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Stalag 17 (1953)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
10 August 1953 (Brazil)
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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
Awards:
Won Oscar.
Another 4 nominations
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NewsDesk:
(4 articles)
Walk Of Fame Honour For Mission: Impossible Star
(From WENN. 23 October 2009, 6:26 PM, PDT)
Old Ass Movies: Escape ‘Stalag 17′
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 13 September 2009, 11:17 AM, PDT)
(From WENN. 23 October 2009, 6:26 PM, PDT)
Old Ass Movies: Escape ‘Stalag 17′
(From FilmSchoolRejects. 13 September 2009, 11:17 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
In Defense of "Stalag 17"
more (101 total)
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.) |
Additional Details
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
120 min | Germany:116 min
Country:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono (Western Electric Recording)
Certification:
West Germany:16 (f) |
Australia:G |
South Korea:12 (2004) |
Finland:K-16 |
Norway:12 |
UK:PG |
USA:Approved (PCA #15866) |
Sweden:15
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
William Holden's acceptance speech for Best Actor was the shortest in Academy history. He said only two words: "Thank You."
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Goofs:
Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): We learn from the escape plan in the beginning of the movie that the Stalag 17 prison camp is located on the river Danube near Linz, which is on the Austrian and German Border. Later in the movie, when the prisoners are watching the women in the Russian compound, Cookie claims that on a clear day, you could see the Swiss Alps with this telescope. Nobody could see the Swiss Alps with even the best telescope, from this point of view, because the Austrian Alps would definitely be in the way.
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Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in Hotel Chevalier (2007)
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Soundtrack:
When Johnny Comes Marching Home Again
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FAQ
Where is the reference to adultery in "Stalag 17"?A Note Regarding Spoilers
Is "Stalag 17" based on a novel?
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more (101 total)
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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.