Wolff rating: UNSURPASSED
Plot summary: True-to-life story of officers in German P.O.W. camp trying nearly anything to get away from their captors.
Biased, pithy comments: What can you say about this film? Authentic down to the knotty-pine construction and the height of the claustrophobic tunnel, this movie epitomizes the best of the 60s World War II films. McQueen, Garner, and Attenborough fit into their parts so well it hurts, and even my wife (who normally doesn't watch war films unless I make her) was shouting ``Oh no!'' at the reverses. Effortless at 3 hours. Music by Elmer Bernstein is awesome. See this film.
Other Notes: Very much true to life. Pleasence was a real P.O.W. during World War II, and he said the sets were so accurate it made him afraid all over again. Spawned ``Hogan's Heroes,'' a comic knockoff of this film.
How many times I have seen it: x2
Starring: Steven McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bornson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn.
Directed by: John Sturges