The Great Escape 1963 Genres: Epic, Period Drama, Prison Drama, War Epic, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, War, Action Sequences, Character Development, Courage, Freedom, Friendship, Great Ensemble, Historical Accuracy, Iconic Score, Suspenseful, Thrilling Country: United States Director: John Sturges John Sturges 3 January 1910, Oak Park, Illinois, USA Duration: 172 Min Year: 1963 Actors: Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, Hannes Messemer, David McCallum, Gordon Jackson, John Leyton, Angus Lennie, Nigel Stock, Robert Graf, Jud Taylor, Hans Reiser, Harry Riebauer, William Russell Storyline: Allied officers in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II make a daring plan for a mass escape by hundreds of POWs hoping to draw German personnel and resources away from combat operations.