The Great Escape (1963)

While they remain a staple of award season (the late fall and early winter), it's surprising to see a big budget military drama hit theaters in summer, during the height of blockbusters. Then again Christopher Nolan isn't one to adhere to Hollywood norms. Enter Dunkirk, a fact-based film about the famous evacuation of Allied troops from the French coast city. Its a risky move, though the early reviews are good, but not outside Hollywood precedent. In fact, Dunkirk's subject matter reminded me of another blockbuster WWII film starring the legendary Steve McQueen: 1963's The Great Escape.

In 1943, the German high command has grown weary of spending time, troops, and resources to track down escaped Allied prisoners. Determined to curb this problem and reinvigorate the German war effort, a new escape proof prisoner has been built to house the Allies most troublesome POWs. Though the initial escape attempts falter, the newly arrived commander known as Big X gives the frustrated soldiers a new goal: the largest escape ever attempted.

Like many studio films of its era, The Great Escape has a number of traits that might make it difficult for a modern audience. There are glaring shifts in tone from comedic to tragic, the film's run time is pretty excessive at almost three hours, and some of the events within the film feel a little too chummy for a war drama (especially between captive and captors). That said, there's plenty about the film to recommend.

A Stacked Cast At The Height of Their Powers

It's almost impossible to think of a modern film, minus the modern Ocean's movies, to get this many famous faces into one film, let alone have them play to their strengths. Richard Attenborough brings in the signature English stoicism and sense of duty as Big X. James Garner and James Coburn turn in work as the team's big time charmers and giants with hearts of gold. Charles Bronson gets a more nuanced turn than expected as a tunneler with claustrophobia and Halloween's Donald Pleasance gives a heart-breaking turn as a forger who's losing his sight. And since each of these character's has a definitive role in the escape we get a variety of unexpected team ups and relationships we wouldn't expect otherwise. There is one person I'm leaving out though.

An Iconic Steve McQueen Character

Steve McQueen is the reason people remember this movie. While the rest of the would-be escapees are all well-defined, McQueen walks into the film like a movie star walking on set and owns every bit of screentime they give him. He's brash, confident in the face of resistance, resourceful, incapable of being broken....and that's before he picks up the motorcycle that he himself rides. From his first frame McQueen embodies his "King of Cool" persona to perfection and the movie is all the better for it.

Emphasizes the Importance of Camaraderie, Icons, and Resistance without Mythologizing

Even in the sixties, most films about WWII were largely romanticized portrayals about meaningful sacrifice and doing the right thing in the face of a determined enemy. So how does a POW film make an impact? By emphasizing the human element.

Though it seems obvious that POWs would want to escape, and doing so assists the Allied war effort by tying up German resources (even if they don't make it home), the true purpose of the camp's escape plans is far simpler: it gives them purpose.

As captured soldiers they have seemingly lost their ability to fight, control their own actions, and to some extent, exist. Without hope or an obtainable final goal, it would be very easy for the soldiers to become despondent and even suicidal (as we see when one man has been thwarted too many times). The big plan means they'll work as unit with purpose, development friendships, resist (as is their duty as soldiers), and gives them something to strive for.

The movie also demonstrates how big personalities can impact those around them. For many of the men the arrival of Big X gives them direction and leadership, while the legend of McQueen's "Cooler King,"  based on his unflappable nature even after his perpetual capture, gives them an icon to root for, even if they are afraid to do what he does. There might be some modern lessons there.

While undoubtedly a product of its era, The Great Escape's rich characters and strong performances carry it through. Check it out.