious people can be when incarcerated and facing a bleak (if any) future. Each character in this WWII POW drama brings something different to this ensemble of style and imagination. Richard Attenborough stars as the proverbial pain in the ass to his Nazi guards having repeatedly escaped before, and he puts together his "X" organisation to work every scheme imaginable to get people out of this supposedly escape proof "Super-Stalag ". Steve McQueen forms an unlikely alliance with Angus "the Mole" Lennie; James "the scrounge" Garner with the expert, tea-drinking, forger Donald Pleasance whose eyesight is failing rapidly; Charles Bronson and James Coburn and a whole raft of seasoned British actors bring this whole enterprise to life in a gritty, sometimes amusing, but ultimately determined way. Hannes Messemer "The Kommandant" also deserves mention as he seems to still cling to some of the basic tenets of human decency as he tries to stop the Gestapo from implementing their more drastic solutions. Elmer Bernstein tops the whole thing off with a cracking score. It is long, certainly, but at least we can be certain we get out at the end...
Jun 1, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, The Great Escape examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director John Sturges brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1963, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Great Escape took approximately 28 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $4.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 173 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 220 minutes long.
- The musical score contains over 65 unique compositions.
- The film contains approximately 1059 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1963, when this film was released:
- Social and cultural revolution was transforming Western societies.
- The Vietnam War was becoming increasingly controversial.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Great Escape shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Another Promise, which focuses more on action than character development, The Great Escape offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The Mortal Storm and The Hustler explore similar territory, The Great Escape stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: July 3, 1963
- Runtime: 2h 53m
- Budget: $4,000,000
- Revenue: $11,700,000
Where to Watch
