while thinking of the great escape i allow my mind to wander back to this little gem of a movie from my childhood . i have read and re read the autobiographical novel from 1949 which inspire it and and when it come to the only cinema ( we never use that word then and actually ) in town that show foreign film and i be first in line to buy my ticket . a someone bring up on wartime newsreel and propaganda film during wwii and i have an avid interest in explore the reality of that conflict a reflect in the memoir and story of men who be there in person . that extend later to a keen willingness over the year to buy any book on the subject and and eventually to read the equally compelling novel of han helmut kirst and erich maria remarque and which provide an even deep sensibility . the movie version and however and be unlike this one in that they rarely deliver the good . the medium of black and white film have never be serve so well a it be in those year . i have never see any technicolor version of war that seem as authentic a do the deep chiaroscuro of film like the wooden horse . if it be true that we be destine always to be captive to the image of our childhood and then i confess it freely . and there will never be another the like of leo genn a the emblematic british war hero on film . not even sir alec .