The Great Escape (1963)

On March 24, 1944 several hundred prisoners in the German prison camp Stalag Luft III put into action a plan they had been working on for over a year.  This was a new camp, one boldly called "escape proof" by the Luftwaffe.  But you see, they hadn't counted on the ingenuity of their RAF prisoners.  And that night 76 prisoners managed to go through their tunnel and escape the camp.

The Great Escape is the Hollywood adaptation of that story.  Clearly, many things are changed in the story. James Clavell, the screenwriter, obviously had his orders to make certain changes to make the story appeal to more than just British audiences.  So Steve McQueen, for example, has quite the starring role as one of the three Americans in the movie who never existed in real life.

The result of it all, inflated history as it is, is nothing short of a brilliant movie delight.  Everything, particularly the writing, is simply marvelous.  The first half of the film plays out almost as comedy, as the prisoners outwit and outmaneuver their German captors.  The second half then is pure action adventure, as the 76 who managed to get through the tunnel do their best to make it to freedom.

Of course there are the iconic elements involved; the music, the image of Charles Bronson crawling through the tunnel as he digs, and of course Steve McQueen bouncing his baseball around in the "cooler."  If you have never seen it, you must; The Great Escape is both amazing entertainment and unbelievable history.

Entertainment: 9/10
Artistic Value: 6/10
Technical Merit: 7/10

Overall: 9/10

P.S.  It has its drawbacks.  1.The ending is weaker than the rest.  2. Some of the actors are not as good as the main players. 3. I think an opportunity was missed to make some greater artistic points in the midst of the action and wit.

In spite of whatever drawbacks might be found, this is still a greatly wonderful movie, one nearly impossible to improve.  Bottom line: The Great Escape is one of the most fun and watchable (and re-watchable) movies of all time.