I was really excited to see this, since I knew it was the seed of inspiration for my favorite series Hogan's Heroes. The similarities are astounding - from a tubby guard named Schultz to the "no escape" record of the Kommandant to the fraternizing and trading between prisoners and Germans. It was humorously incredible!
But the movie was as well, standing on its own. The opening scene with the overview of the huge prison camp really let us know what we were in for. I loved that they made a movie out of this concept. War and other dark subjects are frequently expounded and explained on film; the plight, struggles, hope, and humor of prisoners of war should get their share of attention from a civilian world that so often is ignorant of these military realities. A little introduction to this world can easily lead to more research, greater appreciation, and perhaps even a lifelong study (as what happened with me for my WWII appreciation, courtesy Hogan's Heroes).
But on with the movie - I was really surprised by the rich combination of drama and humor, laughter and poignancy, and of the brief character studies of many of the occupants of Barracks 4. Robert Strauss (as "Animal") and Harvey Lembeck (as Shapiro) really stole the show; their characters and acting really shine. The plot picks up about halfway through the film and doesn't let up from there. There are many memorable scenes (getting to the Russian women), laugh-out-loud moments (the reading of Mein Kamph), and heart-clutching moments (the lieutenant's interrogation).
The Collector Edition's accompanying mini-documentary on the real POWs of Stalag 17 puts the film in perspective and really made me appreciate what they went through.
Overall, a fantastic movie - rich and richly acted.
The granddaddy of POW movies, Billy Wilder's Stalag 17 is obviously as much in the DNA of The Great Escape as it is in that of Hogan's Heroes (or even M*A*S*H). We follow a group of American POWs in a German prison camp who suspect they have a spy among them. William Holden is the prisoner they suspect as he's a master trader, but are they right? What's striking (and ultimately the most influential) is just how much of the film's real estate is given over to barracks life and clownish shenanigans. Wilder juggles varying tones beautifully, allowing a lot of levity in what is essentially a World War II thriller, and yet never deflating the more dramatic scenes. The result is a comedy that comes from character and situation, and thus feels as real as the tense escape attempts or confrontations with deadly Nazis. Plenty of good moments - some ribald, some quiet, some exciting - and characters that will grow on you.
If you're a zealous fan of Hogan's Heroes then you'll laugh your socks off at how much that show borrowed material from this classic. Even some throwaway lines in the dialog would eventually become plotlines of entire episodes of Hogan and the gang which is just too funny. It's very well acted and the Billy Wilder touch is ever present. A top tiered war film and a good balance to the much more serious Great Escape.
I grew up watching this film on a bad VHS copy. Spending my youth in Germany I can say that it brought up some very interesting conversations with my parents. It's ties to the comedy series Hogans Heroes are obvious, but it's still a great POW movie.
Billy Wilder! Only he could make any movie he wanted to do, about any subject he wished, truly genius from Sunset Blvd (individual) to Stalag 17 on this case about WWII and the matter of part of human history, the approach was SUPERB
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Comments 1 - 15 of 19
gregmnewman
Some of the happiest and healthiest POWs ever seen, but who cares. Great film.inhonoredglory
I was really excited to see this, since I knew it was the seed of inspiration for my favorite series Hogan's Heroes. The similarities are astounding - from a tubby guard named Schultz to the "no escape" record of the Kommandant to the fraternizing and trading between prisoners and Germans. It was humorously incredible!But the movie was as well, standing on its own. The opening scene with the overview of the huge prison camp really let us know what we were in for. I loved that they made a movie out of this concept. War and other dark subjects are frequently expounded and explained on film; the plight, struggles, hope, and humor of prisoners of war should get their share of attention from a civilian world that so often is ignorant of these military realities. A little introduction to this world can easily lead to more research, greater appreciation, and perhaps even a lifelong study (as what happened with me for my WWII appreciation, courtesy Hogan's Heroes).
But on with the movie - I was really surprised by the rich combination of drama and humor, laughter and poignancy, and of the brief character studies of many of the occupants of Barracks 4. Robert Strauss (as "Animal") and Harvey Lembeck (as Shapiro) really stole the show; their characters and acting really shine. The plot picks up about halfway through the film and doesn't let up from there. There are many memorable scenes (getting to the Russian women), laugh-out-loud moments (the reading of Mein Kamph), and heart-clutching moments (the lieutenant's interrogation).
The Collector Edition's accompanying mini-documentary on the real POWs of Stalag 17 puts the film in perspective and really made me appreciate what they went through.
Overall, a fantastic movie - rich and richly acted.
Siskoid
The granddaddy of POW movies, Billy Wilder's Stalag 17 is obviously as much in the DNA of The Great Escape as it is in that of Hogan's Heroes (or even M*A*S*H). We follow a group of American POWs in a German prison camp who suspect they have a spy among them. William Holden is the prisoner they suspect as he's a master trader, but are they right? What's striking (and ultimately the most influential) is just how much of the film's real estate is given over to barracks life and clownish shenanigans. Wilder juggles varying tones beautifully, allowing a lot of levity in what is essentially a World War II thriller, and yet never deflating the more dramatic scenes. The result is a comedy that comes from character and situation, and thus feels as real as the tense escape attempts or confrontations with deadly Nazis. Plenty of good moments - some ribald, some quiet, some exciting - and characters that will grow on you.Big A2
Every Wilder movie I've seen thus far has a fantastic last line and this was no exepction.pramodc84
Fantastic, UnderratedTheMajor
I finally watched this, what a great movie. Only Wilder or Lubitsch could make something like this.Dieguito
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again,HURRAH HURRAH!!!
Dieguito
Awesome movie! It really surprised me as I have never heard about it, before seeing it in this site.. Cheers to icheckmovies!!jacktrewin
FANTASTIC. ive seen about 7 of billy wilder's films and there hasn't been one that i havent really liked or loved.George Bailey
Underrated as hell!DisneyStitch
If you're a zealous fan of Hogan's Heroes then you'll laugh your socks off at how much that show borrowed material from this classic. Even some throwaway lines in the dialog would eventually become plotlines of entire episodes of Hogan and the gang which is just too funny. It's very well acted and the Billy Wilder touch is ever present. A top tiered war film and a good balance to the much more serious Great Escape.Maxniceman
Brilliant, but it's definitely for the comedy list!jerthejerjer
I grew up watching this film on a bad VHS copy. Spending my youth in Germany I can say that it brought up some very interesting conversations with my parents. It's ties to the comedy series Hogans Heroes are obvious, but it's still a great POW movie.AdGuzman
Billy Wilder! Only he could make any movie he wanted to do, about any subject he wished, truly genius from Sunset Blvd (individual) to Stalag 17 on this case about WWII and the matter of part of human history, the approach was SUPERBmi-16evil
Damn Billy Wilder can make a charming movie!Showing items 1 – 15 of 19