The Great Escape
Directed by John Sturges
Starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough
Trailer
Staff notes
Is it the greatest war movie of all time? It might be 20 feet short, but it's bloody close. Best cast ever put together. Richard Attenborough and Steve McQueen steal the show. Shame about the Aussie accent. Would watch again and again and again. 10/10.
Craig · 5/5Fan Tales
Steve McQueen did most of his own riding. Who did the famous fence jump?
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His friend, stuntman Bud Ekins. McQueen later admitted it on The Tonight Show: 'That was Bud Ekins.'
McQueen also appears in the motorbike chase as who?
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A German rider chasing himself. He was the best rider on set, so he doubled as a German soldier chasing his own character, Hilts.
Which cast member was a real WWII prisoner of war?
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Donald Pleasence. Pleasence was an RAF officer shot down in 1944 and held at Stalag Luft I, a different camp to the one in the film.
Where was the book's author, Paul Brickhill, born?
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Melbourne. He flew Spitfires, was shot down over Tunisia and held at Stalag Luft III. Claustrophobia kept him out of the tunnel itself.
The 'German' motorbike is actually what?
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A British Triumph. A Triumph TR6 Trophy dressed up to look German.