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The Great Escape (1963)

Allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II.

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Writers:

(book), (screenplay) | 1 more credit »
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1,374 ( 149)
Top Rated Movies #127 | Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 2 wins & 9 nominations. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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Robert Graf ...
Werner 'The Ferret'
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Storyline

Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist-type prisoners-of-war (POWs) are all put in an 'escape proof' camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the film is played for comedy as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use boats and trains and planes to get out of occupied Europe. Written by John Vogel <[email protected]>

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

From a barbed-wire camp to a barbed-wire country, they made... [The Great Escape] See more »


Certificate:

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Parents Guide:

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Details

Country:

Language:

| | | |

Release Date:

4 July 1963 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

Ha-Briha Ha-Gdola  »

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Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$11,744,471, 31 December 1963
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

Production Co:

,  »
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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

(Westrex Recording System)|

Color:

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1
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Did You Know?

Trivia

The tunnel sets were were constructed of wood and skins filled with plaster and dirt and open on one side with a dolly track running the length of the set in order to shoot scenes of prisoners scooting along through them. See more »

Goofs

When one of the officers has his papers checked on the train, the Germans say Danke to him , and he replies "Danke" when this should have been Bitte. See more »

Quotes

Stratwitch: What are you doing over here by the wire?
Hilts: Well, like I told Max here, I was trying to get my...
German Soldier: [Voice] Achtung!
[Von Luger enters]
Von Luger: What were you doing by the wire?
Hilts: Well, like I told Max... I was trying to cut my way through your wire because I want to get out.
See more »

Connections

Spoofed in Charlie's Angels (2000) See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

 
Great Escape,Great movie
25 December 2005 | by See all my reviews

This must be my favorite movie of all times. Having seen it for the first time,in I guess 1987,a BBC Christmas broadcast,I was captivated by this brilliant piece of work. In the years after,I probably have seen it a "million" times,owning it on VHS and DVD,and still watching,whenever it is broadcast,in the original language. Why is it so great? This is a movie that keeps you locked to the screen,because it has everything a great movie should have. A great story,a good length,tension,it is a WW2 movie and the actors give top performances.Not just Steve McQueen,although his performance is brilliant,but also James Garner,James Coburn,Richard Attenborough,Charles Bronson and in this film,one of the greatest roles Donald Pleasance,playing the forger. It isn't historically accurate,please read the book by Paul Brickhill,but that doesn't matter a bit. This film gives you an image of POW camp,the prisoners and their guards,the Germans are also played brilliantly by German actors. I will not repeat the story here,but I can tell you,this film will capture you,all the characters are portrayed brilliantly by the actors. There is excitement,humor,tension,drama and emotion. See it,you will not regret it.


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