Stalag 17 (1953)
Average Rating: 8.4/10
Reviews Counted: 29
Fresh: 28 | Rotten: 1
Stalag 17 survives the jump from stage to screen with flying colors, thanks to Billy Wilder's typically sterling direction and a darkly funny script.
Average Rating: 8/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 0
Stalag 17 survives the jump from stage to screen with flying colors, thanks to Billy Wilder's typically sterling direction and a darkly funny script.
liked it
Average Rating: 4.1/5
User Ratings: 12,469
My Rating
Movie Info
The scene is a German POW camp, sometime during the mid-1940s. Stalag 17, exclusively populated by American sergeants, is overseen by sadistic commandant Oberst Von Schernbach (Otto Preminger) and the deceptively avuncular sergeant Schultz (Sig Ruman). The inmates spend their waking hours circumventing the boredom of prison life; at night, they attempt to arrange escapes. When two of the escapees, Johnson and Manfredi, are shot down like dogs by the Nazi guards, Stalag 17's resident wiseguy
Jan 1, 1953 Limited
Dec 14, 1999
Paramount Home Video
Cast
-
William Holden
Sefton -
Don Taylor
Lieutenant Dunbar -
Otto Preminger
Von Scherbach -
Robert Strauss
"Animal" Stosh -
Harvey Lembeck
Harry Shapiro -
Peter Graves
Price -
Sig Rumann
Schulz -
Neville Brand
Duke -
Richard Erdman
Hoffy -
Michael Moore
Manfredi -
Peter Baldwin
Johnson -
Robinson Stone
Joey -
Robert Shawley
Blondie -
William Pierson
Marko -
Gil Stratton
Cookie/Narrator -
Jay Lawrence
Bagradian -
Erwin Kalser
Geneva Man -
Mike Bush
Dancer -
-
-
Tommy Cook
Prisoners of War -
Peter Leeds
Barracks No. 1 POW -
-
-
-
-
Paul Salata
Prisoners with Beards -
-
Max Willenz
German Lieutenant Super... -
-
-
Joe Ploski
German Guard Volley -
-
-
-
-
-
-
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (29) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (1) | DVD (13)
As rowdily entertaining on the screen as it was on the stage.
Top CriticThe resulting letdown is terrific, but along the way there is some of the funniest men-at-loose-ends interplay that Wilder has ever put on film.
One could make an argument that, among 20th century directors, few were more versatile than Billy Wilder.
A lusty comedy-melodrama, loaded with bold, masculine humor and as much of the original's uninhibited earthiness as good taste and the Production Code permit.
The good greatly outweighs the bad, particularly in the profile of Holden's character, a pragmatic, self-centered cynic whose heroism, when it is finally called upon, appears to come from deep within the barriers he has placed inside of himself.
A fascinating film.
William Holden won his first and only Best Actor Oscar for Billy Wilder's vastly entertaining serio comedy set in a POW camp.
When escape is the only option, you do whatever you can to make it happen. This is one exciting escape drama.
Teens may enjoy this exceptional, exciting drama.
Interesting depiction with a pretty decent performance from Holden and supported by a credible cast.
A bleak, black comedy in which the laughter can die in the throat.
Unforgettable Billy Wilder POW tale with Holden in perhaps his greatest role.
The prison story had an offbeat flavor that was pleasing.
As with many of Wilder's films, you tend to forget just how funny it is %u2014 the way the master director cuts tension with incisive wit and barely controlled silliness.
Taut drama, a real surprise, considering Wilder directs.
Grimly hilarious, subversive and defiant, rough around the edges, and more than a little sad.
Audience Reviews for Stalag 17
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
-
- Harry Shapiro: I'm telling you, these nazis ain't kosher.
- "Animal" Stosh: You can say that again.
- Harry Shapiro: Telling you, these nazis ain't kosher.
- "Animal" Stosh: I said you can say it again, that doesn't mean you have to repeat it!
-
- Von Scherbach: Nobody has ever escaped from Stalag 17. Not alive, anyway.
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for Stalag 17 yet.
Latest News on Stalag 17
March 15, 2010:
Peter Graves: 1926-2010Peter Graves, the film and television star whose most notable credits included "Airplane!" and...
October 25, 2007:
How Many Movies Have You Seen In Your Entire Life?Newsweek critic David Ansen has courageously revealed the more quietly kept secret of every...
What's Hot On RT
Every Star Trek movie listed
Star Trek is Certified Fresh
Forest Whitaker serves the White House
Trailer for Tom Hanks thriller
Featured on RT
- Weekly Ketchup: Will Smith to Star in Wild Bunch Remake? 14
- Critics Consensus: Star Trek Into Darkness is Certified Fresh 73
- Red Carpet Roundup: Star Trek Into Darkness Edition 0
- Video Interviews with Katie Aselton & Lake Bell of Black Rock 2
- VIP Access: Eli Roth talks Aftershock 1
- Total Recall: Star Trek Movies 84
- Parental Guidance: Star Trek Into Darkness 18
Top Headlines
-
J.J. Abrams Talks Star Trek Into Darkness, Star Wars, and More
0
-
Vin Diesel Says Fast & Furious 7 Will Begin a New Trilogy
2
-
Mickey Rourke Confirmed for Expendables 3
3
-
Brad Bird Still Mulling Incredibles 2
0
-
Reese Witherspoon, Jena Malone, and Martin Short Join Inherent Vice
0
-
Bruce Willis Makes an Expiration Date
1
-
Drew Pearce Hired for Mission: Impossible 5
0

