Movie Information
Overall Rank: 436
Average Rating: 3.1/4
# of Ratings: 101
Theatrical Release Date: 07/01/1953
Language: English
Genre: Comedy, Drama
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Billy Wilder
Actors: William Holden, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Don Taylor
Plot: At a POW camp during WWII a possible German spy may have been uncovered, but who is it?
Quick Movie Reviews
Rating of
3/4
Yojimbo - wrote on 03/04/2012
When a self-serving operator in a WWII prison camp is suspected of collaboration with the enemy, he is forced to uncover the true culprit. Another of Billy Wilder's cynical classics, there is a lot more humour in the material than you would think. In fact it is often so broad it can resemble an extended episode of Sgt. Bilko, full of fast paced wise-cracking and army camaraderie. It is Holden's character of course that provides the real drama, and he plays it pitch perfectly. Unlike most prisoner of war films that are full of stiff upper lipped heroics, his cynical attitude never wavers and the sharp, witty dialogue makes for some fine black comedy. Easily one of the best examples of the genre.
Rating of
3.5/4
mitchellyoung - wrote on 09/06/2011
Some of the characters in this comedy are clear.y exaggerations (particularly the bumbling German officers,) but the film is often a very human and unique of soldiers during wartime, presented with insight and humor.
Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Stalag 17 review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 01/10/2013
This is an example of a film where it is overloaded with cast and yet makes ti work. Clarence Harvey "Cookie" Cook (Gil Stratton) narrates, Sefton (William Holden) is the wise-cracking innovative business-minded outcast, the heartless commandant is Oberst von Scherbach (Otto Preminger) and Schulz (Sig Ruman) is the guard entrusted to check the barracks. So many laugh out loud moments such as the note from the wife about the baby, paint boys and the news sequences. Plot and directed we were wonderful. Holden was effective but Animal (Robert Strauss) and Harry (Harvey Lembeck) were the show stealers. A bit over exaggerated figures for a POW type film, still it was still entertaining. Stalag 17 maybe one of the few dark comedies around which touches on POW's.
Rating of
4/4
Great POW film
Ichabod Crane - wrote on 02/25/2009
A great film about prisoner war life, that keep s you interested throughout. The great thing is each character is well developed and interesting and you want to find out who the informant is then when you do find out you still want to know how everything will turn. Holden is just perfect in it. Can't reveal anything about the plot because it would only hurt one's enjoyment of the film which ought to be lot. It is both thrilling and very funny at the same time and neither part ever hurts the other.
Oscar Win Best Actor William Holden 6- There really is not a person I could imagine playing Sefton besides William Holden. He is just perfect as him. Again I cannot talk to much about it because it could hurt the film but every scene he is just awesome in really. Every scene he does …
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