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Classic Movie Review: “The Great Escape” (1963) directed by John Sturges

By on November 12, 2012
Dan Walker On Film
From time to time, Dan will look back at some classic and landmark films from the past. Thanks to modern technology they are only as far away as your Netflix account, Amazon.com or the local revival house. Thanks to digital restoration, they often look better than they did when they first appeared,… and thanks to the original artistry better than what’s appearing at the cineplex this week. Here is the first in that series. TG

THE GREAT ESCAPE (1963)

Director:

John Sturges (“The Magnificent Seven”, “Ice Station Zebra”)

 

Cast:

Steve McQueen (“The Magnificent Seven”, “The Sand Pebbles”, “Bullitt”, “Papillion”)

James Garner (“Sayonara”, “The Americanization of Emily”, “Victor Victoria”)

Richard Attenborough (“The Flight of the Phoenix”, “The Sand Pebbles”, “A Bridge Too Far”, “Jurassic Park”)

Charles Bronson (“The Magnificent Seven”, “The Dirty Dozen”, “The Mechanic”, “Death Wish”)

Donald Pleasence (“Fantastic Voyage”, “Will Penny”, “THX 1138”, “Halloween”)

James Coburn (“The Magnificent Seven”, “Charade”, “The Americanization of Emily”, the Flint movies, Best Supporting Oscar for “Affliction”)

 

Our local multiplex plays a different classic every Wednesday and I lucked into “The Great Escape” this week.  I’d never seen it before.  I watched it immediately after watching “Wreck-It Ralph”, which was like savoring a great multi-course meal after force-feeding myself trendy sweet candy because it was the only thing in front of me at the time.

The picture’s title is apt in more ways than one.  Everything about this movie was just great, a welcome break from current movies, which themselves are escapism.  Even with the intensity of the story, there was something comforting about the film’s look, feel and amazingly familiar cast.  I felt myself decompress immediately as it started, really anticipating the viewing.

The moviemaking and storytelling are solid and let the actors shine.  Steve McQueen, macho and cool, is clearly the star and you get the impression it was in his contract to do his own motorcycle riding, lending realism to a very realistic movie.  James Garner is, as he always is, effortlessly charismatic, the embodiment of the phrase ‘comfortable in his own skin.’

I didn’t recognize Sir Richard Attenborough until the movie was over but he was great ( I need to work on synonyms for “really good”).  Donald Pleasance had one of the best roles and played it beautifully and — in light of his character’s rapidly deteriorating sight — with unwavering dignity.  James Coburn, who I always remember from “Our Man Flint” and “In Like Flint”, was initially distracting because of his terrible Australian accent but he was so colorful with his tall and lanky hip persona it ultimately doesn’t matter.  (I love the fact ‘Flint’ became an Oscar-winner 30 years later.) Charles Bronson was an even stronger and more rugged presence than in his later movies.  The believably vulnerable moments when he expresses his fear of tight places made his character well-rounded, and you really sympathized with him.

“The Great Escape” was suspenseful, humorous and extremely involving.  I really felt a loss when any of the escapees died.  The European backdrops were beautiful and offset the film’s life-and-death drama.  The sight of Switzerland inspired hope and made freedom seem within grasp. The camp, tunnel and supporting characters were authentic.  The style of the filmmaking seemed dated — but only for the first few minutes. I became completely immersed and loved every one of its 172 minutes.  (I wonder if people who worked on movies before ending credits ran the length of an entire song or concert overture resented not being recognized. Today even the guy driving the catering truck gets a nod. )

I left the theatre already anticipating a second viewing and wishing my dad had taken me to see it during its original run.  I was an Air Force brat and saw a number of movies I probably wasn’t supposed to at a very tender age (“Barry Lyndon”, “The Charge of the Light Brigade” come to mind).

After seeing “The Great Escape” and “Skyfall” within days of each other, I came up with the following equation with regards to screen presence:

              Steve McQueen + Charles Bronson = Daniel Craig

Dan

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3 comments on “Classic Movie Review: “The Great Escape” (1963) directed by John Sturges”

  1. DberNY on said:

    The review caught my eye as it described one of my favorite movies from long ago, capturing everything positive as I remember. This movie is pure adventure as Dan writes providing characters that truly share the experience. You are in the tunnel! You feel Donald Pleasence’s disappointment! Thanks Dan!

    Reply ↓
  2. Bernard Dion on said:

    It’s very rare that I want to see a movie a second time. I have seen “The Great Escape” at least 4 or 5 times. Each actor makes an unforgettable contribution, the writers and the director and even the cinematographer ALSO make unforgettable contribution.
    It might not be highbrow art but to me, it is one of the 10 best ever movies.
    And about the final equation of the review. What a great insight ! I totally agree.

    Reply ↓

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