This is a favorite movie of mine. Early on there is a scene where McQueen meets "Big X" (Richard Attenborough), and he puts on a sort of 'tard expression, with eyes slightly crossed and mouth agape; it never fails to make me laugh.
Donald Pleasance, who played Blythe the Forger in the movie, was actually a POW in a German camp himself during WWII.
ETA: One thing I read (on IMDB, I think) was that the whole scene with McQueen jumping the fence...that scene was completely and totally ad-libbed. It wasn't supposed to be in the movie at all, there was supposed to be a lot more chase sequence followed by him getting nabbed at a Swiss border checkpoint. Between scenes, he was jacking around with his motorcycle and decided "hey, I can jump that!" A cameraman filmed it, and they loved it so much they just called "cut" and kept it in. Which is why there's no Germans nearby when he jumps, but when you see him all tangled up in the barbed wire, there's several running towards him (to check and see if he's okay).
Oops. Posted my comment on the wrong thread.
ReplyDeleteThis is a favorite movie of mine. Early on there is a scene where McQueen meets "Big X" (Richard Attenborough), and he puts on a sort of 'tard expression, with eyes slightly crossed and mouth agape; it never fails to make me laugh.
Donald Pleasance, who played Blythe the Forger in the movie, was actually a POW in a German camp himself during WWII.
One of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteIt's not just about Allies vs. Axis, it's about triumph of the Human Spirit!
Thanks,
gfa
Awesome movie! Found an extended-anniversary-edition at Target awhile back....$5. Of course I bought it!
ReplyDelete***spoiler alert***
ReplyDeleteETA: One thing I read (on IMDB, I think) was that the whole scene with McQueen jumping the fence...that scene was completely and totally ad-libbed. It wasn't supposed to be in the movie at all, there was supposed to be a lot more chase sequence followed by him getting nabbed at a Swiss border checkpoint. Between scenes, he was jacking around with his motorcycle and decided "hey, I can jump that!" A cameraman filmed it, and they loved it so much they just called "cut" and kept it in. Which is why there's no Germans nearby when he jumps, but when you see him all tangled up in the barbed wire, there's several running towards him (to check and see if he's okay).
Great one!!!
ReplyDeleteSteve had a brass pair
ReplyDeleteGreat movie!
ReplyDelete