Survives translation from stage to screen with flying colors...

Rating: 8/10 (25 August 2006)

Personally, I always thought that if WILLIAM HOLDEN deserved to win an Oscar, it was for SUNSET BLVD., not STALAG 17. But don't get me wrong. He's very effective here as the man everyone in the prison camp thinks is the "stoolie" who is getting favors from the Germans because he's a thief and a snitch.
Holden plays the role without any redeeming character traits other than as a man looking out solely for himself. Most of the time he's quick with a cynical one-liner or smirks rather condescendingly at the foibles of his fellow prisoners. And always, he's on his guard because he knows he's got to look out for the real mastermind hiding among them.
The suspense comes from wondering when the real villain will be unmasked. And how. And along with this suspense, there's a lot of dark humor and rowdy laughter, particularly when the men are hellbent on enjoying whatever freedoms they have.
It's a taut exercise in suspense laced with humor throughout. As the prison warden, OTTO PREMINGER is almost a caricature of a German soldier, but PETER GRAVES is very effective as the security officer who keeps a low profile.
The ending is very effective, with an unexpected twist, and the final impression is one of a strong prison drama enacted superbly by its all male cast, thanks to the solid direction of Billy Wilder.