More than 70 years after its release, the 1953 war film Stalag 17 continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest movies ever made. Directed and produced by Billy Wilder, the film is an adaptation of the Broadway play of the same name, written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski, who drew from their own experiences as prisoners in Stalag 17B in Austria.
A Story of Suspense and Survival
The film follows a group of American airmen held in a German prisoner-of-war camp. After two prisoners are shot dead during an escape attempt, suspicion arises that one of the inmates is a spy for the Germans. All eyes fall on Sgt. Sefton, played by William Holden, who trades with guards for luxuries. To clear his name, Sefton must uncover the real traitor.
Holden won an Academy Award for his performance, joined by a stellar cast including Don Taylor, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Peter Graves, Neville Brand, Richard Erdman, Sig Ruman, and Otto Preminger. Strauss and Lembeck also appeared in the original Broadway production.
Critical Acclaim and Legacy
Stalag 17 holds a 91% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising Billy Wilder's direction and the darkly humorous script. Variety ranked it number one in their list of "The 30 Greatest War Films."
Audiences have also lauded the film. One Rotten Tomatoes user called it "one of THE best war movies of all time." Another said, "This is a masterpiece of craft—screenwriting, casting, performances, directing... just wow." A third viewer described it as "one of the most memorable movies of all time."
Stalag 17 is available for purchase on YouTube for streaming.
