This is one of the best yarns ever made based on WWII, taut screenplay, great acting, no sidetracking heroines and not a dull moment. I am surprised at some negative reviews calling it a 'joke' and such. The movie is an entertainer. If you want serious stuff related to the Holocaust go watch Schindler's list and hundreds of other documentaries made. The movie does what it is supposed to do, entertainment with an underlying conscience/awareness attached of the seriousness of the basic story.

This is one of the great films of all time, and a perennial Christmas favourite but I would suggest before anyone gets too over-excited about it being a "true" story, they read the book. Its a sad reflection that fictitious Americans had to be inserted into the film for commercial purposes because the largest target audience of the film wouldn't have the attention span to watch anything not featuring them. The real story is just as dramatic and even more tragic.

When rating a book or movie reviewers use many criteria, some of which aren't quite fair. Personally I think books/movies should be rated on the basis of their intrinsic quality not as to how they are formatted or the quality of packaging. That said, I'm about to disobey my own rule...slightly.

'The Great Escape' is a great adventure tale and, on that basis deserves 5 stars. I've rated it 4 stars, though, because the writers/producers/directors have altered the genuine tale to appeal to American viewers. Yes, there was a real-life 'Great Escape' but there were no American participants. The Stalag contained a mixture of Americans and Brits who planned the escape and prepared false papers,clothes, uniforms etc. Unfortunately...or fortunately, depending on your point of view...the Americans were all transferred from the camp prior to the actual escape. The escapees were Brits. In most other details the story is correct. Most of the prisoners were recaptured and some, without the knowledge of the prison commandant, were shot by the Gestapo.

I heard some actual British survivors complaining about the movie in that it downplayed their own role. They are perfectly correct...to put the Americans in the forefront, despite the fact that they didn't participate and no Americans were executed, is an affront to the brave Brits who actually attempted the escape.

This is an issue for me, personally. Do Americans 'require' stories written about themselves? I took a chance and wrote two novels on the Conquest of Mexico--obviously there are no Americans. The question is will English-speaking Americans be interested in this very Spanish and Aztec tale?

Ron Braithwaite, author of novels--'Skull Rack' and 'Hummingbird God'--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

I ordered this for my dad's birthday, thinking it would be something he would like and something that I would have no interest in. My brother watched it with him, and then told me that it was really good and that I should watch it.
So I did.
I was very pleasantly surprised - I am not into war-type, adrenaline-laden, "guy" movies, but, even though this could easily fit into any of those categories, I still found it very enjoyable!
Suspense, excitement and drama are balanced with enough character development and ordinary "human moments" to make a very well-made, well-acted movie with memorable characters, touching moments, Steve McQueen's unforgettable motorcycle chase, and, of course, The Great Escape!
Highly recommended for anyone who likes good movies, genre notwithstanding.

This movie stands the test of time. While it did not get much respect when it came out. Most of Steve McQueen's movies don't stand the test. This movie stands out in my mind in a long list of World War II movies. Then you have to consider the All Star cast in this movie; it can't be beat. Truly a great film.