Top 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsMost Popular Video GamesMost Popular Music VideosMost Popular Podcasts
    Release CalendarBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersSundance Film FestivalIndependent Spirit AwardsBlack History MonthSXSWSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
Sign In
New Customer? Create account
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Stalag 17

  • 19531953
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 2h
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
57K
YOUR RATING
William Holden, Harvey Lembeck, and Robert Strauss in Stalag 17 (1953)
Watch Official Trailer
Play trailer2:05
1 Video
99+ Photos
ComedyDramaWar
After two Americans are killed while escaping from a German P.O.W. camp in World War II, the barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer.After two Americans are killed while escaping from a German P.O.W. camp in World War II, the barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer.After two Americans are killed while escaping from a German P.O.W. camp in World War II, the barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer.
IMDb RATING
8.0/10
57K
YOUR RATING
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Billy Wilder(written for the screen by)
    • Edwin Blum(written for the screen by)
    • Donald Bevan(based on the play by)
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Don Taylor
    • Otto Preminger
    • Billy Wilder
  • Writers
    • Billy Wilder(written for the screen by)
    • Edwin Blum(written for the screen by)
    • Donald Bevan(based on the play by)
  • Stars
    • William Holden
    • Don Taylor
    • Otto Preminger
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 183User reviews
    • 101Critic reviews
    • 84Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:05
    Watch Official Trailer

    Photos118

    "Stalag 17" Robert Strauss, William Holden and Harvey Lembeck 1953 Paramount
    "Stalag 17" William Holden 1953 Paramount
    "Stalag 17" William Holden and Otto Preminger 1953 Paramount / MPTV
    "Stalag 17" William Holden, Otto Perminger, Don Taylor 1953 Paramount / MPTV
    "Stalag 17" Sig Rumann and William Holden 1953 Paramount / MPTV
    "Stalag 17" Harvey Lembeck, William Holden, Robert Strauss 1953 Paramount / MPTV
    William Holden and Don Taylor in Stalag 17 (1953)
    Janice Carroll, Alla Gursky, Marie Ardell, Zina Dennis, and Irene Bacha in Stalag 17 (1953)
    William Holden and Robert Strauss in Stalag 17 (1953)
    Harvey Lembeck and Robert Strauss in Stalag 17 (1953)
    Harvey Lembeck and Robert Strauss in Stalag 17 (1953)
    Neville Brand, Richard Erdman, Harvey Lembeck, Robert Strauss, and Don Taylor in Stalag 17 (1953)

    Top cast

    Edit
    William Holden
    William Holden
    • Sgt. J.J. Sefton
    Don Taylor
    Don Taylor
    • Lt. James Dunbar
    Otto Preminger
    Otto Preminger
    • Oberst von Scherbach
    Robert Strauss
    Robert Strauss
    • Sgt. Stanislaus 'Animal' Kuzawa
    Harvey Lembeck
    Harvey Lembeck
    • Sgt. Harry Shapiro
    Richard Erdman
    Richard Erdman
    • Sgt. 'Hoffy' Hoffman
    Peter Graves
    Peter Graves
    • Sgt. Frank Price
    Neville Brand
    Neville Brand
    • Duke
    Sig Ruman
    Sig Ruman
    • Sgt. Johann Sebastian Schulz
    Michael Moore
    • Sgt. Manfredi
    Peter Baldwin
    Peter Baldwin
    • Sgt. Johnson
    Robinson Stone
    • Joey
    Robert Shawley
    Robert Shawley
    • Sgt. 'Blondie' Peterson
    William Pierson
    William Pierson
    • Marko the Mailman
    Gil Stratton
    Gil Stratton
    • Sgt. Clarence Harvey 'Cookie' Cook
    • (as Gil Stratton Jr.)
    Jay Lawrence
    • Sgt. Bagradian
    Erwin Kalser
    • Geneva Man
    Edmund Trzcinski
    • 'Triz' Trzcinski
      • Billy Wilder
    • Writers
      • Billy Wilder(written for the screen by)
      • Edwin Blum(written for the screen by)
      • Donald Bevan(based on the play by)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Ace in the Hole
    8.1
    Ace in the Hole
    The Lost Weekend
    7.9
    The Lost Weekend
    Sabrina
    7.6
    Sabrina
    One, Two, Three
    7.9
    One, Two, Three
    The Fortune Cookie
    7.3
    The Fortune Cookie
    A Foreign Affair
    7.3
    A Foreign Affair
    Anatomy of a Murder
    8.0
    Anatomy of a Murder
    From Here to Eternity
    7.6
    From Here to Eternity
    Fedora
    6.8
    Fedora
    High Noon
    8.0
    High Noon
    The Spirit of St. Louis
    7.1
    The Spirit of St. Louis
    Love in the Afternoon
    7.1
    Love in the Afternoon

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      William Holden never felt he deserved an Oscar for his performance in this film. His wife felt it was to compensate for him not winning for "Sunset Blvd. (1950)."
    • Goofs
      In at least two scenes, German solders are seen using US Browning 30 cal. machine guns; some still think of it as an error, but the use of captured enemy equipment was common by all sides in the war. A POW compound would be the ideal place to locate captured weapons, with a relatively limited ammo supply, whilst they still served to deter escape.
    • Quotes

      Sefton: There are two people in this barracks who know I didn't do it. Me and the guy that did do it.

    • Connections
      Featured in Paramount Presents (1974)
    • Soundtracks
      When Johnny Comes Marching Home
      (1863) (uncredited)

      Written by Louis Lambert

      Played during the opening credits

      Played on a record and sung by the prisoners of war

      Whistled a bit by Gil Stratton at the end

    User reviews183

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    In Defense of "Stalag 17"
    In defense of this great film "Stalag 17", I would like to say a few things. First of all, William Holden's performance in this film gives this film a very big lead against many other films like it. Holden is a very good actor given a very good role here as Sefton, a soldier that uniquely accepts his situation. The other supporting, and even prominent roles are good but seems "intentionally" underdeveloped for the benefit of not complicating viewers with unnecessary information. The story, consisting of a "whodunit" plot, wartime ordeals, and amusing dialogue between the characters is superb for it's time. All in all, watching "Stalag 17" is at least a fine way to spend your time.

    I've read many reviews that say that they were disappointed with this film. Some were annoyed because it wasn't as realistically gritty and tense like "Saving Private Ryan". Well, that's the effect of the Hays Offices (censorship officials of American produced movies during the past). I have to say that although it may have lacked the grittiness of Spielberg's film, it still surpasses "Saving Private Ryan" for it's honest approach to it's characters such as the POW that responds to his wife's letter ("I believe it.") with a certain kind of feeling that can truly be described as honest and the German "Wake up caller" Scherbach's constant joking around with POWs while remaining true to his kommandant's wishes. The 'Animal' and Shapiro characters were obviously created for comic relief but it should only be taken as that, comic relief (Hell, everyone's a comedian and at least they tried). Most anybody that was disappointed with this film were probably disappointed for it's strange association with the TV show "Hogan's Heroes". I must say that I don't care much for that certain show but I do like this film.

    I really don't think that any film should ever be compared with another film or a TV show (unless it's a spinoff, then they're just asking for it) no matter how related they are. A movie is a movie on it's own and never with the help of another, no matter the similarities. This is a classic film, worthy of it's praise yet unworthy of it's negative critique. Nobody should let personal opinions be considered flaws. Just watch it, when you have the chance, with an open mind.
    helpful•59
    18
    • bleakeye
    • Jul 24, 2001

    FAQ6

    • Is "Stalag 17" based on a book?
    • Where is the reference to adultery in "Stalag 17"?
    • Why didn't Sefton tell the others the identity of the traitor immediately when he found out?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 1953 (Canada)
      • United States
      • English
      • German
      • Russian
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • John Show Ranch, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Paramount Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 2 hours
      • Black and White

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    William Holden, Harvey Lembeck, and Robert Strauss in Stalag 17 (1953)
    Top Gap
    By what name was Stalag 17 (1953) officially released in India in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2023 by IMDb.com, Inc.