The Great Escape (1963) ****

The Great Escape (1963), John Sturges' most classic and well-known film, is a rousing adventure film that has aged as well as it has because it focuses as much attention on the details of its characters as is it does on the action. It is undoubtedly a fantastical version of the true-life events that inspired it, but it does have a heavy denouement. The all-star cast is wonderful and Elmer Bernstein's fife-and-drum score is an all-timer. TGE is a nearly 3-hour film that manages to captivate no matter how many times I've seen it—a superb picture full of indelible performances and made by expert craftsmen. The bond between the men in TGE is palpable and despite not being a "gritty" war movie, it is undoubtable escapist fun.

You can find my John Sturges Films Ranked list here.