The Great Escape (1963)

Oddly enough, one of the first things you consider while watching The Great Escape has nothing to do with the movie itself. It's most likely because there are so few flaws in the film, but as it unfolds, you actually start think of other overblown, less successful war movies. We all know these - the ones that rely on their subject matter alone for their acclaim, instead of actual filmmaking merit. In many cases, they're successful films, but nowhere near as good as the masses claim. The Great Escape outshines them all for two primary reasons:

First, it doesn't take itself too seriously. Yes, there's a story, and yes, it's based on actual events, but neither the cast nor the crew felt the need to over-dramatize anything. We see the prisoners working feverishly to accomplish their tasks, suffering setbacks along the way, but we also see our fair share of comic relief to make it all more relatable. It's a war movie, but it's also great fun - which sets it apart from most of its other genre counterparts.

Secondly, as an ensemble piece, it treats war as it's meant to be treated - a team affair, rather than a chance for stars to shine. Though Steve McQueen gets top billing as Virgil Hilts, he doesn't factor into the story any more than James Garner, or Richard Attenborough do in their roles. Director John Sturges gives us a group of successful performances in not very demanding roles. It's one of the film's biggest successes, and it mirrors the workmanlike nature of the story. (If any one of them can be called a "star" here, it's Charles Bronson as claustrophobic tunnel king Danny Velinski.)

Don't be put off by the nearly-three-hour run time; The Great Escape will fly right by. It's one of the best war movies you'll ever see, and certainly a film that demands repeat viewing.

3 stars out of 4