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A review by kikiandarrowsfishshelf
The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill
5.0
There is something about the movie The Great Escape. It's more than just Steve McQueen and James Gardner. More than the fact that as you watch the movie, you go, "Look, it's James Coburn. Look, it's Charles Bronson! Look, it's David McCallum! Look, it's Hudson! Look, it's Attenborough. No, the other one!". It's more than that. The Great Escape is one of those that you can't help but watch. You might have seen two days ago, but hey, it's on again, and who doesn't like that motorcycle scene. I've even watched it when it's been shown with commericals. It's like Lawrence of Arabia, except with Lawrence, I know why I watch. OMAR!!!!! Young OMAR!!! When he rides up to the well. Sigh. I love that man in black.
Where was I?
The Great Escape, right. Maybe, it's because the director was smart enough to not have Hilts be one of the prisoners (only three) who escaped. There is something far more heroic about that.
I finally broke down and brought the movie on DVD, getting this book along with it. I was somewhat worried that the book wouldn't be as good as the movie.
I was wrong.
The book was as good as the movie.
I finally found out where that scar on Big X came from.
It is amazing how much of the movie is really, truly based on the book. True, some liberties are taken, such as the Americans and how the fifty are dealt with (both of which are understandable). But still. All the tunnel stories, even the ones that didn't work, are true. It's amazing. (I know, I've used that word too many times). Like the one about the mole tunnel, that was true.
What is even more interesting is what some of the recaptured prisoners had to put up with afterwards. Poor Wings Day. I don't know how he and the other five stood with happened to them.
My only negative comment applies to this edition. A list of people in the begining, like a character list, would've been helpful. There are plenty of people and a copy times, I had to flip back to make sure I had people straight.
Yet despite this, the book is a testimony to man's ingeunity and resilance. It illustrates what goes on at many different levels of command and how determined people can get something amazing done.
Where was I?
The Great Escape, right. Maybe, it's because the director was smart enough to not have Hilts be one of the prisoners (only three) who escaped. There is something far more heroic about that.
I finally broke down and brought the movie on DVD, getting this book along with it. I was somewhat worried that the book wouldn't be as good as the movie.
I was wrong.
The book was as good as the movie.
I finally found out where that scar on Big X came from.
It is amazing how much of the movie is really, truly based on the book. True, some liberties are taken, such as the Americans and how the fifty are dealt with (both of which are understandable). But still. All the tunnel stories, even the ones that didn't work, are true. It's amazing. (I know, I've used that word too many times). Like the one about the mole tunnel, that was true.
What is even more interesting is what some of the recaptured prisoners had to put up with afterwards. Poor Wings Day. I don't know how he and the other five stood with happened to them.
My only negative comment applies to this edition. A list of people in the begining, like a character list, would've been helpful. There are plenty of people and a copy times, I had to flip back to make sure I had people straight.
Yet despite this, the book is a testimony to man's ingeunity and resilance. It illustrates what goes on at many different levels of command and how determined people can get something amazing done.