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The Wooden Horse

  • 19501950
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
The Wooden Horse (1950)
True story of three British POWs and their attempt to escape from Nazi Germany.
Play trailer0:54
1 Video
12 Photos
  • Drama
  • History
  • War
True story of three British POWs and their attempt to escape from Nazi Germany.True story of three British POWs and their attempt to escape from Nazi Germany.True story of three British POWs and their attempt to escape from Nazi Germany.
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Directors
    • Jack Lee
    • Ian Dalrymple(completion director)
  • Writer
    • Eric Williams(screenplay adapted from his novel by)
  • Stars
    • Leo Genn
    • David Tomlinson
    • Anthony Steel
Top credits
  • Directors
    • Jack Lee
    • Ian Dalrymple(completion director)
  • Writer
    • Eric Williams(screenplay adapted from his novel by)
  • Stars
    • Leo Genn
    • David Tomlinson
    • Anthony Steel
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 32User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 BAFTA Award
      • 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:54
    Trailer

    Photos12

    "The Wooden Horse" 1950, Leo Genn, Dan Cunningham, Michael Goodliffe
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)
    The Wooden Horse (1950)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Leo Genn
    Leo Genn
    • Peter Howardas Peter Howard
    David Tomlinson
    David Tomlinson
    • Phil Roeas Phil Roe
    Anthony Steel
    Anthony Steel
    • Captain John Clintonas Captain John Clinton
    David Greene
    David Greene
    • Nick Bennettas Nick Bennett
    Peter Burton
    Peter Burton
    • Nigelas Nigel
    Patrick Waddington
    Patrick Waddington
    • Group Captain Wardley - Senior British Officeras Group Captain Wardley - Senior British Officer
    Michael Goodliffe
    Michael Goodliffe
    • Robbieas Robbie
    Anthony Dawson
    Anthony Dawson
    • Pomfretas Pomfret
    Bryan Forbes
    Bryan Forbes
    • Paulas Paul
    Dan Cunningham
    • Davidas David
    Peter Finch
    Peter Finch
    • Australian in Hospitalas Australian in Hospital
    Philip Dale
    • Bill Whiteas Bill White
    Russell Waters
    • 'Wings' Cameronas 'Wings' Cameron
    Ralph Ward
    • Adjutantas Adjutant
    Franz Schafheitlin
    • Camp Commandantas Camp Commandant
    Hans Meyer
    • Charlie, Head Ferretas Charlie, Head Ferret
    Herbert Eilitz
    • Camp Guardas Camp Guard
    Lis Løwert
    • Kammaas Kamma
    • Directors
      • Jack Lee
      • Ian Dalrymple(completion director) (uncredited)
    • Writer
      • Eric Williams(screenplay adapted from his novel by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Peter Butterworth was one of the vaulters who covered for the real-life Wooden Horse escape. He auditioned for a part in the film after the war, but was turned down on the grounds that he didn't look convincingly heroic and athletic enough.
    • Goofs
      Whilst the escape is in progress, there is a quick shot of a German guard near the compound fence. His rifle has a British pattern webbing sling; the upper brass buckle can be seen clearly.
    • Quotes

      [Doctor, visiting prisoners in hospital, hears they are listening to music by Beethoven]

      Doctor: Ah, Beethoven. He is a good German.

      Prisoner: [calls out from the background] Yes. He's dead.

    • Connections
      Featured in Hitler: The Comedy Years (2007)
    • Soundtracks
      Deutschlandlied
      (uncredited)

      Composed by Joseph Haydn

    User reviews32

    Review
    Top review
    Yet Another Brilliant British War Movie
    In the long line of distinguished & inspiring war movies made in England in the 40's & '50s (Went The Day Well, Dam Busters, Cockleshell Heroes, One of Our Aircrafts is Missing, We Dive At Dawn) about British military personnel resisting German aggression in the second War, comes this little gem. This movie tells the story of Stalag Luft III where British airmen Leo Genn & David Tomlinson (both more famous for their roles in Quo Vadis & Mary Poppins respectively) are imprisoned. In a daring attempt the duo with one more accomplice break out of the heavily guarded camp by digging a tunnel from under their exercise title instrument. The second half of the movie concerns their attempts to reach Sweden, a neutral territory from where they can reach England.

    Leo Genn performs convincingly as the pipe-smoking elder Flight Lt. who goads & coaxes the younger David Tomlinson on, first through the tunnel & then through enemy territory. Both had war time experiences & borrow heavily from that. Peter Finch has one of his first roles as a Australian soldier who helps in the escape plan. Two of the funniest parts of the movie are the 'venture capitalists' in the form of the escape committee headed by senior officers approving of the plan & later financing it, & the retort of one of the injured soldiers in the hospital to a German comment that Beethoven is a good German.

    So ignore some of the incongruencies and enjoy this suspensor. It is no 'Stalag 17', but still a good entertainer all the way.
    helpful•15
    3
    • Tipu
    • Mar 21, 2000

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 7, 1951 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
      • Danish
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Drveni konj
    • Filming locations
      • Denmark
    • Production companies
      • London Film Productions
      • Wessex Film Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.37 : 1

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