The Great Escape (1963) *****

A true classic with one of the greatest casts ever assembled. The Great Escape is almost a reunion of sorts with John Sturges reuniting Steve McQueen, Jame Coburn, and Charles Bronson from 1960's The Magnificent Seven. Through in James garner, Donald Pleasence, and Richard Attenborough and you get one of thos three hour movies that doesn't feel like a three hour movie.
The Germans have "put all their bad apples in one basket" by putting all the POW escape artists in one camp. This turns into their downfall because you have people who are practically professional escape artists all together in one spot and their ingenuity leads them to commit "the great escape".
With a cast like this you can't complain about the acting. The standout in the film is Charles Bronson, who plays the "tunnel king". Sturges directs the action confidently and the tension even on repeated viewings is almost unbearable.
As I said, this is one of those rare three hour movies that doesn't feel like three hours. You're clamoring for more when the credits start to role.