After two American prisoners are killed by guards in the act of escaping from a German POW camp in World War II, barracks black marketeer J.J. Sefton is suspected of being an informer.
Acting
Holden's Oscar-winning smarm hides real vulnerability
Direction
Wilder balances POW hell with genuine belly laughs
Writing
Every line crackles with Broadway-sharp wit
Director
Billy Wilder
William Holden
Sgt. J.J. Sefton
Robert Strauss
Sgt. Stanislaus 'Animal' Kuzawa
Don Taylor
Lt. James Dunbar
Otto Preminger
Oberst von Scherbach
Harvey Lembeck
Sgt. Harry Shapiro
Richard Erdman
Sgt. 'Hoffy' Hoffman
Peter Graves
Sgt. Frank Price
Neville Brand
Duke
Sig Ruman
Sgt. Johann Sebastian Schulz
Michael Moore
Sgt. Manfredi
Peter Baldwin
Sgt. Johnson
Robinson Stone
Joey
William Pierson
Marko the Mailman
Gil Stratton
Sgt. Clarence Harvey 'Cookie' Cook
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Holden hated his character so much he initially refused the role; Wilder convinced him by promising less screen time, then gave him the most.
US
