The Great Escape (1963, rewatch): An entertaining classic

The Great Escape, 1963, directed by John Sturges, Criterion blu-ray (2020), 3.5 stars.

I've never been much on war films, period pieces, historical dramas and the like. But I do like to get out of my comfort zone and visit with the classics now and again.

I first saw The Great Escape about 20 years ago, with a DVD blind buy, and I enjoyed it quite a bit -- especially the Steve McQueen motorcycle chase through the German countryside. This was my second time watching the film.

It's a pretty entertaining epic based on a book about a group of British airmen who tunneled out of a German POW camp during World War II. I gather the historical accuracy of the event is questionable, heavily reframed to appeal to American audiences.

But I'm not concerned about all that. Taken on its own terms, this movie is a fine way to spend about three hours.

The ensemble cast is loaded with recognizable faces -- McQueen and James Garner stand out. We also get a look at Charles Bronson, David McCallum, Donald Pleasence and James Coburn. Richard Attenborough, whom I only really knew as a pretty good director, is here playing a key role.

Thumbs-up from me for a movie that isn't really in my wheelhouse. If wartime action dramas are more your thing than mine, I'm guessing you would really love this one. Check it out.  

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