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| Tookey's Review |
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| Pro Reviews |
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| Mixed Reviews |
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| Anti Reviews |
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| Released: |
1963 |
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| Genre: |
ACTION
ADVENTURE
THRILLER
WAR
WORLD WAR II
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| Origin: |
US |
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| Length: |
163 |
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Prisoners plan mass break-out from prisoner-of-war camp. Some make it, others don't. Donald Pleasance breaks glasses. Was it worth it? Don't know.
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Reviewed by Chris Tookey
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Based on an improbable true story, this is one of the most exciting action adventures ever made, helped along by Elmer Bernstein's stirring score, Daniel Fapp's excellent cinematography, a very strong cast, and a screenplay which skilfully mixes action, character and comedy.
It took a far more upbeat approach than previous prisoner-of-war pictures, such as Stalag 17 (1953) and King Rat (1965), but still managed to generate suspense and pathos (Donald Pleasance is especially memorable as the prisoner losing his sight). The most interesting character in the film - and the key to its commercial success - is Hilts (Steve McQueen, pictured), a Sixties anti-hero transported to a 1940s setting. Oddly enough, he doesn't jar, and gives the more orthodox heroes an additional, almost pathetic dimension as the last of a dying breed.
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, James Garner 
