Remembrance Day, the 11th month of the 11th day of the 11th hour is very special to me as is to many Canadians because it is to honour the men and women who fought in the wars. Canadians came into their own during World War 1 defeating the Germans at Vimy Ridge when the British could not. I thought I would choose films that took place in prisoner of war camps and there are many! I chose these 3…
1. LE GRANDE ILLUSION-1937
I love this French film that takes place in a Prisoner of war camp in some German castle during World War 1. You have the elite, French officer, played by Pierre Fresnay with the workman, played by the great Jean Gabin who are transferred to this high security fortress run by the Erich Von Stroheim who becomes friends with Fresnay. Of course, the prisoners must find a way to escape. It’s an excellent film, superbly directed by Jean Renoir, yes, the son of the famous painter, Auguste Renoir. It’s as much a character study as an adventure and war film that also brings up the class struggle. It is worth seeing.
2. THREE CAME HOME-1950
This is one of my favourite films that is not well known but should be. It stars Claudette Colbert as the famous writer, Agnes Newton Keith, who lives on the island of Borneo with her husband and young son. When the Japanese take charge of the island, they imprison the people but separate the men from the women and their children. We see how brutal the Japanese guards are to the prisoners making it very difficult to maintain morale when you are dealing in some wretched conditions. This is based on a true story on the writings of Agnes Keith who endured torture, starvation and so much more while interred in a camp with her son. Sessue Hayakawa is, once again, brilliant as the commander of the camp just like he did in, “The Bridge on the River Kwai.”
3. STALAG 17-1953
If you want to know where Hogan’s Heroes come from, watch this film. It takes place in a World War 2 camp with a bevy of male stars who all work together to make a great film. William Holden is the bitter, sarcastic prisoner who is not well liked by the men but he is tolerated. You meet some of the other guys including Robert Strauss and Harvey Lembeck who play the comic foils in this film. Robert Strauss nabbed an Oscar nomination for the role of a sex starved best friend to Harvey Lembeck whom we know from the many Avalon and Funicello surfer films where he played the head leader of an inept motorcycle gang. Getting back to this film, we see how the men turn against Holden think he is a rat fink which is not the case but, who is? It’s a good movie that makes you wonder who is the traitor.
So, what prisoner of war movies can you think o?
I've seen the last one and loved the series Hogan's Heroes.
ReplyDeleteLove Hogan’s Heroes! I was sad that Robert Clary passed away even though he was over 90. He was a survivor of the concentration camps. Actually, Werner Klemperer was Jewish and the fat Nazi was too.
DeleteI remember the last one, but not the first two. Hogan's Heroes was a fun show, but what a shocker to find out about Bob Crane's past after he was murdered! My favourite prisoner of was movie is VICTORY (1981), starring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone.
ReplyDeleteI have not seen Victory and would like to! Love Hogan’s Heroes and many, who played Nazis were Jewish. In fact, the one fat man has a scar on his face caused by Nazi interrogation
DeleteThis is one genre that I would actively avoid. Especially if the prisoners are living under horrible conditions. I just can't. So, I have not seen any of these, and I doubt I will. Although, I do like many of those stars.
ReplyDeleteSome are hard to see. Stalag 17 has humour and reminds me of Hogan’s Heroes.
DeleteWhen I think of Hogan's Heroes, I now think of The Godfather. If you get a chance to see The Offer, I highly recommend it. (The producer of The Godfather started off his career with Hogan's Heroes.)
DeleteThe best POW movie was "The Great Escape," with a cast of thousands including Steve McQueen, James Garner, David McCallum, Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, and a whole lot more. There have also been numerous dramatizations of Colditz, the first one being "The Colditz Story." And "Hogan's Heroes" is, in my opinion, the greatest comedy series ever made.
ReplyDeleteI love…Love The Great Escape. I did not know, until I watched a documentary on this that one of the leaders of this Escape was Canadian but he was not one of the escapees.
DeleteI love Hogan’s Heroes and was very sad when Robert Clary passed away earlier this year. He was a survivor of the Buchenwald Camp. Many, who played Nazis were Jewish. Leon Askin, the fat SS Nazi, had a scar on his face from being beaten by the SS since he was Jewish. Scary…
My wife and I watched Three Came Home last year and really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAnother great one is Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence with David Bowie. Excellent moving film
Lee
Not many know bout Three Came Hime but it is a great movie. I still have to see that David Bowie film
DeleteIt's a good Christmas film for adults. Probably a little tough for kids or overly-sensitive people. And tis the season!
DeleteLee
STALAG 17 is certainly a favorite. I like a lot of movies that featured William Holden. And although only a segment of the (long) movie pertains to prisoners of war, THE DEER HUNTER is one I will always think of when this film topic comes up.
ReplyDelete~ D-FensDogG
The Deer Hunter is one I still need to see. Stalag 17 is the basis for the great comedy Hogan’s Heroes.
DeleteHi Birgit,
ReplyDeleteSorry to be commenting so late and infrequently but I’m still in the process of moving and selling. It does however seem to be nearing at least some sort of settling down…. just in time for the holidays!!!
Grand Illusion is a brilliant, involving film with topflight performances from the two leads.
Three Came Home is a fine well-rounded picture with some light moments mixed in with the general somber tone. Since you’re usually aware I’m sure you already know this is the film that cost Claudette the Margo Channing role in All About Eve. She had already signed for it to be her next film but sustained a back injury during filming a particularly grueling scene and had to drop out much to Bette Davis’s benefit.
I really should watch Stalag 17 again. I wasn’t blown away by the film when I saw it the first time despite liking the cast, but it has been years since that viewing.
The first that came to mind is one I just saw recently titled “Guests of the Emperor” (1993) though I believe it is also shown as Silent Cries. It’s set on the island of Singapore during WWII when a group of women and children are forced into a concentration camp by the Japanese and treated savagely. The great cast headed by Gena Rowlands includes Chloe Webb, Judy Parfitt, Annabeth Gish and Gail Strickland but it is quite brutal.
The next would be “Kapo” from 1960 starring Susan Strasberg. It’s the story of a young Jewish woman who to survive in the extermination camp she is sent to become a “kapo” meaning for privileges, among them staying alive, they became stand-in guards often brutally enforcing the will of the Nazis.
The last is lighter in tone while still not mocking the gravity of the situation. The British filmed “Two Thousand Women” from 1944. A group of women, including English stars Phyllis Calvert, Flora Robson, Jean Kent and Patricia Roc, are being kept at an internment camp set up in a lavish hotel in the French town of Marneville. One night they manage to rescue three downed male fliers and attempt to hide them among their number until they are freed.
Hi Joel, I figured you have been very busy but am so glad to read your comments always. I hope you visit my Star of the Month- Claude Rains.
DeleteI know that poor Claudette really hurt her back in this film but I can’t see anybody else but Bette Davis in the role of Margo.
I doubt you will change your opinion much about Stalag 17…I might be wrong but, I don’t think so, I know you love Le Grande Illusion..love Max Von Sydow in the role.
I have not seen your choices but…wow, they sound so good. Kapo is one I’d love to see this. Take care!
Hi Birgit,
DeleteJust commented on the Claude Rains post. Great choice for the month again!!