The Great Escaper | |
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Directed by | Oliver Parker |
Written by | William Ivory |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Christopher Ross |
Edited by | Paul Tothill |
Music by | Craig Armstrong |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Warner Bros. Entertainment UK |
Release dates |
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Running time | 96 minutes[2] |
Countries |
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Language | English |
Box office | £3.8m |
The Great Escaper is a 2023 biographical drama film directed by Oliver Parker, written by William Ivory, and starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. It is based on the true story of 89-year-old British World War II Royal Navy veteran Bernard Jordan who "broke out" of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France in June 2014.[3][4]
The Great Escaper had its world premiere in London at BFI Southbank on 20 September 2023,[5] and was released in the United Kingdom on 6 October 2023, by Warner Bros. Pictures.[3] The film marked the final screen performances for both lead actors: Jackson died in June 2023, nine months after filming finished; Caine announced his retirement from acting in October 2023.[6][7] This is also the last film produced by Pathé UK, after the division announced in November 2023 that they would restructure to focus on premium television and only release films from their parent company.[8]
Another film, The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan and released on 5 November 2023, is loosely based on Jordan's story.[9]
The film was announced in February 2021, and was scheduled to be shot in June of that year.[10] Principal photography commenced the following year, on 8 September 2022,[11] and director Oliver Parker noted that Glenda Jackson "shot almost all her big scenes in the first twelve days".[12][6] The French street scene was filmed in Church Street, Twickenham.[13] In early October 2022 filming was taking place in East Sussex, at Camber Sands[14] and Hastings.[15]
The film was shot entirely in the UK, to minimise the travelling involved and the COVID-19 risk to the older cast. John Standing, who appears in the film, claimed it was due to Brexit restrictions, a claim denied by Pathé, one of the film's main production companies.[16] At the time of filming, Caine was 89 and Jackson was 86. They had last made a film together 47 years earlier, The Romantic Englishwoman (1975).[3]
Parker screened the finished film for Caine and Jackson a few weeks before the latter's death on 15 June 2023.[12]
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 79% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10.[17]
Catherine Shoard of The Guardian called the film "brilliant" and "flintier than you might think, and very moving".[4] Peter Bradshaw, also in The Guardian, gave the film 4 stars out of 5, saying "Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson bring their A games to this true-life heartwarmer ... their ineffable class give this film some real grit: it’s a wonderful last hurrah for Jackson and there is something moving and even awe-inspiring in seeing these two British icons together".[18] Lou Thomas of Empire magazine gave the film 4 stars out of 5, stating "A moving and surprisingly nuanced drama offering far more than flag-waving nostalgia. Superb performances from Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson ensure the latter’s final screen role is fittingly dignified".[19] Kevin Maher of The Times also gave the film 4 stars out of 5, saying "Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson are remarkable as a D-Day veteran and his wife in a charming tale".[20]
Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent was less impressed by the film, giving it 2 stars out of 5, commenting on its "pat, patriotic sentimentalism" but that "... ultimately, the film finds a way to undercut all that sentimentality until what we’re left with is the memory of Caine and Jackson, misty-eyed and full of love."[21] Mark Kermode gave the film a very positive review on his Kermode and Mayo's Take podcast with Simon Mayo, saying "Michael Caine is always watchable Glenda Jackson has never been ... anything less than brilliant and it is one of the most lovely portrayals of a married couple who have been together forever and absolutely adore each other."[22] Tori Brazier of Metro gave the film 4 out of 5, calling it an "unexpectedly complex and unflinching film".[23]
Caine announced his retirement from acting in October 2023 in a BBC Today radio programme interview with Martha Kearney. Referring to The Great Escaper, he said "I keep saying I'm going to retire, well I am now, because I figured, I've had a picture which is, I played the lead and it's got incredible reviews. The only parts I'm liable to get now are old men, 90-year-old men, well, maybe 85, and I thought well I might as well leave with all this. I've got wonderful reviews. What am I going to do to beat this?"[24][7]