A brilliant movie, beautifully acted and so heartfelt. As a former member of the military the way we carry the burden of some of our experiences is well portrayed in this film too. Beautiful connection to the characters and their lives and stories. I will put this in my top 10 movies of all time!

Just fabulous. Not just brilliantly acted with an excellent script but it's one of those movies you can call "important". Not only does everyone under 90 need to understand some of the challenges of the last period of life but the specific issue of war veterans requires far more appreciation than any of us give it. The fact that the film delivers an education as well as a warming story speaks volumes.

Made me squirm. A massive embarrassment for all concerned. Sentimental without achieving it. Poor old Glenda’s last outing. It seems obligatory for this genre of English films - and there’s a big bunch of em - to portray older people as idiots cared for by lovely Third World immigrants. Gerroff.

A perfect last film for Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. Wanted to see this for ages. Brilliant performances from both of them. Had me in tears. See it.

A slick professional beautifully told story with world class actors

Quién iba pensar que una historia así de sencilla pero agridulce está inspirada en hechos reales? Lo que llega al corazón son las actuaciones de Caine y Jackson, bastante estimulantes.

It isn't a fast-paced movie, but it's such a nice movie and it has a really emotional story line.

One of the best character performances ever. The plot was of people doing ordinary things, but doing them ever so richly. I did not know it was based on a real story going in, and in my head it was already 5 star prior to learning that. Tears are easy to come by in this movie if you've ever been in love. And I also think its a great deterrent for the great human tragedy of war.

Sad and touching final film for Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine. The fact this is based on a true story makes this such an amazing film. one scene with some veteran German soldiers will bring a tear to your eyes.

Lovely film, best acting I have ever seen from Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson is just delightful - so glad I found this film ❤️❤️

loved this true event story which gives young people the opportunity to better understand the tragedies of War!

Cringeingely bad, thrown-together collection of war veteran tropes and cliches, based on a true non-story. Why "Old man goes to France" ever made the headlines is a mystery. Why anyone thought it would make a good film 10 years later is even more unclear. It's so badly written, and the direction so flat-footed, that even the towering talents of Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson can't save it. Obviously aimed at Americans and octagenarians, for whom this kind of saccharine whimsy seems to hold some appeal.

A sentimental character-study that never quite rises up to the point of being a 'tearjerker', at least for me; but maybe for a veteran, it could be quite emotional. The true story of the Royal Navy senior who 'escaped' from the home to attend the 70th D-Day ceremonies was probably simple enough- he took the ferry there and came back- but, out of necessity, this film was padded with flashbacks, etc. to fill out the running time. Excellent performances by all the actors.

A very moving and Well acted movie that was Glenda Jackson’s and Michael Caine’s last movies

Absolutely loved this film its slow at times but it just kicks you right in the feels repeatedly. Great acting and plot.

The Great Escaper sets sail with a heartwarming premise: Bernie, a WWII veteran residing in a care home, hatches a daring escape to fulfil a lifelong dream—attending the 70th-anniversary commemoration of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Michael Caine delivers a charming performance as Bernie, with a twinkle in his eye despite the wrinkles on his face. Glenda Jackson portrays his wife, Rene, and their love story as a quiet thread woven throughout the narrative. However, the film struggles to maintain momentum. The historical context, ripe for exploration, feels like a missed opportunity. Sure, there are flashbacks to Bernie's wartime experiences, but they're fleeting and lack depth. Similarly, the cultural impact of D-Day and its significance for veterans like Bernie are barely touched on. This is a shame, because a deeper dive into these themes could have resonated powerfully. The plot itself, while sweet, feels predictable. Bernie's escape is executed with unbelievable, surprising ease, and the challenges he faces on his journey are fairly mild. There's a sense of wanting him to encounter more obstacles and truly feel the weight of his escapade. The film's tone, aiming for heartwarming with a touch of humour, lands somewhere in between. There are moments that elicit genuine smiles, but they're often undercut by a sentimentality that feels a bit forced. The saving grace of the film lies in the performances. Caine, as always, is a delight to watch. He imbues Bernie with a quiet determination and vulnerability that make him endearing. Jackson, though given less screen time, delivers a poignant portrayal of a wife grappling with her own limitations while supporting her husband's dream. The supporting cast is solid, but their characters lack the same depth as the leads. Director Oliver Parker keeps things visually pleasant. The French countryside is beautifully captured, and the cinematography is unobtrusive. The score is forgettable, failing to evoke much emotional resonance. The editing is competent, but the pacing feels uneven, particularly during the middle section of the film. Dialogue is mostly functional, with a few witty lines sprinkled in, but it lacks the spark that could have elevated the film's emotional impact. Honestly, The Great Escaper left me feeling a little let down. It has the potential for brilliance, but the execution feels uninspired. Films like The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel come to mind, which handle similar themes of ageing and chasing dreams with a touch more humour and heart. If you're looking for a light, predictable watch with a charming lead performance, then The Great Escaper might be worth a shot. There is not much here about the intricacies of love, loss, and memory that will satisfy those seeking a more profound exploration of these themes.

Excellent movie. So heartwarming. Brilliant acting from the elderly actors Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine.

All time WW2 Classic that never gets old. A film every war film enthusiast should watch at least once in their lifetime. And there is a little motorbike sequence you may want to see! 10/10 5 stars

The final film for both Caine and Jackson (sadly she died soon after filming), and what a great way to bow out. Based on this true story which was 'big' news at the time while living in the UK, the film provides all the emotional pull strings in a totally entertaining way.

A based on a true story feelgood Brit-flick that comes around every so often these days, if only to keep our more elderly National Treasures in regular employment, this one is no different except for the unbelievable first-ever pairing of Michael Caine with Glenda Jackson, a billing which would have been sensational back in the day, and still is, but it's most significant now as Caine's last film before he announces his retirement and sadly also Jackson's final screen role as she has since passed away. Based on the rather simple and straightforward story that caught the media's attention in 2014 when 89-year-old British veteran Bernard Jordan took off on his own from his care home where he and his wife reside to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day landings in France, screenwriter William Ivory has fleshed it out further with a couple of characters Bernard comes across: a young soldier with PTSD, an alcoholic veteran who befriends him and, giving Caine an opportunity to exercise his acting chops, an exploration of survivor's guilt that Bernard is struggling with. Wisely eschewing too many flashbacks so as to give the senior leads more screen time, even if it's just putting them in front of the camera and have them regale their stories, director Oliver Parker simply let Jackson and Caine work their magic and it's pure pleasure watching them on screen playing out the loving couple who has spent 70 years together. The casting of John Standing and character German actor Wolf Kahler, reuniting the actors from 1976's The Eagle Has Landed, adds a nice, subtle touch too. Without getting too overboard with sentimentalities, this does the job for a niche but substantial market, and it cannot be any nicer or more respectable whilst doing so.