What's this about?

Lately, it seems like many of the movies/shows are just a rehash or reboot of things that have already been done. And so I started to dive into the past. It's been fun, but I find myself losing track of which ones I’ve seen and whether or not I enjoyed them. Sometimes the titles themselves just don't tell me enough to remember.

I wouldn’t have voluntarily watched a lot of these movies when I was younger. It’s strange how interests change. That goes for what I read, too. I have another blog that explores books. I’m mostly reading older fiction and memoirs, and some of the books have led me to movies/shows and vice versa. In those cases, I may post the book review over here as well.

There will be spoilers, which is different than my book reviews. That’s mostly because I want to have enough information to help me remember what I’ve seen. I’m getting older. The brain doesn’t cooperate like it used to. What can I say? The gray hairs are catching up with me!

Tuesday, November 4, 2025

The Great Escape - 1963

I've been meaning to watch this movie for the longest time, but the length of it was a serious consideration. It's also one of those movies I feel like I need to be in the mood for.

This movie is based on the true story of an organized breakout from Stalag III during WWII. The Germans are tired of POWs breaking out, and their brilliant plan is to put them all in the same camp and to keep track of them. Not surprisingly, the men immediately start to plan an escape.

I'm not going to mention much more of the plot. It's an escape movie. It's not 100% accurate by any means, but there are places it got things right. Three men escaped, and fifty were executed (just not in the way portrayed). The three tunnels were named Tom, Dick and Harry, but the locations were different. The Americans were involved in helping with the setup for the escape, but they were moved from the camp before the attempt. The motorcycle chase never happened (shocking!).

I kept thinking parts of this movie felt familiar, but I know I've never seen it before. I tried to think if maybe my dad had it on TV, but I can't be sure. I don't think I'm mixing it up with Stalag 17. I also tried to check and see if I'd already read the book, but I don't have a review for it, either. I have no idea!

I did like this movie, and I want to read more now. Two of the three escapees wrote memoirs, and I'm going to keep and eye out for those as well as the Paul Brickhill book that collected stories and tells his side of helping with the setup. He was unable to participate in the escape due to fear that his claustrophobia would affect the mission, so he helped in other ways.

Either way you look at it, this was a bold move made by many men. The cost wasn't measured in money, but in lives. Was it worth it to risk so many lives to set three free? I don't want to speak for the men, but since they worked so hard to get out, they knew those risks, and they were prepared to take them. It was a good movie, and now I'm adding to my pile of things I want to read...again. One thing about it - I'll never be at a loss for something to read! Good Movie!

Side Note: It was nice to see Donald Pleasence in a role other than a villain for once. I'm not sure I've seen that before!

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