The Great Escaper

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By film-industry coincidence, true-tale Brit drama "The Great Escaper" is near identical in plot to the simultaneously released "The Last Rifleman", with Michael Caine (in what he SAYS will be his last role) as the 90+ WWII veteran who leaves his nursing home (and feisty wife Glenda Jackson in this case) to attend landing anniversary celebrations in Normandy - meeting various folk en route (in this case like John Standing) and becoming a news sensation. This one though (directed by Oliver Parker & written by William Ivory) is colder, harder & less charming than the other (and makes old age way less appealing btw). Of the two, "The Last Rifleman" is so much better.

The Great Escaper is a fitting send off for a pair of screen legends, turning a true story into a heartwarming charmer of a film that celebrates the bravery of a generation without shying away from the pain or horrors of war. Its final moments are the ideal way to end 2 magnificent careers. Michael Caine brings a disarming wit that always lands and since this is his final performance there's also plenty of emotional heft to it too. Glenda Jackson is equally charming, despite being stuck at home the whole time she still gets plenty of screen time and feels essential to the story. Other than an excessive amount of WW2 flashbacks interspersed throughout Oliver Parker's direction really works, the use of silence for the heavier moments is really effective. Craig Armstrong's score can get very repetitive however it's still got a lot of easygoing whimsy.

This is one of those films where it feels good to be able to express pride in the history of this country. It feels good to see a film that exemplifies this and honours Bernard and the veterans who fought in the war and follows his journey to France to commemorate the D day landings. It's poignant that it was Glenda Jackson's last film and also a reminder that this remarkable generation is aging and their lifetime experiences and sacrifices are being remembered. I appreciated the film although felt that it didn't truly reflect the past appropriately in dress and language. Modern attitudes towards use of swear words and also different racial groups at the time were different during the period. Another thing is the portrayal of the care home, I've been in lots of care homes and never seen one like this before where people can have twin rooms and the staff actually care and talk to their residents! Don't let us change how we see and feel about the past and this generation as it's only 80 years ago.

Knowing that this was the last film for both Michael and Glenda made it even more special. They played their characters to perfection, a married couple for 70 years with love that kept them together. We learn that after the war Michael's character, Bernard, did not talk about it and Glenda's character, Irene, did not ask as she knew it might break him. The escape itself is done eloquently with the staff at the care home playing their roles as expected, no fussing, matriarchal matron, happy go lucky medic and caring carer. As an aside, it was nice to see that the bikers got their comeuppance. Once Bernie gets to France he faced his demon as did the superb Sur John Standing, watch the film to understand more. It was not until the screen credits that I noticed how important the incidental music played its part, as did the moments of silence. What a waste says Bernie when he was at the war graves, how topical is that still? In all, a very thoughtful film, no expected surprises at the end either. After all, it's based on a true story.

I don't think my eyes were dry the entire time. There's something so raw and beautiful about this film. Paralleled by the fact that this is Cain's last film there's something quite poignant about that. Heartwarming, touching and funny when it needs to be, this is a beautiful retelling of the story. My only gripe, if you can call it a gripe is that some of the really touching moments felt a little too short. But I respect the fact that the director probably didn't want to intentionally draw them out to make them any more meaningful than they had to be. Please go see this film. And give your grandparents a hug afterwards. My Nan is 90 and I cannot wait to see her and tell her all about it tomorrow.

source: The Great Escaper