The Nazis, exasperated at the number of escapes from their prison camps by a relatively small number of Allied prisoners, relocate them to a high-security 'escape-proof' camp to sit out the remainder of the war. Undaunted, the prisoners plan one of the most ambitious escape attempts of World War II. Based on a true story.
Stunts
McQueen's fence-jumping motorcycle chase—he did most of it himself.
Direction
Sturges balances 76 speaking roles without losing clarity.
Score
Elmer Bernstein's march will live in your head rent-free.
Director
John Sturges
Steve McQueen
Hilts 'The Cooler King'
James Garner
Hendley 'The Scrounger'
Richard Attenborough
Bartlett 'Big X'
James Donald
Ramsey 'The SBO'
Charles Bronson
Danny 'Tunnel King'
Donald Pleasence
Blythe 'The Forger'
James Coburn
Sedgwick 'Manufacturer'
Hannes Messemer
Von Luger 'The Kommandant'
David McCallum
Ashley-Pitt 'Dispersal'
Gordon Jackson
MacDonald 'Intelligence'
John Leyton
Willie 'Tunnel King'
Angus Lennie
Ives 'The Mole'
Robert Graf
Werner 'The Ferret'
Jud Taylor
Goff
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
McQueen's famous motorcycle jump was actually performed by his friend Bud Ekins because insurance wouldn't cover the star.
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