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The McKenzie Break

  • 19701970
  • PGPG
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Brian Keith and Helmut Griem in The McKenzie Break (1970)
  • Action
  • Drama
  • War
During WW2, German POWs in Britain plot to escape from their prison camp in Scotland.During WW2, German POWs in Britain plot to escape from their prison camp in Scotland.During WW2, German POWs in Britain plot to escape from their prison camp in Scotland.
IMDb RATING
6.5/10
1.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Lamont Johnson
  • Writers
    • William W. Norton(screenplay)
    • Sidney Shelley(novel)
  • Stars
    • Brian Keith
    • Helmut Griem
    • Ian Hendry
Top credits
  • Director
    • Lamont Johnson
  • Writers
    • William W. Norton(screenplay)
    • Sidney Shelley(novel)
  • Stars
    • Brian Keith
    • Helmut Griem
    • Ian Hendry
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 21User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination

    Photos20

    Horst Janson in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Horst Janson in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Horst Janson in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Helmut Griem in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Helmut Griem in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Ian Hendry in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Ian Hendry in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Alexander Allerson and Helmut Griem in The McKenzie Break (1970)
    Helmut Griem in The McKenzie Break (1970)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Brian Keith
    Brian Keith
    • Capt. Jack Connoras Capt. Jack Connor
    Helmut Griem
    Helmut Griem
    • Kapitän zur See Willi Schluetteras Kapitän zur See Willi Schluetter
    Ian Hendry
    Ian Hendry
    • Maj. Perryas Maj. Perry
    Jack Watson
    Jack Watson
    • Gen. Kerras Gen. Kerr
    Patrick O'Connell
    • Sgt. Maj. Coxas Sgt. Maj. Cox
    Horst Janson
    Horst Janson
    • Lt. Neuchlas Lt. Neuchl
    Alexander Allerson
    Alexander Allerson
    • Lt. Wolffas Lt. Wolff
    John Abineri
    John Abineri
    • Capt. Kranzas Capt. Kranz
    Constantine Gregory
    Constantine Gregory
    • Lt. Hallas Lt. Hall
    • (as Constantin De Goguel)
    Tom Kempinski
    • Lt. Schmidtas Lt. Schmidt
    Eric Allan
    • Lt. Hochbaueras Lt. Hochbauer
    Caroline Mortimer
    • A.T.S. Sgt. Bellas A.T.S. Sgt. Bell
    Mary Larkin
    Mary Larkin
    • Cpl. Jean Wattas Cpl. Jean Watt
    Gregg Palmer
    Gregg Palmer
    • Lt. Bergeras Lt. Berger
    Michael Sheard
    Michael Sheard
    • Ingenieur-Offizier Ungeras Ingenieur-Offizier Unger
    Ingo Mogendorf
    • Lt. Fullgrabeas Lt. Fullgrabe
    Emmet Bergin
    • Orderly Johnstonas Orderly Johnston
    • (uncredited)
    Barry Cassin
    • Guard Jonesas Guard Jones
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Lamont Johnson
    • Writers
      • William W. Norton(screenplay)
      • Sidney Shelley(novel)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    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. —Anthony Hughes <husnock31@hotmail.com>
    • prison escapee
    • escape attempt
    • prison guard
    • prison escape
    • protest
    • 268 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • "THE MCKENZIE BREAK" The Ultimate Escape Film
    • Genres
      • Action
      • Drama
      • War
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG for violence, language and brief sensuality
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Though set in Scotland, this movie was predominantly filmed in Ireland.
    • Goofs
      Although it is raining heavily in many scenes, the ground remains mostly dry. There is no dirt visible on the character's clothes after they fought each other on expectedly wet sand and grass.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

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

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

    User reviews21

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    WWII story about a plot by German POWs to escape from Scottish concentration camp
    Awesome , tense warlike movie with memorable images and outstanding acting by some well-known faces . This is a splendid film that succeeds largely because of particularly nice interpretations , it deals with a daring breakout from inescapable Scottish concentration camp carried out by Nazi officers incarnated by a good star cast and magnificently realized by Lamont Johnson . It's partially based on facts adapted by William Norton from a bestselling written by Sidney Shelley titled ¨The Bowmanville break¨ . The continuous escapes have caused the British staff ordered 'putting all the rotten eggs in one basket' as the officer prisoners are reunited into a special concentration camp called McKenzie , being commanded by a hard-drinking Major Perry (Ian Hendry) who efforts to stifle riots of the wily Nazis . Irish Intelligence captain named Connor (Brian Keith) , a special troubleshooter , is sent by General Kerr (Jack Watson ) to Scotland for resolving conflicts in the problematic camp . Connor suspects astute captain Schlueter (Helmut Griem) of being the mastermind behind the scheme about a mass escape and he is supposed to stop the action . It deals with hard preparatives of a diverse group formed by Doenitz's U-boat officers and Luffwaffe air officers and soldiers mounting a dangerous getaway from a barbed-wired and strongly controlled camp . The most part of the film concerns on the elaborated process of secretly digging an underground tunnel and the last one deals with spectacular breakout and effort the approx. twenty and some escaped prisoners throughout Scotland trying to make their bid to freedom .

    This exciting story contains thrills, intrigue, tension, excitement galore, entertainment and lots of fun . Suspenseful WWII drama about a concentration camp from a German point of sight , it packs exceptional plethora of prestigious actors as British as German incarnating the motley group of POWs , all of them giving good acting and support , as Helmut Griem as U-boat Squadron leader who plans the massive breakout as Ian Hendry as serious Major and of course a sensational Brian Keith whose character , an arrogant Intelligence officer is sent to foil the getaway attempts . The picture belongs to a genre that has given classics as ¨The great escape¨, ¨Stalag 17¨, ¨Escape from Colditz¨, ¨Escape from Sorbibor¨ and many others . Colorful, atmospheric cinematography by Michael Reed , Hammer Production's usual ; it is shot in Ardmore Studios, Herbert Road, Bray, County Wicklow,Ireland ,Santa Monica, California, USA ,Turkey and photography being perfectly remastered . Excellent production design and art direction with evocative sets from concentration camp and barbwire . Rousing and lively soundtrack by Riz Ortalani . This well executed motion picture is well directed by Lamont Johnson . Rating : Two thumbs up , essential and indispensable watching , a real must see for its strong characterizations and interesting issues .
    helpful•14
    2
    • ma-cortes
    • Mar 11, 2011

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 1971 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • Ireland
      • United Kingdom
    • Languages
      • English
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Escape
    • Filming locations
      • Bonmahon, County Waterford, Ireland
    • Production companies
      • Levy-Gardner-Laven
      • Brighton Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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