I'm not a fan of these macho man movies with the all-star cast, where the Nazis are lenient if not wimpy, and our well-groomed (even in a prisoner camp) protagonists constantly get the upper hand thanks to their heroic courage and ingenuity, and flawless morality. This movie may be based on some factual matter but obviously, none of it is in any way real. It's more like a male fantasy of an escape from a German camp, and it's most likely to entertain you if you're a man and have manhood issues.
This movie is not a good or very good escape but definitely a Great Escape! A great ensemble cast and a great soundtrack. I highly recommend this film.
One of the best movies about leakage and concentration camps, a topic that has often been used. But surely this, as well as great, was the pioneer, with a splendid cast and a great performance from Steve McQueen.
Sensational WWII about hordes of allied prisoners of war attemping a mass escape from a German POW camp. It doesn't feel overlong in it's gigantic 3 hour long running time, and the ending is shockingly tragic. Highly recommended, and it's one of the best War films in the entire world.
One of the best war films around, the Great Escape starts off pretty lighthearted and becomes far more serious towards the end. The 3 hour running time is utilized to its fullest and McQueen and the gang are all solid. Classic in every sense.
Very enjoyable movie about 250 Allied prisoners trying to escape from a German war camp. The beautiful story is told in a rather comical way (supported by its playful soundtrack), but it does get grimmer and more confronting towards the end. There's some great moments of tension and action in this 3 hour long movie that doesn't bore at all.
POW tale with a very roomy and airy feel to it, on the wide screen and in travelogue color, and staged with a sweeping eye for geometry. (A startling contrast, for example, to Bresson's claustrophobic _A Man Escaped_.) It builds up considerable rooting interest in its large congregation of heroes, portrayed by such smoothies as McQueen, Garner, Coburn, Bronson, Attenborough, Pleasence, and Donald. Sturges is a smoothie in his own right.