The setting is a prisoner of war camp for German soldiers, located in Scotland. A tough, cynical, hard drinking Irishman named Jack Connor (Brian Keith) is called in to help out camp officials, since there is now much unrest among the Nazis. Connor and the others realize that their prisoners are planning an elaborate escape, and Connor has an idea that could either lead to glory for him, or be a bad, bad mistake.
There are no true "heroes" and "villains" in this interesting, unusual, even-handed narrative, scripted by William W. Norton from the book by Sir Sidney Shelley. Rather, our protagonists and antagonists are equally wily opponents, trying to out-think each other. While ordinarily one wouldn't be rooting for the Nazis, you can't help but admire these characters' determination and ingenuity. As the story plays out, it becomes more and more a matter of a race against time, and it keeps the viewer riveted.
The characters are colourful and compelling. Both Keith, and Helmut Griem, as his primary foe, are flawed, but charismatic. They're both excellent, and receive very strong support from a cast including Ian Hendry (as the major in charge of the camp), Jack Watson, Patrick O'Connell, Horst Janson, Gregg Palmer, and Michael Sheard. The relationship between Keith and Hendry is kind of a thorny one, as they differ over methodology, but it's just as fascinating to watch them butt heads as it is to see Keith and Griem engage in their little chess game.
Granted, the camp personnel end up not looking very good since the Germans are able to pull off so much. But, overall, this is an over looked, and sometimes exciting, wartime film from a capable journeyman director, Lamont Johnson ("The Last American Hero", "One on One").
Eight out of 10.
There are no true "heroes" and "villains" in this interesting, unusual, even-handed narrative, scripted by William W. Norton from the book by Sir Sidney Shelley. Rather, our protagonists and antagonists are equally wily opponents, trying to out-think each other. While ordinarily one wouldn't be rooting for the Nazis, you can't help but admire these characters' determination and ingenuity. As the story plays out, it becomes more and more a matter of a race against time, and it keeps the viewer riveted.
The characters are colourful and compelling. Both Keith, and Helmut Griem, as his primary foe, are flawed, but charismatic. They're both excellent, and receive very strong support from a cast including Ian Hendry (as the major in charge of the camp), Jack Watson, Patrick O'Connell, Horst Janson, Gregg Palmer, and Michael Sheard. The relationship between Keith and Hendry is kind of a thorny one, as they differ over methodology, but it's just as fascinating to watch them butt heads as it is to see Keith and Griem engage in their little chess game.
Granted, the camp personnel end up not looking very good since the Germans are able to pull off so much. But, overall, this is an over looked, and sometimes exciting, wartime film from a capable journeyman director, Lamont Johnson ("The Last American Hero", "One on One").
Eight out of 10.