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The Great Escape

Play trailer Poster for The Great Escape 1963 2h 52m War Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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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The Great Escape

The Great Escape

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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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Critics Reviews

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Wendy Ide The Times (UK) 12/27/2023
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. Go to Full Review
Jamie Ludwig Chicago Reader 02/21/2019
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. Go to Full Review
Anthony Lane The New Yorker 04/23/2014
This is a Boys' Own Tale, and, as boys, we wanted it, cleansed of horrors, for ourselves. Go to Full Review
Olly Richards Sunday Times (UK) 09/19/2022
Steve McQueen turns his movie-star glint to maximum as the swaggering American Cooler King... Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 05/29/2022
5/5
Even though the filmmakers make changes to benefit an American audience, the memory of the 50 executed airmen will never be forgotten. Go to Full Review
Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review 02/17/2022
4/4
Somehow, The Great Escape manages to mourn the dead and uphold a unified sense of defiance in the same movement. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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John Warner Nov 9 It’s so cool seeing classic movies on the big screen. Had a fun time. Very nice and packed theater. See more Michael S 10/09/2022 So great to see it again. See more Peter T Nov 21 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 ? See more Derek J. @Drock500 Oct 8 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. See more thiago s @Thiagostone Oct 6 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. See more Murky S @MarvinS Sep 22 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. See more Read all reviews
The Great Escape

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Movie Info

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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