The Great Escape (1963 Film)

Overview

• Type: American epic historical war adventure film
• Release Dates: June 20, 1963 (London), July 4, 1963 (USA)
• Running Time: 172 minutes
• Language: English, German, French
• Budget: $3.8 million
• Box Office: $11.7 million
• Director: John Sturges
• Production Company: The Mirisch Company
• Distributor: United Artists
• Based On: Paul Brickhill's non-fiction book "The Great Escape"

Plot Summary

• Setting: 1943, German POW camp Stalag Luft III
• Main Characters:
  • Captain Virgil Hilts: Frequent escapee, known as "The Cooler King"
  • Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley: "The Scrounger", an American RAF officer
  • Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett: "Big X", the escape committee leader
  • Flight Lieutenant Danny Welinski: "Tunnel King", claustrophobic despite experience
  • Flight Lieutenant Colin Blythe: "The Forger", going blind
  • Flying Officer Sedgwick: "The Manufacturer", Australian officer
• The Escape Plan:
  • Three tunnels, "Tom", "Dick", and "Harry" are dug
  • Plan to escape 250 men
  • Challenges: discovery of tunnels, breakdowns, and setbacks
  • Outcome: 76 escape, 50 captured and executed, 3 successfully escape

Cast

• Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts
• James Garner as Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley
• Richard Attenborough as Roger Bartlett
• Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, among others

Production Details

• Screenplay: James Clavell, W. R. Burnett
• Music: Elmer Bernstein
• Notable Scenes: Motorcycle chase and jump scene

Historical Context and Accuracy

• Inspiration: True story of a mass escape from a German POW camp during WWII
• Changes for Film: American involvement exaggerated, additional fictional elements

Reception and Legacy

• Critical Acclaim: Considered a classic, praised for action and story
• Awards: Steve McQueen won Best Actor at Moscow International Film Festival
• Cultural Impact: Inspired various media and cultural references

Music

• Composer: Elmer Bernstein
• Popularity: Main theme has become iconic, especially in the UK

Legacy and Sequel

• Legacy: Celebrated for its depiction of ingenuity and bravery
• Sequel: "The Great Escape II: The Untold Story" released in 1988
• Cultural References: Featured in various other films and shows

Notable Production Facts

• Filming Locations: Bavaria Film Studio, Geiselgasteig, and surrounding Bavarian towns
• Technical Advisor: Wally Floody, a real escapee from the event

Use these notes to understand the film's background, major plot points, and its impact on culture and history. They summarize the main themes and facts about the production, characters, and historical basis of "The Great Escape."