The Great Escape was based on true events but was highly fictionalized on film to make it as interesting as possible. Though released in 1963, you can watch it over and over even today. In World War II, the Germans had a prison camp especially built for the most troublesome prisoners-of-war in a very remote place, but these POWs were not the ones that could be stopped. You could build a wall in front of them and they would climb it, you could leave them in the middle of the ocean and they would swim across it. Nothing and no one could stop this army of prisoners. A 3-hour movie, but you don’t feel bored even for a second. This movie keeps you on your toes and you want to know what happens next at every turn of events. Excellent performace by Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Donald Pleasance, Charles Bronson and Gordon Jackson. Director John Sturges has done an excellent job and an amazing photographic journey through the trials and tribulations of the escaping POWs. A classic movie that should be part of everybody’s collection.
This movie, though a classic for a long time, did not receive any accolades in 1963 Academy Awards and was put down by a critic, Bosley Crowther who said: “But for much longer than is artful or essential, “The Great Escape” grinds out its tormenting story without a peek beneath the surface of any man, without a real sense of human involvement. It’s a strictly mechanical adventure with make-believe men.” Please forgive him because he knew not what he was saying!!
My rating: 4.5 stars
Genre: Action, War
isn’t Eagle Eye the one where Shia LaBeouf becomes Indiana Jones? wait a sec, i’m confused…
Yes! That’s where Shia Lebouf run around like a chicken with its head cut off…while a woman gives him orders on his cell phone! lol.
I am a world war 2 historian not an expert but close and I know the real story of the plot hands down. I agree completely with this review, the moview which I saw last night was a complete flop. I saw a movie about this that was made in the 80’s or early 90’s with no name actors and it was 100 times better, so dissapointing.
Allan Legacy
Such action movie make me feel fine last week end I went on to see this movie Valkyrie I have seen it. Tom is not my favorite actor but my buddy took me to. I thought it may not that much attractive. In the mean time watching the movie my total view of tom change because in this movie I saw him as very much characteristic person. I do feel his performance add more attraction to movie. Saw it on a website with lot of joy.