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This was what really happened in the "officers" prison camp during the war. Officers were treated better then the poor souls/citizens who were tortured, experimented on, and starved to death. The writer of this film had been in one of those camps and they were able to recreate the camp just as it was during the war. Hogan's Heros was a sort of spin-off of this movie. Many actors who where on Hogan's Heros were also in the prison camps in Poland and Germany, or their familys fled from the area for their lives. Interesting that those actors would find themselves in a comedy series (ran for 6 years). I doubt they will ever air Hogan's Heros on TV any time soon. Too many "Snowflakes" who might be "offended". We must never forget the horror of those WWII years and those who suffered. As well as the families who were divided, or killed. This was a terrific movie and still is today.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Books are always better, but this movie does a nice job following the book. It is about some American POW's and their attempts at escaping from a POW camp during World War II. Most of the movie takes place in the camp and it portrays the ingenuity of the POW's and many of the details that went into the "Great Escape". A must watch for history lovers.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The story about WWII prisoners escaping is documented here and unless you are looking for How To Make An American Quilt, you won't like this movie. While the story is greatly fictionalized (there was no motorcycle jump) many of those who experienced the escape now claim many of the antics as their own, it seems. Great Escape would be the second movie, behind Bridge On The River Kwai, to make a festive happy little tune about war, tho Bridge's has held out longer. This of course then led to the Hogan's Heroes chippy little sound in the sitcom. Overall the movie is fun, and truth be told, I enjoy James Garner's and Donald Pleasance' story (honestly, could he ever disappoint?) more than McQueen. McQueen himelf is essentially portraying himself. Yea, I'm a bad sonofagun. Looking at old images of him and wondering what made him popular, I can't help but compare him to the equally blonde, blue-eyed and bizarrely popular Daniel Craig. Talk about history repeating. But back to the movie, Great Escape is pretty much that as of now; a great escape. Should air regularly on some holiday, but for some reason, it doesn't, hence the dvd purchase.Read full review
I first watched this movie when it came out in the theater many years ago, and loved it then. Later, I bought it on VHS, and then on CD. I recently discovered that my CD was missing (apparently loaned out, but not returned) so I needed to get a new one. This movie contains so many top male actors that I think it would be cost prohibitive to have made something similar (using that many top actors) today. The music is classic, and although the actual portrayal isn't 100% accurate, (no Americans escaped as an example) the movie line shows the challenges faced by Allied POW's. William R. Glass
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Apparently I will never know what was in the suitcase carried by James Coburn. Otherwise, it's an excellent film, although a grim subject. Great acting from a fine cast.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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