The Great Escape: When “Sorry, Wrong Tunnel” Isn’t an Option

You know a movie’s going to be good when it opens with the Germans essentially creating their own all-star team of escape artists by putting all their most troublesome POWs in one camp. Talk about a self-fulfilling prophecy! Based on a true story from World War II, “The Great Escape” follows a group of Allied prisoners planning the mother of all prison breaks from a supposedly escape-proof German POW camp.

Enter Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough), nicknamed “Big X,” who’s basically the Steve Jobs of escape planning, minus the turtlenecks. His ambitious plan? Not just to get a few men out, but to orchestrate a mass exodus of 250 prisoners. The goal isn’t just escape – it’s to cause such massive disruption that the Germans will have to devote valuable resources to hunting them down. Now that’s what I call thinking big!

The plan involves not one, not two, but THREE tunnels (dubbed Tom, Dick, and Harry – because apparently “Eenie, Meenie, and Miney” were taken). The film introduces us to a fantastic ensemble cast, each with their own specialty. There’s Flight Lieutenant Danny Velinski (Charles Bronson), the “Tunnel King,” who can probably dig his way out of anything except a bad movie contract. Captain Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen), the “Cooler King,” spends so much time in solitary confinement he probably has his mail forwarded there. And let’s not forget Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley (James Garner), the “Scrounger,” who could probably get you a five-course meal in the middle of a desert.

The movie excels at showing the painstaking detail of the escape preparation. They’re not just digging tunnels; they’re running a full-scale underground operation (pun intended). The prisoners create a complete intelligence network, manufacture civilian clothes, forge documents, and even build a hidden railway system for removing dirt. It’s like watching a very serious episode of “MacGyver” set in the 1940s.

The actual escape sequence is a masterclass in suspense. After months of preparation, things naturally don’t go quite according to plan (because what fun would that be?). The tunnel comes up short of the woods, leading to one of the most nerve-wracking scenes as prisoners have to make breaks for it in full view of the guard towers. It’s like the world’s deadliest game of “Red Light, Green Light.”

The film then follows various escapees as they attempt to make their way through Nazi Germany. Some succeed, most don’t, and the film doesn’t shy away from showing the brutal consequences of the escape attempt. The famous motorcycle chase scene with Steve McQueen (actually performed by both McQueen and stunt rider Bud Ekins) is pure Hollywood additions to the true story, but it’s so incredibly cool that we’ll give them a pass.

The Verdict

“The Great Escape” is that rare breed of war film that manages to be both entertaining and respectful of its serious subject matter. Director John Sturges strikes a perfect balance between showing the ingenuity and sometimes even humor of the prisoners while never letting us forget the deadly stakes of their endeavor.

What I Love:

• The phenomenal ensemble cast, each bringing their character to vivid life
• The meticulous attention to detail in showing the escape preparation
• Elmer Bernstein’s iconic and jaunty musical score that you’re probably humming right now
• The way the film builds tension gradually but relentlessly
• How it manages to inject moments of humor without undermining the gravity of the situation

What Could’ve Been Better:

• The 172-minute runtime might test some viewers’ patience (though I’d argue every minute is necessary)
• Some historical liberties taken, particularly with the American presence in the camp
• The motorcycle sequence, while awesome, is pure Hollywood fantasy

The film serves as both a testament to human ingenuity and determination, and a memorial to the real men who risked (and in many cases gave) their lives in the actual escape. It’s a perfect example of how to make an entertaining war film that doesn’t trivialize the actual history it’s based on.

If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for? But maybe don’t watch it right before a long flight – all that tunnel footage might make you a bit claustrophobic.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 dirt-filled trouser legs