Watch The Great Escape

The Great Escape from 1963 is a classic war film that tells the story of a group of Allied prisoners of war who plan a daring escape from a German prison camp during World War II. This movie takes place in a German prison camp, Stalag Luft III, in which 250,000 captured Allied soldiers were held under extremely harsh conditions. However, in the midst of despair, a group of Allied prisoners of war work together to plan the ultimate escape.

The film stars Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, who play the roles of American Air Force Captain Virgil Hilts, American Flight Lieutenant Robert Hendley, and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett, respectively. Throughout the movie, they collaborate with other prisoners of war to devise an escape plan that requires extraordinary measures and a great deal of courage.

The first half of The Great Escape sets the stage for the plan of the prisoners to come into play. Hilts is introduced as the "Cooler King," a name given to him because he has spent more time in the camp's isolation cells than any other prisoner. Hendley is a "scrounger," meaning he has an eye for obtaining useful items necessary for the escape. Bartlett is chosen to lead the escape, and he creates a devious plan to break out via an underground tunnel that the prisoners have been digging for months.

As the plan to escape starts to come to fruition, the film takes suspense to the next level. The film highlights the team's bravery and determination, mixed with moments of humor and compassion. The movie, which is based on the non-fiction book by Paul Brickhill, is a dramatization of one of the most remarkable events of World War II. The Great Escape is a thoroughly engrossing movie, and even though it is lengthy, there is never a moment when the story seems to drag.

One of the film's most famous scenes features McQueen's character in a high-speed motorcycle chase through German backcountry. This scene is remarkable not just because of McQueen's incredible skills on the motorcycle, but also because it was actually McQueen who performed most of the stunts himself. He had learned how to ride a motorcycle, so he would not be replaced by a stuntman in this iconic scene. While this part of the movie was not historically accurate, it sold many tickets and showcased Steve McQueen's incredible talent.

The Great Escape is an excellent movie that has earned its place as a classic of the war genre. The story is told with a hint of humor and a great deal of humanity. While the characters are courageous and determined, they are also ordinary people thrown into extraordinary circumstances. The film's combination of suspense, action, humor and tragedy makes the story feel real and relatable. Each of the actors delivers unforgettable performances, but the movie's greatest triumph is its ability to inspire the audience with the prisoners' heroism and perseverance.

Overall, The Great Escape from 1963 is a war movie that provides both lively entertainment and compelling drama. Its grand scale and intense suspense will keep viewers on edge, while its cast of memorable characters will resonate with viewers long after the credits roll. This movie is a must-see for anyone who loves gritty war epics, tense prison-break stories, or just a good old adventure tale.

The Great Escape is a 1963 adventure movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 52 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2 and a MetaScore of 86.