The Great Great Escape
I happened to catch on TV yesterday the second-best movie of all time (after The Princess Bride, of course). The Great Escape is one of those movies where if you’re going to watch five minutes of it, you might as well commit to the whole three and a half hours.
What makes it so spectacular? The writing, of course. And the acting. All those huge stars in one prison camp together–James Garner, Steve McQueen, Sir Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence–the list goes on. Great direction and editing. Plus the story is just so outrageously manly and courageous. Even though some of those men are doomed, you still wish you could be them. I particularly wish I could be Henley–also known as “The Scrounger”–played by James Garner. He’s just so American–casual, confident, able to snag them a camera and bolts of cloth and other impossible supplies without a lot of discussion or fanfare. His attitude is generally one of “I’m on it.” Love that.
I also love the pluckiness of Roger, played by Richard Attenborough. When Steve McQueen breaks it to him that the tunnel is twenty feet short of the woods, one of the other men starts freaking out. “How the devil! But we measured–” Roger breaks in with, “What difference does it make? It’s happened.” And then they move on to Plan B. Gotta love that kind of cold-eye realism in the face of disaster. Of course, he gets gunned down by the Gestapo in the end, but it was a good run while it lasted.
I suppose Steve McQueen was the one most men wish they could be. He’s so swaggering and cocky–plus he gets to ride a motorcycle in the end. But you can keep your Steve. I’m Henley.
Technorati Tags: The Great Escape, James Garner, Steve McQueen, Sir Richard Attenborough, Movies, Films
August 8th, 2006 at 6:44 pm
“Donald Pleasance is doing forgeries on bits of tin can with a bit of jam. Clang! And on the day of the escape, they’re all there, and Steve McQueen has joined up in the escape, and the British have trilby hats on, overcoats, canoe, a bit of a rabbit… And Steve’s just there in jeans and a T-shirt, disguised as an American man! He romps out, jumps in a motorbike, knocks a guy off, and within 15 minutes, he’s in the borders of Switzerland. This is from Poland! And if you don’t know the geography, it goes Poland, Czechoslovakia, Holland, Venezuela, Africa, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon… and then Switzerland, where the Nazi gold comes from.”
Great movie, indeed!!!
August 8th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
Yeah. Exactly.
August 8th, 2006 at 7:43 pm
Sorry, that was presumptive… have you seen Eddie Izzard’s Dress to Kill stand-up special? Because if not, it needs to be on the top of your list. You should go out right now and rent it. RIGHT NOW.
August 8th, 2006 at 8:37 pm
Um, it’s raining. Can this wait?
August 8th, 2006 at 8:46 pm
No, definitely not! You must get this DVD as soon as humanly possible!!!
(Trust me, you will understand after you watch it.)
August 9th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
lizzie, i don’t get the connection but will nonetheless obey your command and report back–”ma’am yes ma’am!”