The Great Escape, hailed by fans and critics as one of the "greatest ever made," airs tonight on BBC4 at 8pm. The 1963 film draws from a harrowing true story from World War Two.
A Stellar Cast and True Story
The film features a stellar ensemble of 1960s Hollywood icons, including Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough. It is adapted from Paul Brickhill's 1950 book and directed by John Sturges.
The story chronicles Allied Prisoners of War who repeatedly broke out of German camps during World War Two, culminating in their final dramatic escape attempt. The prisoners are transferred to a new facility overseen by Luftwaffe Colonel von Luger, where several attempt to flee on their first day but are recaptured.
Authenticity and Critical Praise
Remarkably, actor Donald Pleasence, who was held in a POW camp during the war, contributed his experiences to ensure historical authenticity. Upon release, The Great Escape became one of that year's highest-grossing pictures and received a single Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing, which it did not win.
The film holds an impressive 94 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One critic said: "This is one of the all-time great war movies, a PoW adventure from director John Sturges that celebrates the indomitable spirit of the Allied forces even when their backs were to the wall."
Audience Reactions
Viewers have also praised the film. One wrote: "Arguably the most influential prison break movies of all time... The cast is great. The film is iconic for Steve McQueen's huge motorcycle jump." Another added: "Classic and epic movie. Stellar cast all excels in character. Amazing that it all happened and that the movie runs parallel with the original book by Paul Brickhill."
The Great Escape airs on BBC4 at 8pm tonight.
