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Stalag 17
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Stalag 17 (1953) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 6% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Billy Wilder
Writers:
Donald Bevan (play) and
Edmund Trzcinski (play) ...
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Contact:
View company contact information for Stalag 17 on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
10 August 1953 (Brazil) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama | War more
Tagline:
Hilarious, heart-tugging! You'll laugh...you'll cry...you'll cheer William Holden in his great Academy Award role! (from reissue print ad)
Plot:
When two escaping American World War II prisoners are killed, the German POW camp barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
Won Oscar. Another 4 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(2 articles)
Veteran’s Day: 16 Of The Best World War II Movies
 (From Screen Rant. 11 November 2008, 12:27 PM, PST)

Billy Wilder Dead At 95
 (From Studio Briefing - Film News. 29 March 2002)

User Comments:
In Defense of "Stalag 17" more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

William Holden ... Sgt. J.J. Sefton
Don Taylor ... Lt. James Dunbar
Otto Preminger ... Col. von Scherbach
Robert Strauss ... Stanislas Kasava
Harvey Lembeck ... Harry Shapiro
Richard Erdman ... Sgt. 'Hoffy' Hoffman
Peter Graves ... Price
Neville Brand ... Duke
Sig Ruman ... Sgt. Johann Schulz
Michael Moore ... Manfredi
Peter Baldwin ... Johnson
Robinson Stone ... Joey
Robert Shawley ... 'Blondie' Peterson
William Pierson ... Marko the Mailman

Gil Stratton ... Clarence Harvey 'Cookie' Cook (as Gil Stratton Jr.)
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Runtime:
120 min | Germany:116 min
Country:
USA
Language:
English | German
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Stalag 17 was not the inspiration for the TV series "Hogan's Heroes" (1965), despite the presence of a character called "Sgt. Schultz" and a somewhat put-upon Kommandant. The creators of "Hogan's Heroes" were sued over this very issue and were victorious. more
Goofs:
Revealing mistakes: When Sefton is lying in his bunk with the back of his head to the guys that are marching around the chess table, he notices that the light cord is hanging lower, by its shadow. The problem is that at the moment he first notices it, the guys are all crowded together while marching around the chess table. He wouldn't have been able to pick out the light cord shadow amongst the shadow of all those guys. more
Quotes:
[Sefton is cooking an egg]
Animal: Where'd it come from?
Sefton: From a chicken, bug-wit.
more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in "Weird Science: Stalag 16 (#5.10)" (1997) more
Soundtrack:
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again more

FAQ

How much sex, violence, and profanity are in this movie?
Is "Stalag 17" based on a novel?
A Note Regarding Spoilers
more
14 out of 21 people found the following comment useful:-
In Defense of "Stalag 17", 24 July 2001
8/10
Author: bleakeye from not sure

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.

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