Trivia
P.R. Reid wrote three books on Colditz: "The Colditz Story" (1952) and "The Latter Days at Colditz" (1953). The earlier book, based largely on Reid's own experiences, was the basis for the film. In 1984, Reid also published "Colditz: The Full Story," a less personal and more thoroughly researched account of Colditz during WWII.
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Quotes
Fischer:
There is too much noise!
Harry Tyler:
[
nervously, as there are Polish POWs hidden in the room]
Oh, I'm sorry. We were laughing.
Fischer:
Ah, laughing! Oh, I see, you have the British humor. Well, Englishmen will laugh at anything...
[
Tyler smiles and nods]
Fischer:
... but most people laugh at nothing. Here you will not laugh for long! Here you will remain until the war is won - by Germany! There will be no escape unless you wish to die!
[
Sarcastically as he is leaving the room]
Fischer:
Now you can laugh if you wish.
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Soundtracks
"Mademoiselle From Armentieres"
(uncredited)
Tune - traditional; source of English lyrics unknown
Performed by the British prisoners
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This film is named after an actual German prison camp designated for incorrigible prisoners of war--those who had already attempted escapes from other camps. And, not surprisingly, the multinational inmates spend most of their time plotting to escape. And, by the end of the film, some actually make it. In fact, the statistics on actual escapes is pretty impressive. What surprised me about all this is that the Germans were actually VERY forbearing and didn't just shoot the prisoners because of this--and the difference between these camps and the death camps is striking.
It's odd. Although "The Colditz Story" is based on a true account of prisoners escaping from this German prison camp--yet I never was bowled over by the film. I must admit that normally my biggest complaint about historical films is their inaccuracy--and this one sticks pretty close to the facts--yet I didn't really love the movie. I am not saying it's bad--the acting is very good. But I just didn't get into this film as much as some of the fictional WWII British films like "In Which We Serve" or "The Life of Colonel Blimp". It is still well worth seeing.