Stalag 17 (1953)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: 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.
Movie Info
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Cast
as Sefton
as Price
as `Animal' Stosh
as Harry
as Lt. Dunbar
as Oberst Von Scherbach
as Hoffy
as Duke
as Schulz
as Manfredi
as Johnson
as Joey
as Blondie
as Marko
as Cookie/Narrator
as Bagradian
as Geneva Man
as Triz
as German Lieutenant
as German Lieutenant
as Prisoners with Beard
as Prisoners with Beard
as Prisoners with Beard
as The Crutch
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Prisoners of War
as Russian Women Prisoner
as Russian Women Prisoner
as Russian Women Prisoner
as Russian Women Prisoner
as Russian Women Prisoner
as German Orderly
as Dancer
as German Guard Volley
as German Lieutenant Supervisor
as Barracks No. 1 POW
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
as Russian Woman Prisoner
as Russian Woman Prisoner
as Russian Woman Prisoner
as Singing Prisoner of War
as Prisoner of War
Critic Reviews for Stalag 17
All Critics (34) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (33) | Rotten (1) | DVD (2)
As rowdily entertaining on the screen as it was on the stage.
The 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.
In the end, Stalag 17's irreverence likely didn't revolutionize moviemaking for adults so much as it paved the way for the likes of M*A*S*H and Animal House. Then again, that alone is an achievement worth celebrating.
Audience Reviews for Stalag 17
A spectacular prison camp drama that relies on an intriguing, compelling mystery while also being quite funny and touching when showing the camaraderie between the prisoners of Barrack 4, with numerous memorable scenes that make it an unmissable classic.
Super Reviewer
A group of American POWs discovers that there is an informant in their midst. Kind of a war movie lite, Stalag 17 is more entertaining than moving and more delightful than most war films typically are. William Holden's characteristic insouciance fits right in, and the rest of the cast basically follows suit. Once one gives in to the film's tone, it becomes worth watching, even if the reveal comes too early, diffusing most of the potential suspense. Overall, this is a strong, entertaining, genre-defying film, but it's not perfect.
Super Reviewer
When a self-serving operator in a WWII prison camp is suspected of collaboration with the enemy, he is forced to uncover the true culprit. Another of Billy Wilder's cynical classics, there is a lot more humour in the material than you would think. In fact it is often so broad it can resemble an extended episode of Sgt. Bilko, full of fast paced wise-cracking and army camaraderie. It is Holden's character of course that provides the real drama, and he plays it pitch perfectly. Unlike most prisoner of war films that are full of stiff upper lipped heroics, his cynical attitude never wavers and the sharp, witty dialogue makes for some fine black comedy. Easily one of the best examples of the genre.
Super Reviewer
Stalag 17 Quotes
| Sefton: | If I ever run into any of you bums on a street corner, just let's pretend we've never met before. |
| Schulz: | How do you expect to win the war with an army of clowns? |
| Lieutenant Dunbar: | We sort of hope you'd laugh yourselves to death. |
| Sefton: | There are two people in this barracks who know I didn't do it. Me and the guy that did do it. |
| 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! |