The Great Escape (1963) Reviews

The Great Escape (1963)
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The Great Escape is based on the true story of a group of Allied prisoners of war who managed to escape from an allegedly impenetrable Nazi prison camp during World War II. At the beginning of the film, the Nazis gather all their most devious and troublesome POWs and place them at a new prison camp, which was designed to be impervious to escapes. Immediately, the prisoners develop a scheme where they will leave the camp by building three separate escape tunnels. Richard Attenborough is the British soldier who masterminds the whole plan, and who commands his motley squad--featuring Charles Bronson as a Polish trench-digging expert, James Garner as an American with a talent for theft, Donald Pleasence as a masterful forger, and Steve McQueen as an American rebel--through the construction of the tunnels and, eventually, their escape. An epic adventure film, The Great Escape runs nearly three hours, featuring a rousing Elmer Bernstein score and exciting action sequences -- including a notorious motorcycle chase between McQueen and the Nazis -- the likes of which had never been seen before in Hollywood productions. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

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Starring:
Steve McQueenJames Garner, (more)
Director(s):
John Sturges
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Average Ratings

(20 member reviews)  


Member Reviews


David B.

This is an all-time classic war movie. Big name actors of their era, great roles for them all- the BEST and my favorite is Steve "Cooler-King" McQueen.

Yes   |   No


D B.

Seen it many times. A favorite of mine.

Yes   |   No


Norma B.

We rented this to watch with our 16 year old daughter, who is studying WWII in history class. We all loved it. What a breath of fresh air. A family movie, a true story, and modern enough to still seem "hip." Special bonus: seeing David McCallum as a young man. Yes, teenagers, we were all young once...

Yes   |   No


Barbara B.

Great movie - nice to find one you can enjoy with family & friends.

Yes   |   No


John R.

There are some movies that are considered "classics," and these are the "classics" that everyone talks about. "Gone With the Wind," "Casablanca," "Citizen Kane," "It's A Wonderful Life," "Birth of a Nation," etc. Then there are the other kinds of classics, which have every right to be ranked with those films, as well as sometimes deserving to be ranked higher. "The Great Escape" is a classic example of this. It was one of the earliest movies that showed that you didn't have to make a heavy serious drama to be considered a "classic." If you have likeable and/or relatable characters, and you have pacing, it doesn't matter. Plus it seems as though this was one of the first "classics" to be considered an "Action" movie. I believe this film is as much a "classic" as "Die Hard," "Aliens," and "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Plus this was my first experience with Steve McQueen, and dammit, he's a badass!

Yes   |   No


Michael R.

This is that movie that no matter where you start watching it from, you usually end up watching it to the end...It is story telling the way we all like to see it done..with such a huge cast...everyone has a part that fits and we can understand how it will play out..and no matter how many times I watch it. I always want everyone to make it home....

Yes   |   No


Joe R.

It was a 2 DVD set but all I recieved was the movie.It would've been nice if blockbuster could get it right with 2 disk sets,since this isn't the first time this has happened!I read another review that said they recieved only the special features DVD.At least I got to see the movie.If they preview a 2 dick sets they should send 2 disk sets.

Yes   |   No


Richard F.

Please note that this disk (Collector's Edition) contains only commentary on the making of the movie The Great Escape, but in fact does not contain the ACTUAL MOVIE. Or maybe I just got the 2nd disk of a 2 disk set, but my disk did not contain the movie. If you just want the movie - click on "All Editions".

Yes   |   No


Joshua M.

I have loved this movie since I was young. The acting is superb, the story well told, and the scenery/sets are great. I've seen it SO many times! The viewer really feels they have had a look at what it was for prisoners of war during this time. I have to stress that the casting for this movie is perfect. ENJOY!

Yes   |   No


Andrew H.

This is an exiting movie, although it is'nt entirely understandable. It is funny action packed and really awesome.

Yes   |   No


 
 
 

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    Member Reviews
     
    David B.

    This is an all-time classic war movie. Big name actors of their era, great roles for them all- the BEST and my favorite is Steve "Cooler-King" McQueen.

    Yes   |   No

     
    D B.

    Seen it many times. A favorite of mine.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Norma B.

    We rented this to watch with our 16 year old daughter, who is studying WWII in history class. We all loved it. What a breath of fresh air. A family movie, a true story, and modern enough to still seem "hip." Special bonus: seeing David McCallum as a young man. Yes, teenagers, we were all young once...

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 20 Reviews