The Great Escape might be the
greatest cinematic paradox of all time. It ends quite tragically, with scores of
characters we have come to know and care about getting executed by the National
Socialists. Yet, it is a totally rip-roaring, thoroughly entertaining movie that
never fails to lift the spirits. Perhaps that is because the prisoners of Stalag
Luft III most definitely accomplished their goal: they gave the Germans Hell.
Fifty-five years after its initial release, it remains a perennial favorite
among movie lovers. To celebrate the film, a group of fans and movie historians
make a pilgrimage to the original Bavarian locations in Gary Espenan’s The Coolest Guy Movie Ever: Return to the Scene of the Great Escape (trailer
here),
which releases today on DVD and VOD.
Surprisingly,
Espenan’s film is nearly as archaeological as Paul Goldsmith’s Island of Blue Dolphins doc. There is a
great deal of searching for locations, using primary documents and archival
photos. Due to an agreement worked out between the producers and the German Interior
Department, the sight of the prison camp location is now unrecognizable and
essentially untraceable. In return for permission to temporarily clear forest
land, the production agreed to replant two trees in exchange for each one they
chopped down. It is frustrating for Espenan’s team, but it is rather gratifying
to see our fellow Yanks were so true to their word.
They
have better luck identify the locations seen during the third act scramble for
freedom. Of course, the motorcycle chase gets special attention, because obviously.
There is not a heck of a lot of behind-the-scenes dishing going on, but fans
will be happy to hear Steve McQueen basically charmed the pants off the locals.
In fact, the film only further burnishes McQueen’s personal and professional
reputation.
