The Great Escape

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The Great Escape

1963

2h 52m

War

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

53 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett. Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

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Critics Consensus

With its impeccably slow-building story and a cast for the ages, The Great Escape is an all-time action classic.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

This star-laden real-life tale of teamwork and derring-do is a trifle flabby at nearly three hours, but there is no denying that this is one of the best loved of all Second World War films.

Dec 27, 2023

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Jamie Ludwig

Chicago Reader

For all its missteps, when it comes to escapism, intrigue, and indulgence, you could do a whole lot worse than The Great Escape. Just watch it with an open eye.

Feb 21, 2019

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

This is a Boys' Own Tale, and, as boys, we wanted it, cleansed of horrors, for ourselves.

Apr 23, 2014

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Olly Richards

Sunday Times (UK)

Steve McQueen turns his movie-star glint to maximum as the swaggering American Cooler King...

Sep 19, 2022

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Even though the filmmakers make changes to benefit an American audience, the memory of the 50 executed airmen will never be forgotten.

Rated: 5/5

May 29, 2022

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Somehow, The Great Escape manages to mourn the dead and uphold a unified sense of defiance in the same movement.

Rated: 4/4

Feb 17, 2022

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John Warner

It’s so cool seeing classic movies on the big screen. Had a fun time. Very nice and packed theater.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/10/25

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Michael S

So great to see it again.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/09/22

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Peter T

I watched this movie at our local Picture Theatre when I was only 8 years old with my late mum,dad and brother ‘ it was one of the most wonderful and best action packed movies I’ve ever seen in my life! Now being in my 60’s I still like to watch it from time to time and it never gets less enjoyable ‘ it came from an age when the actors were the top performers of the big screen movie industry ! and without them in this masterpiece it would not have been anywhere near the blockbuster it is ! I gave it 5 Stars mainly because it’s in my opinion one of the best War films or any films ever made ! I dare anyone to say it isn’t in the Top 10 ? In my opinion if you do ? You’re hard to impress ?

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/25

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Derek J.

In their pursuit of freedom, our all male cast fail and fail until finally, they fail again and die. Except for Steve McQueen who doesn’t learn anything except how to get his friends killed. There is no character growth or even much of a story. Just a bunch of guys trying over and over to escape. This movie is way overrated. I want my three hours back.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/08/25

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thiago s

Filme mais ou menos, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são mais ou menos, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom, e esse filme tem uma cena paródiada por Leonardo dicaprio em era um vez em Hollywood de 2019.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/06/25

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Murky S

Back when films could only be made exciting based on a storyline and dialogue. I appreciate every minute taken to explain the plot and pay attention to logic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/25

Full Review

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John Sturges

Director

Steve McQueen

Capt. Hilts 'The Cooler King'

James Garner

Flight Lt. Hendley 'The Scrounger'

Richard Attenborough

Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett 'Big X'

Charles Bronson

Flight Lt. Danny Velinski 'The Tunnel King'

James Donald

Group Capt. Ramsey 'The SBO'

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Synopsis

Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett. Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

Director: John Sturges
Producer: John Sturges, James Clavell
Screenwriter: Paul Brickhill, James Clavell, W. R. Burnett
Distributor: United Artists, Criterion Collection, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Mirisch Company
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 2h 52m

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