The Great Escape1963The Great Escape
1963
In 1943, the Germans gather the Allied prisoners most likely to escape into a new camp, Stalag Luft III. The prisoners plan a mass breakout of 250 men through three tunnels.
For children old enough to talk it through: sustained intensity, or language or sexual content that Common Sense Media rates 7–9.
Why it’s here
A true story of men who considered escape their duty, with ingenuity and camaraderie in captivity.
Context notes
For parents, before you press play.
Many escapees are recaptured and fifty are executed by the Gestapo (shown with machine guns, little blood), which is very sad, and the chases and shootings are tense. The prisoners' homemade moonshine and smoking go unaddressed.
The Great Escape (1963)
Discussion questions
When the credits end, go around the room. Each person gives the film a score out of ten and says why.
- Why did the prisoners think escaping was their duty?
- Who was your favorite member of the escape team, and why?
- How did the men help each other?
- Was the escape worth the cost?
Content advisory
Common Sense Media 8+: very tense moments, characters in peril, and many killed; some drinking and smoking.
Trailer
Best edition
The disc comes first.
The Great Escape 4K Blu-ray (4K Ultra HD)
4K · January 11, 2022
Coming later
Where to stream
Streaming services are not listed yet. When they are, this note stays secondary to the disc.