‘Masterpiece’ war epic hailed by fans as a ‘perfect film’ streaming for free | Films | Entertainment
One of the greatest war films of all time, that is hailed by one fan as a “masterpiece”, is streaming for free in the UK. The Great Escape (1963) tells a highly fictionalised version of Allied troops’ attempts to escape from the real-life German prisoner of war camp Stalag Luft III in World War 2.
The ensemble cast includes an array of stars, including Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough, as well as James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, Hannes Messemer, David McCallum, Gordon Jackson, John Leyton and Angus Lennie. Directed by John Sturges, it’s widely considered an all-time classic, with one of the most recognisable scores in film history.
It was adapted from Paul Brickhill’s book of the same name, released in 1950.
Fans have showered the film with praise on IMDb, one of whom gave the film 10/10, writing: “I cannot dislike The Great Escape, with its great cast, anthem-like music score and of course its attention to detail.
“The film is brilliantly shot with beautiful cinematography, and of course the music score is great, very iconic.”
Another said: “The Great Escape should be a movie every one has seen. It’s the definitive P.O.W. movie — and all other films in the genre fail to compare.
They said the film has a “wonderful build-up, great middle, and a terrific ending”, calling it a “classic”.
A third added that they loved the film “right from the start”, and “I quite simply think it’s the best piece of cinematic action, adventure and display of comradeship that you can get”.
“From the opening establishing scene, to Steve McQueen’s quite infeasible but dead good bike jump, this film is a roller coaster ride of suspense, action and friendship which is both moving, funny and exciting,” they said, adding: “This film really is a cinematic masterpiece.”
A fourth said Sturges “outdid himself on this one”. “The Great Escape is what I would consider to be a perfect movie,” they added.
“Along with suspense, thrills, and some truly humorous moments, the film boasts a fabulous cast, a taut script, and a fine musical score. Steve McQueen’s motorcycle ride to freedom is absolutely classic.”
A fan writing on Medium called it “one of very few flawless films”. “It’s everything you’d want in a movie and the perfect film to send you down a rabbit hole searching for other classics that capture the same gratification,” they added.
The film has a PG certificate and contains mild violence, language, and injury detail.
The Great Escape is streaming now on BBC iPlayer.
