The Colditz Story

An escape film set in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Second World War. Colditz is a castle in Germany. The Germans set it aside for officers who had already tried to escape repeatedly, which means everyone inside is among the most stubborn. The result is not what was intended: gathered together, these men learn from each other. The first half is about a problem. The British, French, Dutch and Polish groups plan separately and keep wrecking each other's attempts without knowing it. The solution is a joint escape committee. After that it is method: digging tunnels, sewing uniforms, forging documents, covering a missing man at roll call. The narrative shows all of it in detail and its humour comes from there. The story is true. The source is a book by an officer who was held there and got out. John Mills plays Pat Reid. Guy Hamilton directed; he later became known for the James Bond films. One of the genre's early examples for anyone who likes wartime escape films and British classics. For a viewer expecting a realistic picture of captivity, the film lightens its weight and the register is mostly optimistic.