The One That Got Away (1957)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Roy Ward Baker

Writers:

Kendal Burt (book)
Howard Clewes (screenplay)

Release Date:

2 December 1957 (Sweden)

Genre:

Drama | War

Plot:

This is the true story of Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, the only German prisoner of war taken in Britain...

Plot Keywords:

Prisoner Of War | German | WWII | Escape | Based On Book

Cast

Hardy Krüger	...	Franz von Werra
Michael Goodliffe	...	RAF Interrogator
Colin Gordon	...	Army Interrogator
Alec McCowen	...	Duty Officer, Hucknall
Terence Alexander	...	RAF Intelligence Officer
Jack Gwillim	...	Commandant, Grizedale
Andrew Faulds	...	Lieutenant, Grizedale
Julian Somers	...	Booking Clerk
Harry Lockart	...	German Prisoner
Robert Crewdson	...	German Prisoner
George Mikell	...	German Prisoner
George Roubicek	...	German Prisoner
John Van Eyssen	...	German Prisoner
Frederick Jaeger	...	German Prisoner
Richard Marner	...	German Prisoner

Runtime:

106 min | UK:111 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U | Finland:K-12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15

Filming Locations:

Lake District, Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

Julian Wintle Productions

Trivia:

Hardy Krüger was only cast after a couple of British A list actors had passed.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Von Werra ducks beside the ice-covered road to avoid a car, the car is an early '50's Chrysler product, even though the story is set in the winter of 1940-41.

Quotes:

Franz von Werra: Hello, RAF intelligence? Hello, RAF. I'm looking for the microphone hidden near the window of my room. This is Oberluetnant Von Werra calling the RAF, are you recieving me? Werra calling and testing.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in A Question of Faith (2006) (V)

Suspenseful

This film is about a German prisoner of war in the World War II, who strives to escape back to Germany.

Despite being made fifty years ago, "The One That Got Away" is very watchable and suspenseful even in modern day standards. The plot is well written, despite giving away what happens in the movie title, it is still thrilling and suspenseful throughout the movie. I admire Franz's determination and courage to escape, and I am surprised by the other prisoners of war's cooperation in his plans even though they are not escaping. Humanity through harsh times is well depicted in here, touching one's soul and inspiring others to treasure life.