Sporting one of the most impressive
International casts of all time this movie can be summed up in one word 'CLASSIC'.
Starring the legendary Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson,
the late Donald Pleasance and so on it entails the true story of a mass plan to escape not
only the camp but Nazi Germany as well via underground tunnels. A highly organized exodus
strung together by intricate co-ordination where
everyone involved has a job to do. Escaping from Germany using every means possible
whether it be by boat, plane, bike, motorcycle, or train. Filmed in 1963 this film has
immense popularity world-wide thus earning it's classic status, I loved it when I was a
youngster and have seen it many times. However after seeing 'real' portrayals of W.W.II
life e.g. 'Saving Private Ryan', 'Schindlers List' I watch it now with a sense of glossy
Hollywood cliché'. Why??? mainly because it's a film version of 'Hogans Heroes' , sort
of. The prisoners are not really ill-treated, the Nazi camp commander is sympathetic, the
prisoners well fed, well groomed and clean sitting around smoking
pipes in their sweaters etc. etc. This does not make it a bad film however and if you
don't take those points too seriously you'll enjoy it if you haven't seen it before. Of
course, this review would not be complete without mentioning the famous motorcycle pursuit
scene with Steve McQueen being pursued by the Nazi's, the DVD is worth watching for that
scene alone.
So How Does This Transfer Hold Up??
Overall the video transfer is good. MGM have done a good job. Whilst watching the DVD you
have to keep thinking that this was filmed in 1963!!!! long before I was born I can tell
you!!!! Colours are very good, detail is good, fleshtones look natural and the film is
generally free from film grain and dirt. But and of course there has to be a but, the film
is not anamorphically enhanced fur budgetary reasons I would guess and this is where we
have a few little problems.....two little words called shimmering & aliasing which due
to lack of 16x9 enhancement are rife through the film and can be annoying
after a while. But hey it's an old film so let's be fair to MGM. I don't think we will
ever see this film looking any better, certainly not on VHS anyhow.
Okay, let's talk audio. The main DVD audio track is
presented in Dolby Mono. Dialogue is easy to understand and no hiss or channel bleeding
was evident, it was also not edgy or too harsh as some mono soundtracks tend to be. Buy
hey did I tell you it was filmed in 1963 !!! I did okay, I'll step on...
Extras, extras a plenty here!. MGM comes through with
style. Included on the disc is a great 8 page colour booklet, an in-depth documentary on
the Making of the Great Escape, trailer, scene access & menu screen. The DVD also has
a great picture on the front of the actual disc of Steve McQueen on his motorcycle.
Overall, while not a true life portrayal of what life was
actually like in those horrid Nazi camps and in 1996 I was fortunate or unfortunate enough
to visit an actual Nazi prisoner of war camp in Germany this is a highly enjoyable and
suspenseful film. If you look past the glamorization abit then you'll love the DVD.
| PICTURE QUALITY |
5/10 too much shimmering and aliasing |
| SOUND QUALITY |
5/10 mono only & not harse or edgy |
| FEATURES |
8/10 plenty here!! |
Review Equipment
TV: Pioneer SD-T43W1 (16:9 RPTV)
DVD: Toshiba SD2109 (Region Free & S-Video)
Receiver: Yamaha RXV995
Speakers:-
Fronts: Polk Audio RT55's
Centre: Polk Audio CS350
Rears: Polk Audio AB705's (Ceiling mounted)
Subwoofer: M&K V125
- reviewed 4th December 1999 |
