The Great Escape
– The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number..
The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, relocates them to a high-security 'escape-proof' camp to sit out the remainder of the war. Undaunted, the prisoners plan one of the most ambitious escape attempts of World War II. Based on a true story.
04 Jul 1963
English, German, French, Russian, Spanish
John Sturges
Paul Brickhill (book), James Clavell (screenplay), W.R. Burnett (screenplay)
Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald
Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist-type prisoners-of-war (POWs) are all put in an 'escape proof' camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the film is played for comedy as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use boats and trains and planes to get out of occupied Europe.
Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations.
United Artists