Based on a true story; a large group of men attempt a bold and daring escape from the confines of a heavily-guarded prisoner-of-war camp during WWII.
Memorable, career-defining performances are witnesed through the wide angled lens of Daniel L. Fapp's camera, which doesn't allow for too many close-ups of the stars. Legendary stories of McQueen's off-set antics and a guaranteed slot on tv over the annual Christmas holidays in the UK, this ranks up there as one of the best war movies ever made. ~ The Lord

The best of the big war movies of the 60s. Hugely entertaining, great score, great stunts. McQueen's best role, perhaps. Terrific support from Donald Pleasence. Let down slightly by Bronson and Coburn, saddled with awful accents. A must have for all budding escapologists.~ The Sloth

See also Great Escape II, an unsuccessful sequel made in 1988.