Based on the true story of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the only German prisoner of war captured in Britain to escape back to Germany during the Second World War.
Hardy Krüger
Franz von Werra
Colin Gordon
Army Interrogator
Michael Goodliffe
R.A.F. Interrogator
Terence Alexander
R.A.F. Intelligence Officer
Jack Gwillim
Commandant, Grizedale
Andrew Faulds
Lieutenant, Grizedale
Julian Somers
Booking Clerk
Alec McCowen
Duty Officer, Hucknall
Harry Lockart
German Prisoner
Robert Crewdson
German Prisoner
George Mikell
German Prisoner
George Roubicek
German Prisoner
John Van Eyssen
German Prisoner
Richard Marner
German Prisoner
Frederick Jaeger
German Prisoner
Paul Hansard
German Prisoner
Peggy Ann Clifford
Train Conductor
Robert Cawdron
Officer on Horseback
Bernard Horsfall
Lieutenant - Kent
Glyn Houston
Harry 'Hurricane'
Stratford Johns
Second Detective
Robert Raglan
Bystander
Michael Ripper
The Corporal who Frisks Franz
Norman Rossington
Sergeant - Swanick
Reg Thomason
German Prisoner of War
Frank Williams
Station Porter
Reed De Rouen
Canadian Truck Driver
Jack Carter
Soldier (uncredited)
Director
Roy Ward Baker
Novel
James Leasor
Novel
Kendal Burt
Writer
Howard Clewes
April 4, 2022
7
Hardy Kruger is really good in this wartime adventure film. His portrayal of the real life Franz von Werra, the only German PoW to escape internment from the UK during WWII gives us some idea of the sheer determination of a man who tried, repeatedly, to gain his freedom before embarking on a tour of just about every nation on Earth to get back to Germany. He starts by making his captors a promise that he will escape in six months, and they just put that down to his Nazi superiority complex. Soon, though, they realise he is a clever and ingenious fellow who lacks nothing by way of cunning - despite the difficulties he faces. It's maybe a little bit long, but for the most part Kruger holds it together really effectively. Despite not being on our side, so to speak, as the film gathers momentum it is difficult not to respect the man and his achievements, particularly as it is not just his enemies that are after him, but the weather and terrain are also conspiring effectively against him too. The supporting cast - Michael Goodliffe and Colin Gordon especially - work well; the photography (Sweden not Canada) looks good; the dialogue is frequently quite pithy and by the end, well I rather liked the fellow!
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$0.00
Revenue:
$0.00