Two worthy Academy Award® nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard - actor William Holden and director Billy Wilder - reteamed three years later for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar® for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant; actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Here's Wilder's powerful, acclaimed film classic -- now packed with never-before-seen special features, including audio commentary and "behind-the-scenes" featurettes.
Black comedy and suspenseful action inside a German POW camp during World War II--a setting that was later borrowed for the TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The great director Billy Wilder adapted the hit stage play, applying his own wicked sense of humor to the apparently bleak subject matter. William Holden plays an antisocial grouse amid a gang of wisecracking though indomitable American prisoners. Because of his bitter cynicism, Holden is suspected by the others of being an informer to the Germans, an accusation he must deal with in his own crafty way. Holden, who had delivered a brilliant performance for Wilder in Sunset Boulevard, won the 1953 Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17. Very much his equal, however, is Otto Preminger, an accomplished director himself, who plays the strict, sneering camp commandant. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
A Classic:
If you like a little comedy mixed in with a war movie then here you go. This takes place in a German POW camp, Stalag 17. ofcourse the major things to do are to survive and escape. Watchi how these men band together and make that happen.
It lacks the pristine quality of most Wilder's other work, but it's still worth the time...:
So, I've mentioned in a few reviews already that I am becoming quite the Billy Wilder fan. For the most part I am just in love with all of his films. In all honesty, the only one of those that I've seen that was less than impressive to me was `The Seven Year Itch'. Sadly, `Stalag 17', while not as bad as the aforementioned, is not at the same caliber as his films like `The Apartment' and `Some Like it Hot'. No, `Stalag 17' is not one of my favorite Wilder films. Sure, it has its moments, and when it does... more info
Stalag 17:
One of the best war time movies. Great performances keep you interested as the characters play out the scenes. Good character development & suspense is tight.
Good entertainment:
Does what the older movies always do. Entertain and hold our attention without all the gore. In others ways this has actual acting in it.
