Elmer Bernstein "The Great Escape"

The Great Escape is a 1963 American movie that falls under the genre of war and adventure. The film stars Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, and other renowned actors. It was filmed in Panavision, with Elmer Bernstein composing its musical score.

The movie is based on Paul Brickhill's non-fiction book, which narrates the mass escape of British Commonwealth prisoners of war from a German POW camp, Stalag Luft III, located in Sagan (now Żagań, Poland) in Nazi Germany. However, the film presents a fictionalized account of the escape, with several modifications made to enhance its commercial appeal, such as adding more American involvement in the escape.

The Great Escape was produced and directed by John Sturges, released by United Artists, and made by The Mirisch Company. The movie premiered at the Odeon Leicester Square in London's West End on June 20, 1963, and it turned out to be one of the highest-grossing films of the year. It also won Steve McQueen the Best Actor award at the Moscow International Film Festival and is now widely regarded as a classic. Additionally, the movie is well-known for its impressive motorcycle chase and jump scene, which is considered one of the best stunts ever performed.