- Film Review
- Reviewed By Tony Sloman
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4 out of 5
William Holden won the best actor Oscar for his unsympathetic portrayal here of an imprisoned opportunist in a German PoW camp - an emotive subject just eight years after the end of the Second World War. Director Billy Wilder superbly balances elements of drama, satire and comedy, and captures the claustrophobia of camp life. There are also fine performances from inmates Robert Strauss and Harvey Lembeck, both of whom were veterans of the tale's original Broadway run. The surprise casting coup is director Otto Preminger, who's mesmerising as a nasty Nazi.
Plot Summary
Director Billy Wilder's classic Second World War drama, starring William Holden, Don Taylor and Otto Preminger. When two American prisoners, attempting to escape from Stalag 17, run into a German ambush, it becomes clear that one of the men in Barrack 4 must be an informer. The obvious suspect is Sefton, who spends his time trading with the guards and organising gambling among the prisoners.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Sefton
- William Holden (2)
- Dunbar
- Don Taylor
- Oberst Von Scherbach
- Otto Preminger
- Stosh
- Robert Strauss
- Harry
- Harvey Lembeck
- Duke
- Neville Brand
- Hoffy
- Richard Erdman
- Price
- Peter Graves (2)
- Cookie
- Gil Stratton
- Bagradian
- Jay Lawrence
- Schultz
- Sig Ruman
Crew
- Director
- Billy Wilder
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