The Great Escape

( 9 )

Overview

John Sturges' nail-biting POW classic The Great Escape arrives on DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a half-hour documentary, production notes, trivia, and the original theatrical trailer. This fine package will please fans of the film and may draw some interest from ...
See more details below
DVD (Wide Screen / Mono)
$8.99
BN.com price
(Save 40%)$14.99 List Price
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up In Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Other sellers (DVD)
  • All (22) from $1.99   
  • New (15) from $7.77   
  • Used (7) from $1.99   

More About This Product

Overview

John Sturges' nail-biting POW classic The Great Escape arrives on DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 2.35:1. English and French soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English, Spanish, and French subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a half-hour documentary, production notes, trivia, and the original theatrical trailer. This fine package will please fans of the film and may draw some interest from people unfamiliar with it.
Read More Show Less

Special Features

24-minute documentary on the making of "The Great Escape"; Trivia and production notes; Original theatrical trailer; Dual-layer format for continuous playback
Read More Show Less

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide - Bruce Eder
John Sturges' The Great Escape could easily be the most under-appreciated movie of its genre and decade, which may seem a strange thing to say about a movie that is one of the most popular World War II adventure films ever made. It not only defined the screen personae of Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and much of the rest of the cast, but along with The Magnificent Seven represented a high-water mark in Sturges' career. Yet, despite that and the millions of dollars it earned at the box office, The Great Escape didn't command much respect until years after its release. Critics lumped the film together with such mammoth World War II productions as The Longest Day, The Guns of Navarone and Battle of the Bulge and overlooked its unique status as a fundamentally tragic movie that still managed to appeal to audiences in an upbeat manner. Beneath the fact-based heroics, the humor of many of the portrayals and Elmer Bernstein's rich, rousing score lay the elements of a classic tragedy. While ordinary viewers responded to the driving dramatic forces among the characters -- Bartlett's obsession, Hilts's self-absorption and cynicism, Hedley's practical approach to survival and the mission -- critics and scholars viewed the movie as an artless, empty blockbuster. They were looking for self-conscious subtlety and obvious artistic touches in a story that required only a straightforward, unpretentious telling. The Great Escape expresses its depth and drama through action rather than ponderous dialogue, and in that sense, was probably too true to its subject for its own good, at least in terms of achieving critical respect. Only in recent years have film historians grudgingly confronted the fact that The Great Escape's audience has broadened since its release, and reappraised its unique qualities.
All Movie Guide
John Sturges' The Great Escape could easily be the most under-appreciated movie of its genre and decade, which may seem a strange thing to say about a movie that is one of the most popular World War II adventure films ever made. It not only defined the screen personae of Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and much of the rest of the cast, but along with The Magnificent Seven represented a high-water mark in Sturges' career. Yet, despite that and the millions of dollars it earned at the box office, The Great Escape didn't command much respect until years after its release. Critics lumped the film together with such mammoth World War II productions as The Longest Day, The Guns of Navarone and Battle of the Bulge and overlooked its unique status as a fundamentally tragic movie that still managed to appeal to audiences in an upbeat manner. Beneath the fact-based heroics, the humor of many of the portrayals and Elmer Bernstein's rich, rousing score lay the elements of a classic tragedy. While ordinary viewers responded to the driving dramatic forces among the characters -- Bartlett's obsession, Hilts's self-absorption and cynicism, Hedley's practical approach to survival and the mission -- critics and scholars viewed the movie as an artless, empty blockbuster. They were looking for self-conscious subtlety and obvious artistic touches in a story that required only a straightforward, unpretentious telling. The Great Escape expresses its depth and drama through action rather than ponderous dialogue, and in that sense, was probably too true to its subject for its own good, at least in terms of achieving critical respect. Only in recent years have film historians grudgingly confronted the fact that The Great Escape's audience has broadened since its release, and reappraised its unique qualities. Bruce Eder
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/31/1998
  • UPC: 027616668028
  • Original Release: 1963

    • Rating:

  • Source: Mgm (Video & Dvd)
  • Region Code: 1
  • Aspect Ratio: Cinemascope (2.35:1)
  • Presentation: Wide Screen / Mono
  • Sound: monaural
  • Language: English, Français
  • Time: 2:52:00
  • Format: DVD
  • Sales rank: 4,865

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits
Steve McQueen "Cooler King" Hilts
James Garner "The Scrounger" Hendley
Richard Attenborough "Big X" Bartlett
James Donald Senior Officer Ramsey
Charles Bronson Danny Velinski
James Coburn "The Manufacturer" Sedgwick
David McCallum Ashley-Pitt "Dispersal"
Donald Pleasence "The Forger" Blythe
Gordon Jackson MacDonald "Intelligence"
John Leyton Willie "Tunnel King"
Angus Lennie "The Mole" Ives
Nigel Stock Cavendish "The Surveyor"
Jud Taylor Goff
William Russell Sorren
Robert Desmond "The Tailor" Griffith
Tom Adams Nimmo
Lawrence Montaigne Haynes
Hannes Messemer Von Lugar "The Kommandant"
Robert Graf Werner "The Ferret"
Harry Riebauer Strachwitz
Hans Reiser Kuhn
Robert Freitag Posen
Heinz Weiss Kramer
Til Kiwe Frick
Ulrich Beiger Preissen
George Mikell Dietrich
Karl Otto Alberty Steinach
Technical Credits
John Sturges Director, Producer
Elmer Bernstein Score Composer
W.R. Burnett Screenwriter
Fernando Carrere Art Director
James Clavell Screenwriter
Bud Ekins Stunts
Daniel L. Fapp Cinematographer
Bert Henrikson Costumes/Costume Designer
Emile LaVigne Makeup
Jack N. Reddish Asst. Director
Ferris Webster Editor
Read More Show Less

Scene Index

Scene Selections
0. Scene Selections
1. Main Titles [:21]
2. The Prisoners Arrive [3:22]
3. Escape Attempt #1 [4:45]
4. The Blind Spot [8:18]
5. To The Cooler [:28]
6. Barlett's Arrival [1:40]
7. The Objective [3:23]
8. The Escape Committee [4:32]
9. Forger & Scrounger [4:19]
10. Stealing Steel [2:24]
11. Tunneling Begins. [1:21]
12. Spot Inspection [2:17]
13. Hilts & Ives' Plan [4:19]
14. Come All Ye Faithful [1:09]
15. Tempting The Guard [:17]
16. Dealing For A Camera [2:27]
17. Tunnel Collapse [2:06]
18. Independence Day [2:51]
19. Finding "Tom" [6:24]
20. Doubts Abut Blythe [1:21]
21. The Escape Begins [8:48]
22. 20 Feet Short [3:28]
23. Discovered! [1:56]
24. The Chase [1:53]
25. Death At The Station [6:13]
26. Taking The Plane [1:42]
27. Crash Landing [5:16]
28. Motorcycle Pursuit [2:48]
29. The Resistance [7:25]
30. The Massacre [2:00]
31. Back To The Cooler [6:04]
32. End Titles [6:36]
Read More Show Less

Menu

Main
Play
   Menu Group #1 with 33 chapter(s) covering 02:52:05
Special Features
   Documentary
   Theatrical Trailer
Languages
Read More Show Less

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 5
( 9 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(8)

4 Star

(1)

3 Star

(0)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(0)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identity on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

 
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously
Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    WOW!

    I found this DVD in my stocking this year. Santa must know that I like war movies and this is a great one. The plot is intense and makes your pulse race from the opening shot. The most fun part is seeing ALL of the tremendous actors who are part of this film: James Garner, Charles Bronson, and all those British guys you know their faces, but not their names. I find it odd that Steve McQueen is given top billing. It seems to me that he had more of a cameo or walk-on than a starring role. Watch the documentary and you'll know why. I can't beleive that this movie was to be shot in California! This movie would not have been half as good if it had not been shot in Europe. The Polish set is amazing! It just goes to show that ''they don't make em' like they used to''.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Even better for being true

    While McQueen's character is more or less a composite, the basic story of Tom, Dick and Harry at Stalag Luft III is true. My father was a ''penguin'', one of many POWs who assisted in the real life escape plot, and he still bears the scars of his captivity today. ''The Great Escape'' is one of his favorite movies, too.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    My Favorite War/ Escape Movie!!!!!!!!

    The Great Escape is a must for all war movie lovers. Hey it's a must for all movie lovers. About 300 POWs find themselves in a camp which is filed 'escape-proof'. The Nazi's put all of their most troublesome escape artists in one camp, or as the commandant puts it ''All of the rotten eggs in one basket.'' Well let me tell you, these men are not going to stand by quietly and sit out the war as comfortablely as possible, as the commandant puts it. They are going to dig! And they don't plan to take out three or a dozen, how about more like 200. Based on a true story, the Great Escape is a wonderful movie for all. With the escape exactly as it happened in real life, it will keep you gripping the arms of your chair. Oh, and don't forget the awesome motorcycle chase with Steve McQueen. With great music by Elmer Bernstein, and great actors like Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, James Garner, Charles Bronson, James Coburn and many more, you can't afford to miss this movie. Made with just the right amount of laughter and action, it's a movie that you will cherish forever.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 19, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted August 22, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 19, 2009

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 3, 2008

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 17, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted July 8, 2010

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 9 Customer Reviews