The Great Escape Reviews

Pointless

Thought the film was very good but the bonus features disc, to me, was pointless. Returned the disc the day after I received, didn't realise it was on my list.

Classic Wartime Film

O.k we've all seen this about 5 times before, but there are still good reasons to rent this film. Steve McQueen, plays a great part as an American motorcycle rider, who seems to spend most of his time in solitary confinement, and Richard Attenborgh give a great performance as the organiser. Any film that gives you a feeling of pride and excitment is well worth another watch.

A classic, but...

The Great Escape deserves its place among the top 100 films, but for those who have not seen this film a few notes of caution: This is not an action or war movie in the traditional sense. Most of the film is shot in the prisoner of war camp for high escape risk prisoners. There are no battle scenes and the story is very much one of character development and the interaction of the prisoners with their German captors. It is also not an 'action' movie (except for the final 30 mintues, which has many classic scenes.)

The plot, based on a true story, is about a group of prisoners who are all sent to a special camp so that the Germans can keep a close eye on them. No sooner do the prisoners arrive than they begin to plot an escape. They devise a plan to dig an escape tunnel out of the compound. Some of the prisoners devise escape plots of their own and this adds to the development of the film.

Where the movie really shines is in the acting. Steve McQueen, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and others put in great performances as they each does their part to help the escape plan come together.

Watch this movie and you'll enjoy a classic of 60's filmmaking, with great star performances. However, if you are looking for a classic WWII war movie with lots of action I would suggest for starters: 'A bridge too far', or for something more modern, the incredible 'Band of Brothers' series.

Brilliant Film

An all-time best film. Very good every time you watch it. This is a complete classic if you haven't seen it then you need to.

War classic

This is a must-have movie! It is packed with an all-star cast. Richard Attenborough is brilliant along with Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Garner. The music is rousing and has since become well-recognised for years. What makes this film even more watchable is that it is based on a true story.

Blinding all time classic

When do you ever see a cast such as this these days? Fantastic film displaying the courage & cunning of the allied POW's. God bless them.

absolutely fantastic!

A fantastic film that will not fade with time. Superbly acted, a top notch plot that keeps you gripped all the way through and charecters that you really care about. At times humourous, at other times exceedingly sad. This film goes to prove that a war film doesnt need top of the range special effects, as these are likely to be bettered in the future, whereas a good plot and great acting will never fade. Highly recommended.

The Fantastic Escape

What can I say, it's a classic.

It's a shame that as usual, to make this palatable to the American audience they needed a big name American as the star attraction and even though this is based on a true story, the story had to be changed so that Steve McQueen (a motocross nut) could be shown riding a bike.

Despite that, it's one of the gretest WW2 movies made.

Storming Sunday afternon of a film, if you havent seen it, its absolutely marvellous and worth a look.

Loved by Young & Old

Introduced my kids to this classic war film with a few moans & groans. By the time it had been on half an hour they were all well into it. At the end they all agreed that it is one of the best films ever made. Great story, great acting just a great classic film!