Ten, for the Bravest of the Men who Died Escaping

Rating: 10/10 (18 April 2011)

What makes this movie as one of the greatest epic movies was the true story, Steve Mcqueen,direction by Sturges and the stunt riding by Buddy Aikes (had a school for riding in San Fernando Valley) who was subbing for Mcqueen (Insurance would not allow Mcqueen to do the jump even though he was perfectly capable.) The same motorcycle was later ridden by Henry Winkler as Fonzi. "Shashank Redemption" was great escape movie but it was not during the war (courage of one man over many men) and it was based on Fiction. The fact this movie has stood the test of times because of the unsurpassed endurance, patriotism, ingenuity and positive spirit in the group of men for whom nothing was impossible. Even though this movie had no women (except in the train and public spaces) it was universally liked by men and women unlike other prison movies and all Nationalities. The only anti-climax is Hilts character played by Steve Mcqeen should have escaped (since 8 POW's did escape) since the saddest part was seeing him back in the "Cooler" (The Gestapo who shot the fifty men, were later hunted and killed by the British Intelligence and of course Germany lost the war.) I would love to see the 'Great Escape 2" by Judd Taylor.