One Of The Best "Caper" Films Of All-Time!

Rating: 9/10 (4 March 2017)

Film-making in the 1960s was a different exercise than it is today. It was more about "putting on a good show" and appealing to a wide audience instead of focusing on certain key groups. Back then, families went to movies together as "outings" and the movies were required to play as such. Sometimes, this leads to strange casting and watered-down plots. Other times, you get a movie like "The Great Escape", which combines perfect characters, music, and an intriguing plot to produce a masterpiece of its time.
For a basic plot summary, "The Great Escape" is set at a Nazi prisoner-of-war camp where all the "break-out artists" are holed up together. Eluding the eyes and ears of the guards, the inmates start to work on getting out. Bartlett (Richard Attenborough) is the ring-leader, while other key roles are played by Steve McQueen, James Garner, Donald Pleasance, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and James Donald. To say anything more about the plot would be to give away too many key details.
This movie is such a classic because it does so many things right, including:
-Some of the best acting performances ever assembled in a single picture. Not a single scene is wasted due to all the on-screen talent. -Despite the tense setting, a sense of humor shines through (mainly coming from McQueen's character). -A plot that will have you on the edge of your seat. You can instantly identify with the characters, so you find yourself rooting for them as the escape plan builds and builds. -Not being predictable. You will think you know how this movie is going to end, but it throws you enough curveballs to always keep you off-balance.
For a nearly three hour movie, "The Great Escape" never seems to lag or get boring whatsoever. It also features a score that contains a tune you will be whistling for days afterward. Basically, it is the type of movie where everything (cast, music, plot, direction) comes together for a perfect storm of film-making. If you are sometimes wary of WWII capers or older movies in general, do not let that stop you from watching this one. It is one of the best.