The Great Escape, dir. John Sturges

We close this week's reviews on War Films with yet another set in a POW camp. Unlike Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, this episode highlights a Hollywood classic that has been considered a beloved war film since it's release: The Great Escape. Despite both films set in a POW camp, they couldn't be any more different. Lawrence shows the brutality, humiliation and cruelty that can happen in a camp, while Escape has a more charming, entertaining disposition. In fact, The Great Escape is more of a heist/comedy with action sprinkled in than a serious film about war. It has more in common with films like Ocean's Eleven than with The Deer Hunter. Despite that, the film has plenty of charming actors who make the film entertaining for it's near 3 hour runtime and it's something that you should watch and enjoy if you haven't already. The Wiz RECOMMENDS The Great Escape