Evengyny Thanks for the memories!

Vashirdfel Simply A Masterpiece

Lawbolisted Powerful

GarnettTeenage The film was still a fun one that will make you laugh and have you leaving the theater feeling like you just stole something valuable and got away with it.

IMDBcinephile Guy Hamilton reconstructs an account based on the Highly Secure German Camp back in the 40's. It's has a lot of the schema that would be utilized 8 years later in "The Great Escape" and its escape scene has been subject to affectionate parody (e.g. The Simpsons). Let it suffice to say though that not a lot of people are aware of this film; it's an archaic film definitely, and it has sufficiently identifiable characters under an oppressive system. One of them are even thrown into solitary confinement due to the ruthless attempt of escaping and getting in the way of the French. Even in the face of peril, one man tried to escape but was unfortunately caught by bullets - It's too militarized to be subverted.It is divided into the French, Dutch, Polish and English (the English are the ones to triumph in this picture)Pat Reid (John Mills) and Mac McGill (Christopher Rhodes) are two English people, who contravene the rules in order to give people their home run. It can be humorous, in places where they sneer at the Germans and it really is poignant and terrifying how convincingly shot it can be as well.It plots a lot on the German Leader, the interpreter and the Commanding Officers who rule the place with an iron fist and a totalitarian output. A lot of the time, the movie can become quite boring, and fall flat in places feeling dormant (for example: when they're discussing the obvious about the escape plan, the bit where they all walk in single file rows, the beginning scenes setting everything up in respective order, the bit when they try to pick the escapist- craftsman leader, and when you get jolted back up with a slight bit of exhilaration, it gets to the scheming bits and so on that become more interesting (to me at least)). However they are never under any malaise and hide it behind a sardonic exterior, always lurking, and it makes the movie moving somewhat; the bit when one of the prisoners is questioned about this plan, and he then expounds about Lewis Carrol's "Alice and Wonderland" about how she got bigger by eating was establishing a lighter tone to the gritty movie it could have easily been. I do think it to be in my best interest to give this 5, as I think the struggle is handled quite well, but that the movie is befell with some boring sequences, and that it can make you weary about continuing it. But it is still, for me personally, able to objectify me to much of hardships and much of the pretenses established in these times. The accuracy of the movie is dubious however, but from what you see it leaves you without any doubt. It's also not a technically sophisticated movie. The lighting can be a bit underexposed, but this is perhaps deliberately done to give the notion of an unadulterated base and giving it that simply.Guy Hamilton was tinkering around with the movie in a way that is distinctive from other movies that I have seen from that time; John Mills was in another movie in 1958 called "Ice Cold in Alex" and at this point I have yet to see this movie. But it is produced by the same place "British War"... and now I have to be firm about what I think about this movie as a war film: I do like War Films, such as Lean's "Bridge on the River Kawaii" and Kubrick's "Paths of Glory"; seeing this in the same light as "The Colditz Story", I would say that it didn't pace me up with excitement as those other two movies did. Those movies evoked the fears and they tampered with the situation; however, here I knew the outcome. But still even in saying that, I was still really invested in the characters and I felt satisfied after watching it. But it is not one of the greatest war films that I have seen, and nor will it ever stand out that way to me. But I think this one should be looked at and I do recommend it for those who are looking for a true story and want to be swayed away into looking at it.

Neil Doyle THE COLDITZ STORY takes artistic license with facts and the sequence of events, as noted in the foreword, but manages to hold interest when it concentrates on the fortunes of its chief escape officer, JOHN MILLS, and his various experiences with the prisoners and their national rivalries with each other.Aside from some stereotyped Nazi humor at the expense of stupid guards and the usual assortment of prisoners, the story maintains humor and suspense in equal measure as the men try to tunnel their way to freedom while under the scrutiny of their German captors. Characters are not deeply explored, but ERIC PORTMAN does a standout job as Colonel Richmond and JOHN MILLS is excellent as the real-life escape prisoner Pat Reid.BRYAN FORBES, IAN CARMICHAEL and LIONEL JEFFRIES are fine in support. Unfortunately, ANTON DIFFRING has little to do as officer Fischer nor does THEODORE BIKEL as one of the POWs.As escape films go, this POW film is taut with suspense toward the last escape try but a bit flabby in the telling for the most part. Other such films have managed to cover the same territory with more excitement and suspense.You might call it a low-key story based on true incidents given a rather routine treatment despite some fine performances.

TheLittleSongbird I don't think The Colditz Story is the best of the PoW films, but it is still a very well done film all the same. I don't think the film is flawless, I think it could have been longer to give more depth to the characters(though there is evidence of that) and the film could have focused a bit more on the psychology of imprisonment like the TV series did.Any faults aside, what I did love about The Colditz Story was the action. The Colditz Story has a carefully-constructed story about the daring escapes of the prisoners, and the action that forms this story is very well played, with a perfect balance of being tense in some scenes and music-hall jolly in others. The dialogue is thoughtful and quite literate, while Guy Hamilton who went on to greater projects since(primarily Goldfinger, my personal favourite of the Bond films) does a solid job directing.The Colditz Story is beautifully shot and has the suitably foreboding German prison of the title to add to any authenticity, and there is a stirring and evocative music score too and the pacing ensures that there is very rare a dull moment. The acting is very strong, John Mills is perfectly cast, and Eric Portman also gives a performance worth of note. Ian Carmichael, Bryan Forbes and Lionel Jeffries successfully portray their heroic prison inmate characters too.All in all, a very well-done film that despite any small imperfections deserves to be better known. 8/10 Bethany Cox

sandra small From today's perspective, the film; The Colditz Story is like that of a reality TV show competition premised on escape methods. The man with the most original escape plan gets the prize, which is that of his freedom from the Colidiz Castle.As such this film seems shallow on the surface. With no depth to the plot the characters are not as convincing, which serves to undermine excellent acting from the likes of Eric Portman and Sir John Mills.However, what the film articulates well is the relaxed attitude of the Nazi guards, and their almost convivial attitude to their British POW foes. Of course the relaxed attitude of the Nazi guards could be in part to do with the self belief they were allotted via the consumption of Nazi propaganda. In this respect 'propaganda' serves as a dangerous weapon of 'self destruction'.In sum this is a film worth watching, but not the best POW film made hitherto.