Rating: 
Summary: One star to far.
Review: They made a movie called a bridge to far, about a military objective that was just to far behind the lines for the mission to be successful... one bridge to far. This movie was one movie star to many.This was a hughly hyped movie in its day with a hugh cast of stars and a big budget. But when they started to write the script so that all the stars had their shining moments the director found it impossible to trim the fat without going to war with one high priced talent or another. The result for me was a movie that was at least 30 percent longer than it needed to be and still be entertaining. I know I see a lot of 5 star reviews here, and there were truly a lot of 5 star moments. There were also to many 1 star moments and this averaged out to 3 stars for me, rounding up for the cool Steve McQ motorcycle chase.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply awful
Review: This movie is so bad, I have no words for it. It has plenty of character actors. yet not one shred of realism.The German war camp is seen as so relaxed, it does not even make sense that anyone would try to escape from it. The reality of WW2 is, many POWs fared far better than those who were not captured. Many US troops were killed in combat during incredibly risky, almost suicidal missions, while the top brass like Eisenhower stayed back in England and had sexual affairs. In this movie, those that do escape from it are given extremely lenient punishment--something that never would have happened in reality--if you were caught escaping from a german POW camp, you were shot on the spot--no hang dog look, give me my baseball glove and take me to solitary garbage! The movie is "classic" 60's male bonding stuff, with all the guys getting together for this escape--too bad it is utterly lacking in tension or reality (or engineering sense, or human nature etc etc). For a good WW2 movie, try " A Midnight Clear", "Bridge on the River Kwai", "von ryans express". This movie is so bad, I am embarrassed to own it on dvd.
Rating: 
Summary: Great!!
Review: GREAT!!! Wonderful!! The Best!!! One of the best War Movies of all times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Love it. Love it. Love it.
Review: Fantastic movie. Fantastic transfer.
This is one of the greatest movies of all time. Packed with stars -- Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, James Garner, Donald Pleasance, Richard Attenborough, James Coburn and more -- this film ranks is a tremendous achievement.
Dramatic and suspenseful with wonderful moments of humor, the film offers something for everyone. Anyone who doesn't like this movie is the kind of person who would step on kittens.
The sound is excellent, as far as it goes. It makes the jump to digital format well, but if you are expecting the thundering bass or deafening surround sound of a Jerry Bruckheimer film, you'll be disappointed. But if you want a wonderful movie and a wonderful (and somewhat true) story. Buy this DVD.
Rating: 
Summary: Patriotic story based on fact. But too sanitized and unreal.
Review: This 1963 film is based on a true story of an escape attempt by 250 prisoners from a German prison camp during WW2. Most of them are British, but there's a few Americans too. It's an intriguing film, and it held my attention for the full 172 minutes. In addition, I even watched a 24 minute documentary about the making of the film. All this kept me up way past my bedtime. Now I wonder if it was worth it. The film sure does have star power: Steve McQueen as the American rebel, James Garner as a downed airman, Richard Attenborough as the British commander who oversees the project, Charles Bronson as one of the men who digs the tunnel and then has a panic attack when he has to flee, James Coburn as one of the soldiers, and Donald Pleasence as the man who forges papers. It's an organized and disciplined group. Everything is well thought through. They even have one of their fellow prisoners tailoring their uniforms into civilian clothes. The music, by Elmer Bernstein is notable. It's upbeat and pleasant and patriotic. In fact, the whole film is designed to show the ingenuity of the allies and the stupidity of the Germans. It also seems quite sanitized. The prisoners have spare but adequate bunks, with some of them having rooms that are so private that they can store contraband food and make tea. They are all brave and courageous and smart and have a sense of humor. They rarely, if ever, show fear or lose faith. And they are never ever beaten or tortured. The only person ever punished is Steve McQueen who keeps attempting to escape but is brought back and thrown into solitary confinement. Funny thing is that he's allowed to take a baseball glove and softball into the prison cell and can make cheery conversation with the man in the next cell. Even though I know that the story is based on fact, it never seemed real to me. It was just too lightweight, even though the ending isn't a happy one. I never felt any real emotion even though I did wonder what would happen next and admired the grit and gumption of the men. Too bad it all seemed like a fairytale.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping Tale of a
Review: After more than a decade of trying to get a studio to film a movie based on Paul Brickhill's book "The Great Escape," John Sturges finally got backing from the Mirisch Company to recreate the true-life story of Allied officers escaping from a German POW camp in 1944. While the screenplay by W. Burnett and James (Shogun) Clavell fictionalizes the characters and compresses time to fit a feature film's running time, the details of the escape attempt are true-to-life. Even better, the film was actually shot in Germany (even the thickest wooded areas in California don't come close to resembling the Black Forest area). Not only does Germany look like Germany, but the availability of WWII-era vehicles and uniforms make the authenticity more palpable. Also helpful in the success of The Great Escape is the cast. Although the DVD artwork features the late Steve McQueen on its cover (and McQueen's contribution IS quite large, especially in the now-famous motorcycle chase, where McQueen did most of the real driving, since he was famous for his love of 'cycles and fast cars!), Sturges' movie is an ensemble movie. It's hard to remember, especially in the post-Vietnam era, that there was a period when war movies had all-star casts (The Longest Day is perhaps the best-known of these, and the trend continued -- even as viewership declined -- with such films as Tora! Tora! Tora!...Midway (a really bad film, by the way)...and ending with the well-made but poorly-received A Bridge Too Far). The Great Escape not only reunited director-producer with Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn (whom he'd directed in The Magnificent Seven); it also features the talents of Donald Pleasence, James Garner, David McCallum and Richard Attenborough (who would later go on to direct A Bridge Too Far and Gandhi). Also reuniting with Sturges was composer Elmer Bernstein, who had scored The Magnificent Seven three years previously. Bernstein's main theme is pretty catchy and still holds up well in these John Williams and James Horner-dominated years. The DVD itself is pretty standard. The image is a bit grainy but it's not too distractingly so. It also includes the theatrical trailer and a short "making of" featurette. And why did Sturges have such a hard time selling this now-classic film to major studios? Get this: Studio heads thought the subject matter was too depressing (most of the escaping POWs were recaptured, and 50 were shot on Hitler's personal orders), and there was no female romantic lead!
Rating:
Summary: Best WWII POW Movie of all time.
Review: First off let me say this DVD isn't the best quality DVD. It is acceptable though. The cheap price makes it a for sure worthy purchase though. This is such a superb movie that I wish they would give it the full treatment. Documentaries with the stars while they are still alive (those that are) and hopefully past interviews witht those that have passed. The movie. Awesome. Huge allstar cast. Basically True story. Steve Mcqueen on a motorcycle (some people thought he did all his stunts but he didn't) doing many of the stunts. This is a compilation of true escape stories condensed into one movie and story. It's like it says. Great.
Rating:
Summary: This Film Will Live Forever
Review: This is one of the greatest movies of all time. This is primarily because it is basically a true story. The cast was superb. Although it is based on a book by Paul Brickhill, a better book about the true story was written in recent years called the Longest Tunnel by Alan Burgess who was a prisoner in the camp. Certain liberties were taken about the story, such as the fact that the captured escapees were not all murdered together as is shown in the film. Certain "Hollywood" style incidents such as the Steve McQueen adventure on the motorcycle were added to increase the excitement (as if the true story wasn't exciting enough!) but the basic details of the escape are shown as they really occurred, such as the placement of the trap doors to the tunnels, the fact that the exit was short of the woods, the technical details of the digging of the tunnels, the dispersal of the dirt, the blackmailing of the guards, and so on.
One reviewer complained about the humor in the film, but these incidents really happened. It was also important psychologically for the prisoners to try to maintain their sense of humor in the long years of captivity in order retain their sanity in the depressing conditions of the prison camp. Get this film in order to see the human spirit at its best.
Rating:
Summary: The King of Cool..is..."The Cooler" King.....
Review: This review refers to the MGM DVD edition of "The Great Escape"... It's not just the escape that's great about this film, everything about it is great. The actors portraying the real life characters, director John Sturges recreating meticulously the atmosphere, location and attitudes of the WWII POW's, the script by James Clavell and W.R. Burnett, the photography and probably most of all the musical score. Elmer Bernstein created a score that is a huge part of this film as it adds to the feeling of the events and one that will stay with you and you will always associate with this film. Allied POWs had one duty during their stay as captives. It was to try to escape. This was an important responsibilty, as it would keep numerous German soldiers hunting them down and off the battlefield. Many prisoners were real good at their job, and a special prison camp was built just to house these professional escapees. "Stalag Luft III" would be the most heavily guarded camp and "There will be no escape!" But no amount of guards and wire could diminish the spirit of these prisoners. Together they plan and execute the most intricate, daring and largest escape yet. The real life soldiers who attempted this escape did exactly as planned. They kept the guards and soldiers busy, and it cost many of them their lives, as the Germans were so exasperated with them, that they executed 50 who were caught. But some did survive to tell this tale. Steve McQueen leads this exciting cast as one of three Americans involved. He is Hilts, "The Cooler King", nicknamed this because he made several daring attempts of escape on his own and was always caught and spent much of his prison time in "The Cooler". But his escapades actually were a big help to the operation as it kept the guards busily looking for him while the others planned and prepared an escape for 250 men. Some of the colorful and daring real life heroes of this story you'll meet are "The Scrounger", played by James Garner who brings his wonderful charms to the screen, as he secures the team with any neccessary items that they may need. Where does he get all the goodies? "Well..let's just say they're on loan." Donald Pleasence is the mild mannered "Forger". Naturally he is real handy for all ID's they will need once the escape is made. "The Tunnel King" is played brillantly by Charles Bronson.He is the expert in digging tunnels, but also has a bit of a problem with being confined. The great Richard Attenborough is just that..great, as he portrays "Big X", the mastermind of the plan.Also adding their talents are James Coburn, David McCallum, James Donald and Hannes Messemer as "The Kommandant." It's beautifully filmed in widescreen. It has many poignant moments as well as great action and tense drama, and even a little humor(Supplied by those crazy Americans). An amazing motorcycle chase scene with Steve McQueen(of course), is one of the highlights. A great film that gives us a great look at these historical moments of WWII. It is based on book by Paul Bruckhill, one of the actual members of the escape team. The film is 5 stars on it's own. The DVD is a pretty good transfer in general. As mentioned above it is in widescreen, and has a nice picture overall. It's not as clear and sharp as others of the same era, but a nice view, with good color. The sound however, needs a little work(my only reason for 4 stars for this package). Although it is in Dolby Digital,and the dialouge is nice and clear, it doesn't seem to be in any kind of surround sound. With all the great action and music this is a must for this DVD transfer. Still, very much worth the view and even owning this DVD until something better comes along. The DVD includes a Documentary on the "Making of The Great Escape", that contains information provided by many involved with the film, including one of the actual survivors who worked on the set, making sure that everything "Felt" right. It comes with an informative booklet and may be viewed in French and has subtitles in English, French and Spanish. I would reccommend it to anyone who enjoys a great war story. This one is right up there with such classics as "Stalag 17". At a running time of nearly 3 hours, you will actually be wishing there was even more. Oh and by the way Director John Sturges and Composer Elmer Bernstien had previously collaborated on "The Magnificent Seven". So if you haven't seen this one yet, you know your in for some great stuff! Enjoy...Laurie
Rating:
Summary: A prisoner of war great
Review: The Great Escape is known by many as the movie that skyrocketed Steve McQueen to the top. While McQueen's part as Hilts, the cooler king, is one of his best, there are so many other things that make this movie great. It tells the story of a prison break from a German prisoner of war camp deep in the heart of Germany. The movie is divided into two parts; the first being the prisoners digging the tunnels and then the last hour focuses on the mass escape by 76 prisoners. There is plenty of excitement throughout even while the prisoners are still trapped behind the barbed wire fences. The movie really picks up as it follows the different attempts at escaped by numerous characters. Also joining McQueen are James Garner, Charles Bronson, Richard Attenborough, James Coburn, James Donald, John Leyton, Donald Pleasence and numerous others. McQueen does steal the show as he guns his motorcycle across Germany and then his famous jump over the barbed wire fence. Equally good in this movie is the soundtrack by Elmer Bernstein which will stick in your head for days after you watch the movie. The DVD offers an excellent widescreen presentation with the theatrical trailer and a 24 minute documentary on the making of the movie. A true classic with an excellent cast and story that ranks just a little better than Bridge on the River Kwai as best prisoner of war movie ever.
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