TRIBUTES AND RETROSPECTIVES

Escapes

The Great Escape

John Sturges
1963 - United States - 2h49

Screenings : wednesday 24 - 7:45 pm - 400 Coups - 5 - presented and followed by a debate with Noée Abita - actress

During the Second World War, allied officers are held prisoner and carefully watched over in a stalag. Despite this, they prepare a mass escape. Before the alarm is even raised, 75 of them manage to escape…

“A specialist of the western (Gunfight at the OK Corral) and adventure films (Bad Day at Black Rock), John Sturges wanted to make the most spectacular escape film, and he had the means to do it. Already together in The Magnificent Seven, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and James Coburn are back again under the direction of the same John Sturges. (...) The quality of the performances and Sturges's efficiency ensured the success and commercial triumph the film saw, and it is difficult not to feel concerned by the drama and the heroism of these prisoners, who have decided to do whatever is necessary to escape and return to combat. A great spectacle!” (André Moreau, Télérama)

CAST AND CREW

Cast : Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn
Screenplay : James Clavell, W.R. Burnett
Cinematography : Daniel L. Fapp
Editing : Ferris Webster
Music : Elmer Bernstein

Production : The Mirisch Company

French distributor : Swashbuckler Films