The Great Escape

1963 • 172 minutes

About this movie

Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist type prisoners of war 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.

Ratings and reviews

An amazing movie, but just slightly historically inaccurate. There were no Americans. They were held in a different camp than the British and Canadians, so.... Steve McQueen's character is purely fictional. However it is still incredibly enjoyable and worth 5 stars.

With its blend of comedy and action with a "I love it when a plan comes together" vibe, The Great Escape is my all time favorite war movie. I loved watching the creation and adaptation of the plan as the prisoners tried to escape and the constant threat of capture keeping me on my toes.

Shame they don't know how to make movies like this anymore. Simply great. As well as the man himself Steve McQueen who did the whole motorcycle screen and stunts himself. No one actor today would do that these days. Takes BALLS to jump the bike on his own into the barb wire.