Our next review comes from the IMDB top 250 list at number 111. The Great Escape (1963) is a classic World War 2 movie based on a true story.
Plot: 6/10
Its hard to give this too much of a bad rating, considering this is a true story, but I have a feeling that the movie creators could have found many better ways to tell it. This movie, for me at least, seemed to forget what the ultimate goal was. It seemed to consist of filler after filler in an attempt to make the film longer in length, which doesn’t necessarily mean a better film. The story is about a group of WWII P.O.W.S known for their escape abilities trying to succeed in yet another massive escape by digging a series of tunnels under their cells. Being that the story is true, I understand that it needed to be told, and I’m glad it was, I just feel as though it could have been told in such a better way.
Acting: 10/10
The one bright side of this film was its cast. Filled with many all time great actors, this movie is jam packed with grade A performances that make the somewhat boring plot almost watchable. Many of the characters have their own specific “jobs” or “titles” in the quest for the prison escape. “The Scrounger” is played by James Garner (The Rockford Files, Maverick) “The Forger” is played by Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Escape to Witch Mountain) Big X is played by Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park, Miracle on 34th Street) and most importantly “The Tunnel King” is played by Charles Bronson (Once upon a Time in the West, Dirty Dozen) These actors play their respective parts flawlessly and each put their own mark on this classic tale. There is one performance; however, that overshadows them all. “The Cooler King” is played by film legend Steve McQueen (The Sand Pebbles, Papillion) McQueen’s unmatched timing and outright aura make him the standout of an almost unmatched overall great cast.
Visuals: 6/10
We seem to keep running into this situation, where the film gets a low visual rating just because it doesn’t have any amazing special effects and the only reason for that is because the story doesn’t call for it. This is certainly one of these examples. The film’s sets, costumes, and makeup are all “time table” accurate, and I cannot find a single thing wrong with what I see as I watched this film, but again, I do not feel right about giving a movie like this as high of points on visuals as movies such as Jurassic Park or 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Sound: 9/10
Now this sound was much better. Recently I watched “The Sting” and I complained that the music seemed “light hearted” compared to what the film was about. Now this film got it right. When the mood was lighthearted and laid back, the music was more “fun” and “light” but when the mood was serious or suspenseful, then the music got more “deep” or “heavy” This is how it should be, congrats on the movie creators on knowing how to set the correct mood for the correct moment in the film.
Overall Entertainment: 6/10
Knowing that this film was a true story, I cannot help but respect it and appreciate the film for what it is. I cannot, however, pretend that I enjoyed watching it. I was, to be frank, very bored throughout, and I was able to reconnect with my long lost friend the time button many, many times lol. This was a very, very long 172 minutes and I wish that I had found this film more enjoyable, because I do feel as though it is an important film for everyone to see at one time or another. I just wish I could tell you it was going to be easier than it actually is. Good Luck
Final Chux Flix Rating: 74/100
Favorite Trivia for this film: Harrison Ford's film debut
Plot: 6/10
Its hard to give this too much of a bad rating, considering this is a true story, but I have a feeling that the movie creators could have found many better ways to tell it. This movie, for me at least, seemed to forget what the ultimate goal was. It seemed to consist of filler after filler in an attempt to make the film longer in length, which doesn’t necessarily mean a better film. The story is about a group of WWII P.O.W.S known for their escape abilities trying to succeed in yet another massive escape by digging a series of tunnels under their cells. Being that the story is true, I understand that it needed to be told, and I’m glad it was, I just feel as though it could have been told in such a better way.
Acting: 10/10
The one bright side of this film was its cast. Filled with many all time great actors, this movie is jam packed with grade A performances that make the somewhat boring plot almost watchable. Many of the characters have their own specific “jobs” or “titles” in the quest for the prison escape. “The Scrounger” is played by James Garner (The Rockford Files, Maverick) “The Forger” is played by Donald Pleasence (Halloween, Escape to Witch Mountain) Big X is played by Richard Attenborough (Jurassic Park, Miracle on 34th Street) and most importantly “The Tunnel King” is played by Charles Bronson (Once upon a Time in the West, Dirty Dozen) These actors play their respective parts flawlessly and each put their own mark on this classic tale. There is one performance; however, that overshadows them all. “The Cooler King” is played by film legend Steve McQueen (The Sand Pebbles, Papillion) McQueen’s unmatched timing and outright aura make him the standout of an almost unmatched overall great cast.
Visuals: 6/10
We seem to keep running into this situation, where the film gets a low visual rating just because it doesn’t have any amazing special effects and the only reason for that is because the story doesn’t call for it. This is certainly one of these examples. The film’s sets, costumes, and makeup are all “time table” accurate, and I cannot find a single thing wrong with what I see as I watched this film, but again, I do not feel right about giving a movie like this as high of points on visuals as movies such as Jurassic Park or 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Sound: 9/10
Now this sound was much better. Recently I watched “The Sting” and I complained that the music seemed “light hearted” compared to what the film was about. Now this film got it right. When the mood was lighthearted and laid back, the music was more “fun” and “light” but when the mood was serious or suspenseful, then the music got more “deep” or “heavy” This is how it should be, congrats on the movie creators on knowing how to set the correct mood for the correct moment in the film.
Overall Entertainment: 6/10
Knowing that this film was a true story, I cannot help but respect it and appreciate the film for what it is. I cannot, however, pretend that I enjoyed watching it. I was, to be frank, very bored throughout, and I was able to reconnect with my long lost friend the time button many, many times lol. This was a very, very long 172 minutes and I wish that I had found this film more enjoyable, because I do feel as though it is an important film for everyone to see at one time or another. I just wish I could tell you it was going to be easier than it actually is. Good Luck
Final Chux Flix Rating: 74/100
Favorite Trivia for this film: Harrison Ford's film debut
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