Customer Ratings & Reviews

The film was to a fair extent a work of fiction, based on the real events but with numerous compromises made for purposes of commercial appeal, serving as a vehicle for its box-office stars. While many of its characters were fictitious and events glossed over, most were amalgams of several real characters and many were based on real people. There were no escapes by aircraft or motorcycle: the motorcycle sequence was a request from McQueen, an avid motorcyclist, who did the stunt riding himself except for the final jump (done by Bud Ekins). Nor were the recaptured prisoners executed in one place at the same time. The screenwriters significantly increased the involvement of American POWs; the real escape was by largely British and other allied personnel. A few American officers in the POW camp initially contributed towards construction of the tunnels, and worked on the early escape plans; however, American personnel were moved to a remote compound seven months before the escape, ending their involvement. As well, the film suggests the three prisoners who escaped to freedom were British, Polish, and Australian; in reality, they were Norwegian (Jens Müller & Per Bergsland) and Dutch (Bram van der Stok) The film omits mention of the crucial role Canadians played in the construction of the tunnels and the escape itself. Of the 1,800 or so POWs in the compound, 600 were involved in preparations for the escape; 150 of these were Canadian. Wally Floody, an RCAF pilot and mining engineer who was the real-life "tunnel king", was engaged as a technical advisor for the film. Ex-POWs asked film-makers to exclude details about the help they received from their home countries, such as maps, papers, and tools hidden in gift packages, lest it jeopardise future POW escapes. The film-makers complied.

This is a truly marvelous film and has been a favorite of mine for many years. I’m glad I now finally own it and it looks better than ever now in 4K. Great transfer and definitely worth the upgrade.

This is among a select few movies I can watch over and over. This is a true classic - Steve McQueen, James Garner, David McCallum (Ducky on NCIS) - too many stars to name - many of which you would say, "Oh, yeah, I recognize him/her!" This is one for the collection!

the coolest steve mcqueen there has ever been. a classic that doesn't age

Actually this movie came out great in picture quality and the audio was good. Of course this is just my personal opinion. Everybody will have a different like or dislike review.

Such a classic film! Great way to have a family movie night escape

My absolute favorite movie. N I hdr but good picture

I mainly purchased this movie in 4K not because I don't already have it but I have it on DVD and I have a LG C2 77 OLED TV. If you have a 77 inch OLED TV if you ever tried to watch a DVD you"ll know why I purchased this version. Not many older movies of this age available and this is one of my favorite movies. What this version does is makes it possible to watch this movie on my larger OLED TV but by no means do I find the 4K thrilling like you would on a movie that originally came out in 4K. The movie however is worth getting so I can watch it on my larger 4K TV.

One of the great films of the 60’s era now upgraded to 4K. There is a very noticeable improvement in PQ. With a lot more detail in many scenes now more discernible while retaining an organic look. It is worth it to get the 4K for the vast improvement in resolution and color grading. The audio which included a dts -HD master audio 5.1 option was fine but not a significant improvement from the best blu ray editions now available for this film. If you like this excellent movie though then this 4K is now the best option available and is highly recommended.

The 4K release of The Great Escape has provided me with a new appreciation for a great film from my youth. I vividly remember the excitement of watching this movie on the big screen, and now, with this new release, I can experience all the drama and tension I felt all those years ago. Excellent picture and sound are now available to me any time I want with this marvelous release. Highly recomended!

I saw this film when it was first shown in the theaters in 1963 and have been a fan ever since. Great adventure story that is mostly true to the facts if you read the book "The Great Escape" the film is based on. The tunnels really did feature tracks, a rope pulled cart, and electric lights. Of course Hollywood embellished some aspects but the film is still exciting and this blu ray version represents an upgrade. I bought this to replace the standard CD version I owned and can report the colors are more vibrant and the image clarity improved. The details of the uniforms and barracks interiors really stand out. For my money the most noticeable improvement is in the sound quality. Dialog and ambient camp sounds are clearer and the wonderful opening score is really thrilling. The only down side is the extra features are not upgraded to hi def quality but that is a quibble. Overall I am happy with this purchase.

I have the Bluray. I had the DVD and, yet, when I stumble on it while watching TV, I'll sit there and watch it again. It's based on a true story but would not bet that it's historically accurate. For ex., in reading about WWII, have not seen/heard where anyone jumped a motorcycle over a barbed wire fence. Still a fun watch.

I have it in Blu-ray but I had to get it in 4k. The video transferred over into 4K was excellent, enough to where you would want to watch it again sometime soon after, or after a period.

Always look in the bargain bin. You never know what treasure you will find such as this classic now in 1080p. Imprisoned during World War II in a German POW camp, a group of Allied soldiers are intent on breaking out, not only to escape, but also to draw German forces away from battle to search for fugitives. Among the prisoners determined to escape are American Captain Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen) and British Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough). Outwitting their captors by digging a tunnel out of the prison grounds, the soldiers find the stakes much higher when escape becomes a reality.

1963's "The Great Escape" is a Hollywood classic about a group of British and American POW's who attempt to escape from an escape-proof German stalag in 1943. Led by a remarkable cast that includes Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, and James Coburn, the film accurately depicts what life in a German POW camp was like and how badly prisoners wanted to escape from it. The movie clocks in at a little under 3 hours, but the viewer will be so engrossed in the film that it will seem much less than that. Highly recommended for WWII film buffs who want to add a classic to their collection!

So I bought this because of it being held in such high regard. I'd never seen the movie before and had high hopes, but man I really hated the end and in retrospect the whole movie. Presentation is magnificent. Picture quality, sound was all really good for an older movie but man, it doesn't play out like you except. I also found some of the score to be out of place. Like sad stuff going on with upbeat music. It was just weird. 4 stars because it was ok just not for me

Simply great. I watched this movie back in the 1970’s and to see it in 4K was fantastic. Steve McQueen,James Gardner and the rest of the actors were great. I served in the Military in the early 1970’s and it was great to see this movie.

Excellent World War II movie. Amazing international cast of actors. Of course my favorite be the king of cool myself Steve McQueen. Watch it ever time I find it on tv. Very glad to have in my collection now.

Finally in 4K. This is one of the all time classic movies. Steve McQueen and motorcycles… AWESOME COMBINATION, and his acting ability is second to known.

best war movie ever made. Steve Mcqueen best movie role the entire cast at there best