The Great Escape Overview:

The Great Escape (1963) was a Adventure - Drama Film directed by John Sturges and produced by James Clavell and John Sturges.

Academy Awards 1963 --- Ceremony Number 36 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best Film EditingFerris WebsterNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Cinemallennials: The Great Escape (1963)

By Dave Lewis on Jun 16, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Cinemallennials: The Great Escape (1963) For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cinemallennials, it is a bi-weekly podcast in which I, and another millennial, watch a classic film that we?ve never seen before, and discuss its significance and relevance in today?s world. In today?s ... Read full article


The Great Escape (1963)

By Beatrice on Jan 5, 2018 From Flickers in Time

The Great Escape Directed by John Sturges Written by James Clavell and W.R. Burnett from a book by Paul Brickhill 1963/USA The Mirisch Company Repeat viewing/Netflixrental One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die I’ve loved this movie since I was a kid. The German Luftwaffe gets the b... Read full article


The Great Escape (1963, John Sturges)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 21, 2014 From The Stop Button

While The Great Escape runs nearly three hours, director Sturges and screenwriters James Clavell and W.R. Burnett never let it feel too long. Part of the quick pace comes from the first half hour being told in something like real time and another big part of it is the aftermath of the escape taking ... Read full article


The Great Escape (1963)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 25, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Based on true events, this film describes the heroic exploits of POWs in a German Stalag during World War II. With extreme heart and teamwork the men take upon the task of making a?massive?escape. Led by Richard Attenbourough, Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Charles Bronson to name a few, they begi... Read full article


The Great Escape (1963)

By 4 Star Film Fan on Apr 25, 2014 From 4 Star Films

Based on true events, this film describes the heroic exploits of POWs in a German Stalag during World War II. With extreme heart and teamwork the men take upon the task of making a?massive?escape. Led by Richard Attenbourough, Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Charles Bronson to name a few, they begi... Read full article


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Quotes from

No Quote for this film.

Facts about

James Garner developed his "Scrounger" character from his own personal experiences in the military during the Korean War.
The hooch-making scene in the film, where the Americans celebrated Independence Day, is believed to be based on the British creating an alcohol distillery for Christmas Day celebrations in 1943. Captain Guy Griffiths, a Royal Marine pilot in Stalag Luft III who produced forged documents for the escape, also produced a comical illustration of the scene which survives to this day. This painting, along with many others, forms the basis for a Special Exhibition on 'Griff' at the Royal Marines Museum (Southsea, England) running from Easter 2010.
During the climatic motorcycle chase, John Sturges allowed Steve McQueen to ride (in disguise) as one of the pursuing German soldiers, so that in the final sequence, through the magic of editing, he's actually chasing himself.
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Best Film Editing Oscar 1963






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Also directed by John Sturges




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Also produced by James Clavell




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Also released in 1963




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More "World War II" films



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