We Root For The Heros To Victory

Rating: Null/10 (22 June 2006)

THE GREAT ESCAPE ***** If ever there was a movie where the viewer roots for the heroic characters to victory, it would be 'The Great Escape'. Memorably created based on the true event, it's setting is in Germany at a concentration camp during the Second World War, where Allied soldiers are held and monitored very carefully by The Nazis. The story begins with the captive soldiers grouping together to carry out a plan of escape - that is, 'The Great Escape'. The tactics involved are engineered by three of the soldiers: the Master of Intelligence (Richard Attenborough) and assistants Steve McQuinn and James Garner. They build an underground tunnel that travels past the vicinity of the camp, and even though some of the heroes escape, what the viewer discovers is that fleeing from the prison is one thing, but evading all of the German soldiers throughout the country from which point is another thing! While the introduction contributes comic humor, the second and third act features excellent suspense. This is a definite renown classic with a winning ensemble cast, solid scripting, good score from Elmer Bernstein, and particularly memorable supporting appearances by Donald Pleasance and Angus Lennie.