The Great Escape: Special Edition

It's not until you watch the very interesting and informative extras that make up this Special Edition that you begin to appreciate that The Great Escape is much more than just a great film. Based on the book of the same name by Australian Paul Brickhill (himself a part of the real great escape), this is the Hollywood dramatisation of a remarkable and inspiring true story. There are many World War II movies, from the great to the truly awful, but critics and audiences generally agree that The Great Escape is one of the best.

Set in Nazi Germany in 1944, it is the story of Allied prisoners detained at the purpose built Stalag Luft Nord and their plans to escape. Filmed entirely in Germany, the authenticity shines through and The Great Escape is all the better for it. Stalag Luft Nord was built and promoted as escape-proof and held mostly POWs that were considered frequent escapees. It was still the duty of every captured soldier to disrupt the enemy's war-effort no matter how difficult and dangerous, and the experts imprisoned at Stalag Luft Nord considered escape from this Stalag as just another challenge.

In 1944, the POW’s held at Stalag Luft III (the real Stalag that Stalag Luft Nord is based on) were a mix of British, Australian, South African and mainland Europeans. There were a few American officers, but as the documentary extras point out, their role was all but ended when they were moved internally to another compound when the Germans became convinced that escape plans were being formed. This raised fears in Hollywood that there may be decreased audience appeal if no American stars were featured, so some editorial licence was exercised and presto, we have American officers front and centre.

This is just one of several changes made in the name of drama (and box office receipts), but fortunately, the bulk of the story is a faithful presentation of real events. With an original plan to dig three very lengthy tunnels, human endeavour and sheer determination mixed with astounding ingenuity was required. There were also papers to forge, garments and uniforms to be made, and an awful lot of sand to move. After viewing the extras disc featuring men who were actually there and hearing them confirm the general accuracy of the movie, it gives Hogan's Heroes an increased believability.

The Great Escape boasts a big name cast including Steve McQueen, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasance, David McCallum and James Coburn. Many of the cast have a military background and more than a few are former POWs themselves, both German and Allied. Under the wonderful direction of John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven) the acting is first class with no over the top, gung-ho performances, or Hollywood 'war-glam' with tanks, bombs and big guns. The main characters are an amalgamation of the many POWs that coordinated this piece of genius, and it was one of the rare times when watching a Hollywood film, that I actually felt tense and willed the characters to succeed. If the mark of a great film is getting the audience to really care about the characters, then this film is a genuine success.

At 165 minutes, this can truly be called a classic, and the pace and tension build gradually, drawing the viewer in. Add in the generous and wonderful extras and you have not so much a Hollywood movie as a Hollywood experience. Entertaining, educational, and inspirational stuff.

Released in 1963, The Great Escape - Special Edition is in aspect ratio 2.35:1 and is a very good transfer indeed. Unlike the original DVD release, this one is 16x9 enhanced which will be welcome news for those with widescreen televisions. Colours are great with no evidence of chroma noise. Flesh tones are accurate, and contrast is great. The image is sharp and clear, with good shadow detail. Black levels are good and there is no evidence of low-level noise.

The big surprise is the almost non-existent grain. For a film of this age, I was expecting severe grain and I was pleasantly disappointed. Aliasing is minimal and easily ignored.

The only blot is the rather frequent occurrences of negative film artefacts that are a little harder to ignore. These white flecks are more noticeable in the tunnel and night scenes when the screen is mostly black. While frequent, they are not bad enough to diminish enjoyment of the film.

The layer change occurs at 87:27 and is extremely well placed in a fade-out between scenes.

Previously available with only a Dolby Digital 2.0 mono soundtrack, we are now treated to one in Dolby Digital 5.1, but it is very subtle. The Great Escape - Special Edition is more a dialogue driven film than an action film, so consequently it is the centre speaker that gets a solid workout. Dialogue is clear with no audio-sync problems. There is little action from the surround speakers other than a few ambient sounds and even the subwoofer had a fairly quiet night. The music score by Elmer Bernstein is uplifting, dramatic, and gorgeously subtle in the right proportions and whilst never aggressive, is nicely presented using all speakers.

Unlike many war films, there are little to no explosions, tanks, cannons, bombs or guns. As such, you may wish to turn up the volume a little, as there are lengthy scenes with hushed voices and quiet conversations.

This would have to be one of the best extra-laden releases I have seen in a while, for both quality and quantity.

The Audio Commentary is hosted by writer/producer Steven Jay Reuben with pre-recorded comments and reflections from cast members James Garner, James Coburn, David McCallum, Donald Pleasance, Judd Taylor, and crew members Rob Reylea (Production Executive), Fernando Carrere (Production Designer), Hilly Elkins (Talent Manager representing Steve McQueen), John Sturges (Director), and Bud Ekins (Stunt rider and friend of Steve McQueen). This commentary is a collection of previously recorded snippets and thoughts. Much of what is being discussed is not directly related to what is on screen, but it is still informative and covers a wide range of topics and issues to do with the film.

The Trivia Track is well named and when watched with the commentary is a great source of... you guessed it – trivia. It too covers all sorts of topics and will be a boon for Trivial Pursuit lovers. Topics such as history, the war, the actors, the filming, all get some serious trivia action.

The 2:36 minute Theatre Trailer is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, but is not as clean as the feature. Featuring scenes from the movie (obviously), there is no voice over which is probably the only interesting thing about it.

For a change, I actually enjoyed viewing the Photo Gallery as it is broken up into sub-sections, and each is prefaced with explanatory text. The photos themselves are all of the 'behind the scenes' type and are self-navigating.

The first of the major extras is The Great Escape: The Untold Story and runs for 50:47. It is presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 and Dolby Digital 2.0. It is a fascinating documentary that tells the 'real' story behind the escape and features amazing recollections from some of the men who were there, and one that actually escaped and was recaptured. This gives the film a whole new perspective and increased my admiration of the bravery and determination of these men.

Complimenting this is The Great Escape: The Untold Story - Extra Interviews which is a further 9:35 minutes of recollections.

Of equal interest was The Great Escape - Heroes Underground, which runs for a little under 45 minutes but is broken down into chapters that are selected from a sub-menu. Frustratingly, they do not play as one feature and have to be selected individually. That aside, this is again very informative and gives more of an inside onto the making of the film, the changes Hollywood made to 'increase' the drama and ensure American interest. Again presented in Dolby Digital 2.0, it switches from full frame to 2.35:1 when scenes from the movie are incorporated.

The last extra was included in the original DVD release of The Great Escape and is an Original Documentary: A Man Called Jones... The Real Virgil Hilts focusing on the man who was the inspiration for the character of Virgil Hilts (played by Steve McQueen). It includes historical footage and photos of both the man and Stalag Luft III as well as a more recent interview and is an insight into a truly remarkable man.

Even though this was not the first time I had seen The Great Escape, it was certainly the first time I have watched it with this much appreciation and respect for the men involved, and for prisoners of war in general. In a time when war is played out on our television screens nightly, it is easy to become cynical, disconnected or indifferent. Then a film like this reminds you that these are the lives and portrayals of real people and real events. If The Great Escape is a film you have seen and enjoyed, I would thoroughly recommend getting your hands on this Special Edition to reacquaint yourself with the film and enjoy the increased appreciation and awareness you will garnish from the extras. If you haven't seen it, then you are in for a complete treat. With more than eight hours total viewing, it is without doubt a worthy addition to any collection.