When it comes to recognizable genera’s, whether it be Westerns, Musicals, Horror, Romance and so forth, we typically have imagery, events and tones that we associate with these categories of films. Once in a while however is a genera film that fits in its respected category, yet has a look and feel that’s all its own. For today’s topic, 1963’s “The Great Escape” is a War movie, and hits many of the same familiar beats, but presents it in a way that’s a little different. There’s still group talks of strategy and battle plans, but no traditional battles on the fields. It’s a showcase for the trials of the human spirit against mounting odds, but conveyed in a unique tone, merging lighthearted optimism with dramatic loss and consequences. Needless to say, it’s one of the great War movie classics, and well worth looking back on.
What we have is a story based on a novel, “The Great Escape” by Paul Brickhill, as well as inspiration from real events in the early 1940’s World War 2. The year is 1944, and German High Command has assembled the most talented British, Canadian and American escape artists, and placed them in what’s supposedly an escape proof POW camp. Shortly upon arrival, the prisoners refuse to break, and are determined to accomplish the unthinkable … using a series of underground tunnels, dig their way out of the German prison, and find sanctuary in Switzerland. It takes over a year, but eventually comes the night that 600 prisoners dare to launch their big breakout. Just over seventy men make it out of the compound, and the ladder half of the film follows their efforts to make their second escape out of the country.
While this wasn’t the first POW, barbed-wire-tunnel-digging picture released, it was the one with the biggest budget, biggest cast of a-list performers, and the longest run-time, clocking in at one-hundred-seventy-three minuets. Yet, despite its formidable length, and slow-burning narrative, the film was one of the highest grossing, money makers of its time, and received all kinds of acclaim from both critics and audiences alike. It was also a pop-culture sensation, and it’s been referenced and spoofed in several other films over the years. Speaking for myself for a moment, I was in my carefree high school years when I first saw this movie, and I remember being intimidated by the films run-time, and slow-burning first half, but I was also won-over by the cast, and by the time we reached the middle of the feature, I was hooked, no different from any modern day action picture I saw.
The cast features many greats of the time, including Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Corburn, and of course it’s Steve McQueen who steals the show as rebel leader Virgil Hilts.
He’s also referred to as The Cooler King, as he’s always captured and placed in the cooler, yet his spirit refuses to break, and he continues to find solace either from his fellow cellmates, or his signature baseball. With his laid-back charm, and one-man stunt performances, he was a big contribution to the films commercial appeal. Donal Pleasence plays Lieutenant Blythe, also known as The Forger, who creates the fake passports for all 600 prisoners, which costs him his sight, and to me, he’s one of the real heroes of the group. My personal favorite character is Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett, also known as Big X, who’s the ringleader of the group, and the one most determined to get everyone out. Before his Oscar winning role in “Gandi”, or his more recognizable contemporary roles in “Jurassic Park” and “Miricle on 34th Street”, I find Richard Attenborough’s portrayal of Big X to be one of his most human and layered performances.
Director John Sturges was also at a high point in his career, after his success directing Westerns like “Bad Day at Black Rock” and “The Magnificent Seven”. He had also directed many films that overlap with comedy, and while “The Great Escape” marked his first time directing a War picture, and he brought some of that lighthearted personality of his other pictures with him. As stated in the opening, the film has a unique tone, focusing on a grim and oppressive situation, but it’s also fairly upbeat, and colorful in its presentation. Even the music score by the great Elmer Bernstein is enticingly cheerful, and adds to the film's optimistic mood. Had this movie come out today, it would be very muddy, rainy, and hammering in how bleak everything is. However, the positive nature of the first half works as a counter point to the drama ahead, putting you in a mind-set that most everyone will make it out … only for the exact opposite to happen. For as deceptively cheerful as the film opens, the film still highlights just how challenging things are for our heroic prisoners, and it allows us to better connect with them.
Once the movie takes on its second life as a cross-country adventure, things sky-rocket into greatness. From the suspense of simply boarding a train full of Germans, to flying a jet low on fuel, to unexpected aid from the French Resistance at a local café, this third act makes the lengthy opening worthwhile, and is still riveting today.
Of course, Steve McQueen’s daring motorbike chase is often cited as one of the decades best action scenes, both for its thrilling stunts, with motorbikes jumping fences, and for our investment in the character, and how much we want to see him make it out of the countryside. A behind the scenes feature on Turnner Classic Movies revealed that the terrain was so hard to cover, and challenging for the extra’s that McQueen actually had to double for many of his German pursuers. Tragically, fifty of the prisoners who attempted to escape were gunned down, while many others were taken back to camp. This was taken from real events, as the movie is dedicated in memory to the fifty who died. Despite the dramatic finale, the film still closes on an optimistic note, that the human spirit continues to thrive against all odds and refuses to be beaten.
While the film has been preserved as a classic, and was a big hit in the 60’s, I was surprised it didn’t get much attention at the Academy Awards, with only a single nomination for Best Film Editing. Regardless, while I wouldn’t place “The Great Escape” among my absolute favorite movies, I do still look back on it fondly as one of the great War movie classics. I’d also give it a stamp of recommendation for anyone to see at least once. While the length is imposing, and the pacing a little off in the first act, I still say it’s worthwhile. If anything, it’s a War movie that can stand shoulder to shoulder with its fellow classics, yet also stand apart with its own distinct voice and appeal.
Thanks for reading my review of the 1963 War movie classic “The
Great Escape” … and continue to enjoy the movies you Love!
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