The Great Escape

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The Great Escape

1963

2h 52m

War

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

94%

Tomatometer

50 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett. Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

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Critics Consensus

With its impeccably slow-building story and a cast for the ages, The Great Escape is an all-time action classic.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Dec 27, 2023

This star-laden real-life tale of teamwork and derring-do is a trifle flabby at nearly three hours, but there is no denying that this is one of the best loved of all Second World War films.

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Jamie Ludwig

Chicago Reader

Feb 21, 2019

For all its missteps, when it comes to escapism, intrigue, and indulgence, you could do a whole lot worse than The Great Escape. Just watch it with an open eye.

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Anthony Lane

The New Yorker

Apr 23, 2014

This is a Boys' Own Tale, and, as boys, we wanted it, cleansed of horrors, for ourselves.

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Olly Richards

Sunday Times (UK)

Sep 19, 2022

Steve McQueen turns his movie-star glint to maximum as the swaggering American Cooler King...

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Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

May 29, 2022

5/5

Even though the filmmakers make changes to benefit an American audience, the memory of the 50 executed airmen will never be forgotten.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Feb 17, 2022

4/4

Somehow, The Great Escape manages to mourn the dead and uphold a unified sense of defiance in the same movement.

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John Warner

Nov 9, 2025

It’s so cool seeing classic movies on the big screen. Had a fun time. Very nice and packed theater.

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Michael S

Oct 9, 2022

So great to see it again.

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Mate P

@matepolcz Oct 23, 2026

The Great Escape is epic, but it's missing a strong emotional connection. I liked the characters, their banter is pretty funny. The story is unpredictable and intriguing. The ending is surprising, but the emotions didn't kick in. That's what this film lacked for me. Other than that my only criticism is that it is too long. I think cutting 5-10 minutes could do wonders. The cinematography is precise with its composition, but what stands out to me are the landscape shots. They are so far from what we see in movies nowadays and I think the main reason is the film stock. Why don't they make stocks like this anymore? We don't always need sharp 4K. This is beautiful with all its "aberrations". The casting is fantastic and the restrained performances are great. The Great Escape is a classic for a reason, but for the two reasons mentioned, I can't give a higher score and it pains me that I'm giving it a lower score than average. Really strong 8/10 (close to 8.5).

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Venkanna K

@Venka3658 Oct 16, 2026

I watched this movie in 1977 when I was not learned English but understood almost all of it. It is a fantastic movie about a escape scene happened in WWII. However the movie does not show actually situations of war time but the depiction and drama played by the actors is very good. No ladies acted in this movie except extras shown in public area without dialogues. May be I have watched it 30+ times. Charles Bronson is very tough as an actor.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 3, 2026

This is one hell of a movie, even though one person was able to escape! Thus my five star rating

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Samuel P

@TheFabulousWatcher Jul 20, 2026

A must watch and thoroughly entertaining!

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John Sturges

Director

Steve McQueen

Capt. Hilts 'The Cooler King'

James Garner

Flight Lt. Hendley 'The Scrounger'

Richard Attenborough

Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett 'Big X'

Charles Bronson

Flight Lt. Danny Velinski 'The Tunnel King'

James Donald

Group Capt. Ramsey 'The SBO'

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Synopsis

Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw Nazi forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett. Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

Director: John Sturges
Producer: John Sturges, James Clavell
Screenwriter: Paul Brickhill, James Clavell, W. R. Burnett
Distributor: United Artists, Criterion Collection, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: Mirisch Company
Genre: War, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 4, 1963, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 30, 2016
Runtime: 2h 52m

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