100 Greatest Movies of All Time...That I Own. # 40 ~ The Great Escape

And the Countdown rolls on!

Thanks to Casey Kasem as I bring this thing home with the Top 40!

My appreciation to those of you who have endured the last 60 days of doing this alongside me.  I do appreciate all of the comments here and on Facebook.

: )



My two favorite war movies, back to back.

The Great Escape is based on a true story by Paul Brickhill (read the book...recommended!) where he amalgamates his fellow P.O.W.s to relate what they went through to escape what the Nazis had determined to be the ultimate escape-proof prison.

So proud and confident of their design, they literally courted trouble by bringing in nothing but the worst of the worst...

All of the prisoners who had previously been a thorn in the Nazi's side were brought together under one roof, to break their will and prove that escape was impossible.

Beware of boasting, as it often leads to "the Titanic Syndrome".

Sure enough, putting all of these eggs in one basket presented the Allies with an irresistible option:

Prove that escape was not only possible, they were going to send more prisoners over the wall...theoretically...than ever before.

The Germans would spend so much manpower and time finding the prisoners, it would help hamper their ability to fight on the front lines.

And, for those who are not aware of the movie, or history...

They were right.

However, the price that they paid to undertake this mission was high indeed.

The undertaking these men shoulder is monumental in scope and impressive in audacity.  That it was actually pulled off is a triumph of willpower and sheer bravado.

If you've never watched it, by all means, see it!

If it's been awhile, watch it again.  The performances by this all-star cast are impeccable.

Steve McQueen gets most of the spotlight, and the cool action sequences, but I am partial to James Garner's portrayal of the scrounger in the film.

John Sturges makes his first of two directorial appearances on the countdown.  We'll visit his second all-star epic tomorrow.

I can't say enough good things about this film.

It could easily make my Top 25, but it's long and I rarely get the time to watch it, or an audience that enjoys it as much as I do.

But that's okay, it still makes the countdown, and I'm okay with that.

Here's to Tom, Dick, and Harry!