SVS: “The Great Escape”

Colonel Von Luger, it is the sworn duty of all officers to try to escape. If they cannot escape, then it is their sworn duty to cause the enemy to use an inordinate number of troops to guard them, and their sworn duty to harass the enemy to the best of their ability.

A few months back, I recommended one of my favorite homage films of all time: Aardman Animation’s Chicken Run, which was streaming on Netflix. (Still is, actually). Yet I was saddened, because the film it was so cleverly and lovingly homaging, John Sturges’ The Great Escape, was not easily available for streaming. (Yes, yes, I know. FWP. But the struggle is real…ish.)

Happily, our long national nightmare is over, because The Great Escape is streaming on NETFLIX INSTANT. And can be rented from any number of places, including YOUTUBE($) and AMAZON INSTANT($).

This epic adventure centers on an audacious plan by Allied officers to stage a massive breakout from an ostensibly escape-proof German prison camp.

Come for Steve McQueen, if you wish, but stay for the fantastic (and huge) cast, the tension-filled storytelling, and Elmer Bernstein’s unforgettable score. And also Steve McQueen. Because Hilts is awesome.

In fact, this is one of those films that is so chock-full of great moments, it’s hard to pick one out from among the sea of excellence. So I’m not even really going to try. Let’s just say that it has every right to be as famous as it is.

It’s 172 minutes long, though, so you’ll need to carve out some time. But it’s worth it. (Also, WOW! Just under three hours??? It does not feel like that. Which might be the finest testament to Sturges’ abilities I can offer. Other than to remind everyone that he made The Magnificent Seven.)

HILTS: Wait a minute. You aren’t seriously suggesting that if I get through the wire… and case everything out there… and don’t get picked up… to turn myself in and get thrown back in the cooler for a couple of months so you can get the information you need?

BARTLETT: Yes.

Attribution(s): All posters, publicity images, and stills are the property of United Artists/MGM and other respective production studios and distributors, and are intended for editorial use only.