The McKenzie Break (1970)

During WW2, German POWs in Britain plot to escape from their prison camp in Scotland.

Director:

Lamont Johnson

Writers:

William W. Norton (screenplay), Sidney Shelley (novel)

Stars:

Brian Keith, Helmut Griem, Ian Hendry

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Brian Keith	...	Capt. Jack Connor
Helmut Griem	...	Kapitän zur See Willi Schlueter
Ian Hendry	...	Maj. Perry
Jack Watson	...	Gen. Kerr
Patrick O'Connell	...	Sgt. Maj. Cox
Horst Janson	...	Lt. Neuchl
Alexander Allerson	...	Lt. Wolff
John Abineri	...	Capt. Kranz
Constantine Gregory	...	Lt. Hall (as Constantin De Goguel)
Tom Kempinski	...	Lt. Schmidt
Eric Allan	...	Lt. Hochbauer
Caroline Mortimer	...	A.T.S. Sgt. Bell
Mary Larkin	...	Cpl. Jean Watt
Gregg Palmer	...	Lt. Berger
Michael Sheard	...	Ingenieur-Offizier Unger

Storyline

In the closing days of World War II, German prisoners riot in a POW Camp in Scotland. Fearful of a mass escape attempt, the British Army sends in an unorthodox Irish Captain in hopes of discovering exactly what is going on. The Irishman at once comes into conflict with the senior prisoner, a U-Boat commander, and the two must match wits, knowing that only one will emerge victorious.

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Plot Keywords:

pow | scotland | prisoner | escape | german | 

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Genres:

War | Drama | Action

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for violence, language and brief sensuality

Details

Country:

Ireland UK

Language:

English German

Release Date:

12 January 1971 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Escape

Filming Locations:

Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company Credits

Production Co:

Levy-Gardner-Laven

Technical Specs

Runtime:

108 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The real life rendezvous with the U-boat was planned to take place at Pointe de Maisonnette, New Brunswick on Chaleur Bay in northern New Brunswick, Canada but in the movie the rendezvous is situated off the coast of Scotland and was actually filmed on the Irish coast.

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Goofs

The Jeep used is a civilian CJ 3B model, first introduced in 1953.

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Quotes

[last lines]
Captain Jack Connor: Willi, looks like we're both in the shithouse.

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Soundtracks

"SYMPHONY NO.3 E-FLAT MAJOR, OP.55 -- 1st & 2nd Movements"
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven

User Reviews

Interesting and unusual

An interesting war film that differs from others in a number of ways. Firstly,the plot concerns German prisoners of war held in a POW camp in Scotland planning an escape. While many films have featured Allied POWs, it's quite rare to find one that focuses on Germans held in captivity (Hardy Kruger as "The one that got away" is another example). Secondly, the Germans actually speak in German as opposed to some studio manufactured pidgin English. This adds a welcome note of authenticity so often missing from big name war movies made around the same time. The cut that I've seen on British TV was certainly subtitled. I note that another reviewer had the misfortune to watch a non-subtitled version - he has my sympathy! Another interesting point is that - in a subplot - the film has a gay German POW being persecuted and subsequently murdered by his own compatriots. Whether this actually happened and how much of the film is based on fact I'm not sure. However, the Nazi persecution of homosexuals is well-documented, but not often seen on the screen. It must have been a fairly bold move for a film made in 1970 to address this. There are some loopholes, but it remains well-acted and intriguing.