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From Amazon.co.uk
During the Second World War the Germans put many of the Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs) who had proved consistent escapees together in a maximum security fortress, the very name of which became a legend. Based on the book by Colditz escapee Major Pat Reid, The Colditz Story (1957) documents the further, sometimes successful, escape attempts of these extraordinarily brave, resourceful and indomitable men. Starring John Mills, Eric Portman, Bryan Forbes and Anton Diffring, and co-written and directed by Guy Hamilton, who later made The Battle of Britain (1969), this is a sober, even-handed account, that is gripping and informative, yet not without humour. Sterling performances from the cast of stalwart actors adds up to a British cinema classic. Such is the fascination of Colditz that in 1972-3 the BBC made a very successful drama series staring Jack Hedley, Bernard Hempton, Robert Wagner and David McCallum, while in 2000 Channel 4 offered a superb three-part documentary, Escape from Colditz. In contrast to the semi-documentary feel of The Colditz Story David Lean's classic The Bridge on the River Kwai, from the same year, is an epic and powerful account of POW life in barbaric Japanese prison camps. --Gary S. Dalkin
Product Description
Wartime docu-drama starring John Mills, Eric Portman and Lionel Jeffries, re-telling the experiences of Allied prisoners-of-war who were held in Colditz Castle. These POWs were strictly monitored as they were a high risk category and had constantly tried to escape whichever prison they where previously placed in. Despite being outnumbered by their guards, the prisoners of Colditz continued to achieve their goal - freedom. The film inspired the 1972 TV series 'Colditz'.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
A gripping yarn that provides a smjorgasbord of Colditz escape stories. The events portrayed are generally accurate, the acting is first-class (well, just look at the cast!) and the viewer is left with a feeling of "Well done, chaps! That's one on the nose for Jerry!"
Although I had seen this movie when it was a theatre release, this was purchased after I watched the recent TV "mini-series" on Colditz done by the BBC. The film is as enjoyable now as it was all those many years ago.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
British pluck, resourcefulness and courage, exemplified by John Mills
12 Jun 2007
Format:DVD
The Colditz Story was one of a number of movies the British made during the Fifties which relived the victories and bravery of their armed services during WWII. Often these movies starred John Mills. The Colditz Story is based on fact. Colditz Castle in Germany was used to imprison the most incorrigible prisoners-of-war, those who persistently made escape attempts. British, French, Polish and Dutch officers were sent there. Unfortunately for the Germans, they wound up trying to keep inside men dedicated to escaping, and who had skills they now could share. The result was that more prisoners of war escaped from Colditz than from any other prisoner of war camp in either the First or Second World Wars.
The movie is based on the memoirs of Pat Reid (John Mills), who served as an escape officer at Colditz and then was one of the first to break out and make it back to England. While the movie is a bit dated, it also is a dramatic and efficient telling of escape attempts, ruses played against the German captors and, of course, of the unfailing courage and good spirits of the British officers. Take the film for what it is, a demonstration for British audiences of the pluck and courage of their military during a horrendously threatening war which they won, and you won't be disappointed.
If you're fond of old British movies, you'll recognize, among others, Eric Portman, Lionel Jeffries, Bryan Forbes and Ian Carmichael. The DVD I saw has a picture and audio in very good shape considering the age of the movie.
The movie is based on the memoirs of Pat Reid (John Mills), who served as an escape officer at Colditz and then was one of the first to break out and make it back to England. While the movie is a bit dated, it also is a dramatic and efficient telling of escape attempts, ruses played against the German captors and, of course, of the unfailing courage and good spirits of the British officers. Take the film for what it is, a demonstration for British audiences of the pluck and courage of their military during a horrendously threatening war which they won, and you won't be disappointed.
If you're fond of old British movies, you'll recognize, among others, Eric Portman, Lionel Jeffries, Bryan Forbes and Ian Carmichael. The DVD I saw has a picture and audio in very good shape considering the age of the movie.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By philip foy
Format:Blu-ray
This is a very good film,and very faithfull to the book that was written by Pat Ried.The blu ray transfer is excellent considering the age of this movie 1955.The director Guy Hamilton does a great job with this,by the way he went on to do Goldfinger and Live and let die to name but a few.The documentary on this is also excellent,plus you get a comparrison of before and after HD upgrade.All in all a very good blu ray,well worth adding to your collection,may i also recommend the definative colditz series the BBC did that series is amazingly good.
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3.6 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Colditz Story DVD
My husband has the complete series of the Colditz story. I bought this because I knew he would love the film, not disappointed, a great film.
Published 4 days ago by melanie ritchie
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
It was exactly as I remembered it when watching for the first time years ago.
Good reproduction of picture and sound,
Good reproduction of picture and sound,
Published 26 days ago by Sandi Nuttall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Colditz
A great second world war pison story based on true events within the Colditz castle.
The plots are both humerous and interesting played by some of the best actors of the... Read more
The plots are both humerous and interesting played by some of the best actors of the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by John Graham
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really enjoyable. ++++
It had been a long time since we'd see this but it is still a good film, but the extra footage about the real people in Colditz and the making of the film was excellent.
Published 4 months ago by Helen
3.0 out of 5 stars
not very good
it was not has good as I expected when saw first time round at the cinema it was exciting but looked so out of date now
Published 5 months ago by B. E. Parker
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not Quite The Colditz Story
At the beginning of The Colditz Story we are informed that the events depicted are true. While Pat Reid's books upon which this film is based give an in-depth account of events at... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Eddie
4.0 out of 5 stars
British War Films at their best.
I collect the Older British War Films and this is quite a good one and being John Mills it always has a class of it's own. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Oliver
3.0 out of 5 stars
Army pluck, resourcefulness and courage
The movie is based on the memoirs of Pat Reid (John Mills), who served as an escape officer at Colditz and then was one of the first to break out and make it back to England. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Lord Anon
5.0 out of 5 stars
CLASSIC BRITISH CINEMA
Wonderful film that depicts the great resilience of spirit to overcome apparently impossible obstacles and spiritual despair from captivity. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Hunter S Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clodiz story
a good film one that you can never realy tire of always\abitthat you missdthe last time you watched it some think for the family on a cold winters night, good story good acting by... Read more
Published 12 months ago by his royal higness
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