Colditz Story
| The Colditz Story | |
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Cinema release poster
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| Directed by | Guy Hamilton |
| Produced by | Ivan Foxwell |
| Written by |
Guy Hamilton Ivan Foxwell |
| Based on | The Colditz Story by Pat Reid |
| Starring |
John Mills Eric Portman Christopher Rhodes Ian Carmichael Lionel Jeffries |
| Music by | Francis Chagrin |
| Cinematography | Gordon Dines |
| Edited by | Peter Mayhew |
| Distributed by | British Lion Films |
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Release date
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Running time
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93 minutes |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ₤136,000. |
The Colditz Story is a 1955 prisoner of war film starring John Mills and Eric Portman and directed by Guy Hamilton.
It is based on the book written by Pat Reid, a British army officer who was imprisoned in Oflag IV-C, Colditz Castle, in Germany during the Second World War and who was the Escape Officer for British POWs within the castle.
During the Second World War, British, French, Dutch and Polish Prisoners of War (POWs) (along with other nationalities), who have made unsuccessful escape attempts are sent to Oflag IV-C when they are recaptured. This Renaissance castle in Saxony in the heart of Germany, acts as a secure holding place for the most troublesome allied captives.
At first, the different nationalities try to initiate their own independent escape plans, but these cause friction and conflict. Eventually, Colonel Richmond (Portman), the Senior British Officer, steps in and suggests co-operation between the different contingents via the appointment of a number of Escape Officers. An agreement is reached and coordinated escape plans are set in motion. But soon, these too fail via early detection by the German guards. Eventually, a spy is discovered amongst the Polish captives and, after his removal, escape plans run more smoothly.
The prisoners of Colditz are high-spirited and eager to needle the Germans. There are many escape attempts made, both planned and opportune. For example, prisoners tunnel underground, leapfrog over fences during physical training, hide in mattress being taken out of the camp. Some of these escapes are successful, some are not.
A British officer Mac McGill (Rhodes) comes up with a well thought out plan to escape disguised as German officers. The planning and preparation go well, but a few days before the escape attempt McGill is confronted by Colonel Richmond. The senior officer is concerned that McGill's extreme height (he is well over 6ft) will comprise his disguise and that of his fellow escapees. McGill is devastated by this blow, though he accepts the Colonel's judgement. On the eve of the escape, he makes a reckless attempt to scale a wire fence during daylight hours and is shot dead by German guards.
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Wikipedia