This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

This Oscar nominated (Best Special Effects 1966) war movie is a combination of 'The Great Escape' and 'The Train' and stars Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard.

Colonel Joseph L. Ryan (Frank Sinatra) is a US pilot, he is captured by Italian troops and taken to a prisoner-of-war camp populated mainly by British prisoners (9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers). The British commanding officer having recently died, this makes him the ranking officer in charge.

The film focuses on the clash of cultures between Major Eric Fincham (Trevor Howard) who is the ranking British officer and Ryan. While the Allied prisoners who, after Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943, attempt a daring mass escape by hijacking a freight train and fleeing through German occupied Italy to Switzerland.

Full of action and suspense this is a worthwhile entry into the genre. Whilst not up there with the best, it is not that far behind and well worth a viewing.

It is a shame I don't hear much talk about this fine film. Up there with the best of WWII escape films.

"Implausible and unbelievable. The sort of film that makes you think that the Americans weren't eventually on the same side as the British."

I can't say that I've seen many WWII-inspired films, so I'm not really sure why I decided to select it when it came up on my Netflix feed. I'm glad I did; what an interesting little picture.

Basically its the star quality of Frank Sinatra leading a group of prisoners to freedom in German occupied Italy. Ol' Blue Eyes comes through, and saves the war!

Great story that had enough twists and turns to keep me interested during the much appreciated, under-2-hours running time. Being a Cinemascope release it looks outstanding, and the score by Jerry Goldsmith (in one of his early films) is wonderfully war-like.

I liked this one a lot more than I thought I would!

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

"Implausible and unbelievable. The sort of film that makes you think that the Americans weren't eventually on the same side as the British."

I seem to have watched a lot of World War II escape films recently and this was just the latest. With Frank Sinatra in the lead role it went slightly differently than I expected. It is based in Italy an follows the exploits of about 400 POW's as the war in Italy comes to an end and the have to avoid the Nazi's. This was enjoyable enough with some good action and story points, the effects and acting were a bit of their time but a good way to spend an afternoon.

C+

Listless war film only starts to gain a little traction once Sinatra and his fellow prisoners board a train. Shortly after a nightfall sequence, the entertainment value begins to taper off again.

This ain't no The Great Escape - the ending sacrifice is about as listless as the rest of it. (54%)

It is a shame I don't hear much talk about this fine film. Up there with the best of WWII escape films.

This Oscar nominated (Best Special Effects 1966) war movie is a combination of 'The Great Escape' and 'The Train' and stars Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard.

Colonel Joseph L. Ryan (Frank Sinatra) is a US pilot, he is captured by Italian troops and taken to a prisoner-of-war camp populated mainly by British prisoners (9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers). The British commanding officer having recently died, this makes him the ranking officer in charge.

The film focuses on the clash of cultures between Major Eric Fincham (Trevor Howard) who is the ranking British officer and Ryan. While the Allied prisoners who, after Italy's armistice with the Allies in September 1943, attempt a daring mass escape by hijacking a freight train and fleeing through German occupied Italy to Switzerland.

Full of action and suspense this is a worthwhile entry into the genre. Whilst not up there with the best, it is not that far behind and well worth a viewing.