The Rockford Files the series. Frequent directors included William Wiard (23 episodes), Lawrence Doheny (10 episodes), and Ivan Dixon (previously a regular on "Hogan's Heroes") (9 episodes). Veteran actor James Coburn directed an episode. Coburn had co-starred with Garner in the classic movies "The Great Escape" (1963) and "The Americanization of Emily" (1964). Other actors who directed episodes include Jackie Cooper (3 episodes) Richard Crenna and Dana Elcar (1 episode each). Co-creator Stephen J. Cannell directed several episodes; series regular Stuart Margolin and executive producer Meta Rosenberg each helmed 2; and James Garner directed one episode in the second season, "The Girl in
The Great Escape II: The Untold Story Special award at the Primetime Emmy Awards The Great Escape II: The Untold Story The Great Escape II: The Untold Story is a 1988 American made-for-television action-adventure drama film and a sequel to "The Great Escape" (1963) starring Christopher Reeve, Judd Hirsch, Anthony Denison, Ian McShane, and Charles Haid. Donald Pleasence in a supporting role plays a member of the SS (in the 1963 original Pleasence had played Flight-Lieutenant Colin Blythe, 'The Forger'). The film was directed by Jud Taylor (in the 1963 original Taylor had played 2nd Lt. Goff). "The Great Escape II" premiered in two parts on NBC