The Great Escaper is is directed by Oliver Parker, and written by William Ivory. It is based on the true story of Bernard Jordan, a British World War II Royal Navy veteran who in June 2014 ‘broke out’ of his Hove nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France. Jordan is played by Michael Caine and his wife, Irene, by the late Glenda Jackson in her final film.
You will have to be very hard hearted not to be moved by Bernie’s story. Not only as he looks back at the war during his trip, and to a loss he suffered during D-Day that has haunted him since, but also with his near 70 year marriage to Irene, especially when the caption appears just before the end credits.
Caine has made noises about retiring from acting, though he has now confirmed he is making at least one more. That is pleasing, as his performance here is one of the most nuanced and finest of his career. Jackson is also excellent, as is John Standing as an ex-RAF pilot who befriends him on his trip and Danielle Vitalis as a nurse at the care home.
William Ivory’s script is littered with humour so it avoids mawkishness, but it does have about two endings too many.
Rating: 8 out of 10