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The basic story involves an Allied plan for
a massive breakout from a German P.O.W. camp, during World War
Two. The Nazis had created a high-security, escape -proof prisoner
of war camp for those annoying detainees who have attempted
escape from their other prison of war camps. These prisoners
are not discouraged at all, as they plan a huge escape of 100
men. The first half of the film has a comedic tone as they fool
their guards as they find creative ways to dig their tunnels.
The second half of the film is filled with high adventure action
as they flee to safety.
The crackling screenplay, by James Clavell
and W.R. Burnett, was based on Paul Brickhill's novel about
this true event. Australian James Clavell was a P.O.W. himself
in Singapore during W.W. II, and wrote such classic screenplays
as "The Fly," "King Solomon Mines," "Watusi,"
"The Satan Bug," and "To Sir With Love."
W.R. Burnett was a prolific novel / screenwriter
for over 40 years. His work can be seen in such films as "Little
Caesar," "Scar Face (1932)," "The Getaway
(1941)," "Seargeant's Three," and "The Asphalt
Jungle."
The great direction by the big budget, action
yarn master John Sturges, brings the stirring screenplay to
life, as he skillfully puts the scenes together and works with
the fabulous cast. Some of his other films are "The Magnificent
Seven," "The Hallelujah Trail," "Ice Station
Zebra," "Marooned," "Valdez," and "The
Eagle Has Landed."
The incredible cast in this film includes: Steve
McQueen, James Garner, James
Coburn, Charles
Bronson, David McCallum, Donald Pleasance, Richard Attenborough.
Sturges had worked previously with McQueen, Coburn, and Bronson
on "The Magnificent Seven" (1960).
This film turned Steve McQueen into a genuine superstar, a position
he maintained through the 60s, and part way into the 70s. Interestingly,
McQueen did not initially want to make the movie, and had to
be convinced to take the role by his wife.
My favorite scene is the one in which McQueen's jumps over a
barbed wired fence on his motorcycle. The scene shows the great
desire for freedom in the human heart, and the lengths that
some will go in the attempt to achieve that freedom. Despite
claims to the contrary, the jump was really done by stunt rider,
Bud Ekins, which Steve acknowledged publicly at the time.
"The Great Escape" is a classic because
of a great cast, exciting story, heart- pounding action sequences,
and stirring musical score. Although the film is long, it needs
the length to tell the big story of the greatest allied prison
camp breakout in World War Two.
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