2023 production the great escapee Have it all. There were laughs, there were tears, and by the end of the movie, it felt good. Don’t believe me? Just ask McCain. That’s the word he uses to describe this “based on real life” story.
story
Old age pensioner Bernie Jordan (played by Kane) lives with his wife Eileen (played by the late Glenda Jackson). They are in a nursing home. Bernie, a Royal Navy veteran of the Normandy landings in World War II, wanted to attend the 70th anniversary ceremony.
in France.
Irene allowed him, and Bernie set off for France. Along the way, he meets another veteran. RAF pilot Arthur Howard Johnson will also attend the ceremony for the first time.
Back in England, there was panic in nursing homes. The police were notified that Bernie was missing.
it works:
behind the camera
Actor/writer/producer William Ivory captures the adventurous spirit of Bernard Jordan. As shown in the picture the great escapeeIn 2014, the former Royal Navy veteran traveled to Normandy alone. Ivory allows us to see the story behind the stories that so fascinate the media.
Reading between the lines, this could be seen as an attempt to calm the demons for all those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Director Oliver Parker holds the whole thing together with admirable deftness. He keeps the pace consistent with the elderly group among the protagonists. Even in the flashbacks, the pacing is almost languid. It fits the story perfectly.
Parker’s direction is nearly flawless thanks to the excellent collaboration between cinematographer Christopher Ross and editor Paul Tohill.
Craig Armstrong’s music is spot on. Whether it’s reliving the past, good or bad, or setting the scene for the present, music moves us Feel Every moment.
Nick Palmer and Charlotte Hutchings handle production design and art direction respectively, and they work like a team that executes well. Coupled with Ellie Pash’s set direction and Emma Friel’s costume design, every bit of the film looks authentic.
These people united to make the great escapee Works like a well-adjusted watch.
in front of camera
Before I praise the actors and their performances, I have to talk about that dance sequence. In the original dance part, the band leader: played by Paul Bigley, who bears a strong resemblance to the multi-talented Eric Sykes. If ever a program needed a guy like Sykes, Bigley would be that guy.
It goes without saying that Caine, the late Dame Glenda Jackson and John Standing (who plays an alcoholic ex-RAF pilot) command the screen almost effortlessly. These different types of veterans know their craft. *Kane is also a veteran. He fought in the Korean War as a British conscript. He talked about this experience in his first autobiography)
Other actors cleverly stood up and paid tribute to the real Bernie Jordan on the cricket field.
Laura Marcus and Will Fletcher; young Erin and Bernie all brought a certain magic to the proceedings. This romantic story set during the war is almost breathtaking in its simplicity and sincerity.
Victor Oisin plays Scott; an Army veteran who has experienced another war defines his role. As a physically and mentally damaged ex-soldier who wants to help, he Feel real.
Finally: Henrich, played by Wolf Kahler, deserves a lot of credit for using a lifetime of experience as a character actor to almost steal the scene in the hotel. Kahler, a veteran of more than 114 films, has almost no dialogue, but he doesn’t need it. The casting chose this actor wisely which helps the story. #nosmallparts
Judgment
the great escapee A solid five-star treat. With a running time of 1 hour and 37 minutes, the delivery was slow enough that we could savor every bite of this delicious little dish. Sadly, no streaming platform offers the film. It can be ordered via the Internet, but please check your regional settings before purchasing.
Mandatory trailer
Relevant
Learn more from Mike’s Movie Talk
Subscribe to have the latest posts delivered to your email.