This star-laden real-life tale of teamwork and derring-do is a trifle flabby at nearly three hours, but there is no denying that this is one of the best loved of all Second World War films.

| Dec 27, 2023

For all its missteps, when it comes to escapism, intrigue, and indulgence, you could do a whole lot worse than The Great Escape. Just watch it with an open eye.

| Feb 21, 2019

This is a Boys' Own Tale, and, as boys, we wanted it, cleansed of horrors, for ourselves.

| Apr 23, 2014

The Great Escape is simply great escapism.

| Feb 6, 2014

An exceptional story about teamwork.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Dec 28, 2010

Producer-director John Sturges has fashioned a motion picture that entertains, captivates, thrills and stirs.

| Mar 26, 2009

Way too flabby at 168 minutes, but once this 1963 feature gets going it's good, solid stuff.

| Mar 1, 2007

Worth seeing the last half hour, if nothing else, for one of the best stunt sequences in years: McQueen's motor-cycle bid for freedom.

| Jun 24, 2006

It's a strictly mechanical adventure with make-believe men.

| May 9, 2005

One of the all-time great action movies.

| Mar 10, 2003

It's all based on the true escape plan from Stalag Luft North, and cinema, bank holidays and life in general would be vastly inferior without it.

| Original Score: 5/5 | Jan 1, 2000