The Great Escape

Positive—“The Great Escape” is a real one-of-a-kind film. While I wouldn’t consider it my personal favorite, every time I see it, I have to admire it as an almost perfect piece of filmmaking… and it just so happens it’s clean enough to watch with your grandma.

The story revolves around a variety of British and American soldiers who try and escape a POW camp under German rule, and they do so using an elaborate plan to dig several tunnels underneath the huts they sleep in to the outdoor woods. This is a true story, wildly enough. And while the names and timeline are switched up for film purposes, the actual escape attempt and overall events are real, which adds engagement and suspense to the film on a whole ‘nother level.

There are plenty of good jailbreak movies out there. So why does The Great Escape seem to stand the test of time, even if it is based on a true story? Well, quite simply put, this movie is as lean as a well-done steak. That’s strange to say about a movie that runs for nearly 3 hours, but every scene seeks to propel the story forward. There’s the main plot, for sure, which is handled very well, but there’s also several other personal plot-lines revolving around some of the many prisoners. And all of them get you highly invested. You have Steve McQueen as Hilts, the hotshot American who provides the movie it’s comic relief while also being one of the team’s greatest assets, you have Bartlett, the dignified leader with the passion to get every prisoner out of the camp, you have Danny, the “tunnel king, ” who struggles to overcome his claustrophobia when the tunnel digging reaches its most intense. There are more characters the film follows, but the point is you care about each and every one of them, which makes the overall mission that much more riveting even with all the intricate mechanics at play.

The movie is pretty light-hearted most of the time, and it’s so tightly written that the first two hours go by like a breeze. The last hour, though, I will dare not spoil, but it does take a very poignant route that will remind you that war, even if it’s not fought directly on the front lines, is a terrible thing.

Now, from a Christian perspective, The Great Escape is based on a true story, of course, so you’re witnessing a group of allies work together to rise up against a great evil, Nazi Germany. The prisoners do everything in their power to help each other out and even put their lives on the line for each other. Even Hilts, who at times expresses his concerns to only help himself, does come around to helping his fellows brothers in arms greatly. And if you haven’t seen the film before, I won’t say what happens. But the film dedicates itself to the prisoners in a way that’s honorable and bittersweet, even if a majority of the film’s runtime is somewhat campy in tone.

There isn’t that much here that’s offensive, unless you’re a small child or a highly sensitive person. The Great Escape isn’t rated. But if it were in the modern day, it would most likely come back with a PG for “violence, language, and smoking.” There is some violence that can be quite intense, and even disturbing, for young viewers. But it’s handled quite tastefully and nothing is gratuitous nor graphic. Language is present, but also pretty mild with only a light scattering of words like “d*mn, ” “h*ll, ” “bloody, ” and instances of God’s name that could be taken as a misuse (“for God’s sake, ” “what in God’s name”). There is also periodic smoking and some drinking in one scene where the prisoners celebrate the 4th of July with moonshine.

Bottom line, if you’re trying to watch something with young children, The Great Escape does warrant some minor caution. But as war movies go, it’s one of the mildest out there and it shouldn’t really bother teens or adults. Regardless of your age, though, The Great Escape is an excellent cinematic experience. It’s tight, it has great characters, and it just had a plum interesting story. It’s cliche, I know, but you know what? They just don’t make films like this anymore.
My Ratings: Moral rating: Better than Average / Moviemaking quality: 5

Positive—I first saw this movie in the theaters in its initial release when I was in college. I was extremely impressed with it and have always considered it one of the best of war movies and particularly of World War II films. I had read the Paul Brickell book and was not disappointed with this movie version although obviously characters were in many instances composites. The essence of the book and history were well presented. I am a Steve McQueen fan and although I would have preferred a little more seriousness from him at the beginning of the movie, nonetheless the underlying intensity of his character and the others comes through very well. One can only imagine the need for humor in the grim circumstances of a prisoner of war camp. James Garner, James Coburn, and the other actors comprised a good balance of contrasts and personalities bound together by their imprisonment and desire to escape.

The difference in life views and principles between the SS personnel and the Allied airmen is well presented and contrasted with the character of the German officers and men who respected the prisoners. Within those contrasts is a lesson for Christians to consider. How are we called to treat our enemies and who are our enemies? Seeing the willingness of so many other prisoners to help even though they themselves could not go is a vidi reminder of servanthood and sacrifice. The music, photography, and pace of the movie are top rate and even though there may be some predictability to some events, the stark drama of a “great escape” is compelling and entertaining. My personal measure for a great movie is my own desire to see it again. I watch this movie on video a couple of times each year and each time am totally aborbed in it. It continues to entertain. I highly recommend it. My Ratings: [Excellent! / 5]