Stalag 17 (1953)

If the environment of Stalag 17 looks vaguely familiar, its because it was the inspiration for the television series "Hogan's Heroes," the irreverent adventures of a group of Allied POW's held by the Germans in World War II.   Based on Billy Wilder's Play of the same name, it gained William Holden an Oscar for his part.

The story goes something like this:  After a pair of would-be escapees are shot, it's deduced that there is a snitch, a "stoolie" in the inmate's midst.  The remainder of the film involves the wrongful accusation and punishment of one inmate, Sefton (William Holden), and more generally the hijinks of the others, most notably the two clowns, "Animal" (Robert Strauss) and Shapiro (Harvey Lembeck.)  Also starring is Otto Preminger as the Camp Commandant, a very young Peter Graves as "Security" Price, and Sig Ruman as the stereotypical "Schuuullllz!!!"

The identity of the "stoolie" is finally revealed, and a swift and just punishment is dealt, as the redeemed Sefton uses the opportunity to escape with the recently arrived pilot, Lt. Dunbar (Don Taylor.)

The film is a strangely funny yet dark and introspective look into the lives of one barracks' inmates.  It's funny in a kind of way where you laugh, and then stop yourself and wonder if you really should be laughing.   "The Great Escape" a few years later would visit this territory again, but it at least provides a bit more serious counterpoint where its needed.  I suppose you could look at it in a "microcosm" sort of way, if you think about it.

Don't get me wrong, once you surrender yourself to the humor, it really is funny.  But damn is it uncomfortable.  Knowing that somewhere there were guys who actually went through this, and knowing that they weren't laughing one bit.  I can't even begin to imagine what that situation was *actually* like, and your mind keeps going there.  Not to mention some very, well, awkward moments between Animal and Shapiro....

Honestly I hadn't done my homework going in, and really all I knew was it was about a group of POW's in a Nazi prison camp.  Little did I realize!

Technorati Tags: war movie review, world war ii 2, stalag 17, william holden, otto preminger, billy wilder, hogans heroes, nazi prison camp, 1953

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Stalag 17 (Special Collector's Edition) List Price: $12.99 Sale Price: $12.05 You save: $0.94 (7%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Description

Two worthy Academy Award® nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard – actor William Holden and director Billy Wilder – reteamed three years later for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar® for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant; actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Here's Wilder's powerful, acclaimed film classic -- now packed with never-before-seen special features, including audio commentary and "behind-the-scenes" featurettes.

Black comedy and suspenseful action inside a German POW camp during World War II--a setting that was later borrowed for the TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The great director Billy Wilder adapted the hit stage play, applying his own wicked sense of humor to the apparently bleak subject matter. William Holden plays an antisocial grouse amid a gang of wisecracking though indomitable American prisoners. Because of his bitter cynicism, Holden is suspected by the others of being an informer to the Germans, an accusation he must deal with in his own crafty way. Holden, who had delivered a brilliant performance for Wilder in Sunset Boulevard, won the 1953 Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17. Very much his equal, however, is Otto Preminger, an accomplished director himself, who plays the strict, sneering camp commandant. --Robert Horton

DVD Information

Binding: DVD
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Brand: HOLDEN,WILLIAM
Manufacturer: Paramount
Original Release Date:
Actors:

• William Holden
• Don Taylor
• Otto Preminger
• Robert Strauss
• Harvey Lembeck

Reviews

Related posts:

1. From Here to Eternity (1953)
2. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
3. Sabre Jet (1953)

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 3rd, 2007 at 8:29 am and is filed under 1950s, Reviews, World War II Movies. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.