Film: The Great Escaper

The Great Escaper is a lovely film telling the story of Bernie Jordan who, approaching 90 left the care home he shares with his wife, Irene (Glenda Jackson in her last acting role) to go to Dunkirk. This was the 70th anniversary of D-Day and a now-or-never moment for Bernie to face the demons and pay his respects.

Having missed the chance to go on an organised trip, Bernie (Michael Caine, in what is said to be his last role before retirement) travelled with just a carrier bag by bus/taxi/ferry meeting several former service folk along the way. Apart from the heart-melting relationship he enjoys with his wife who knew him during the war, these friendships Bernie forms on his travels make The Great Escaper.

We learn of the terrors of war through gentle flashbacks and their conversations. Meeting the German soldiers doing the same thing in a restaurant is a particularly poignant 2-tissue moment

I don’t recall much about the true story when it broke 99 years ago so I don’t know how truthful it is. What matters though is that it is highly effective.

7½/10