MGM

All too often, films with an ensemble cast are a dream for the studio’s marketing department, but end up being a nightmare for the moviegoer. They are the very definition of the phrase, “too many Chiefs and not enough Indians”. There are exceptions to this rule (such as Steven Soderberg’s re-make of Ocean’s 11), but more often than not, such films fall flat, as everybody leads in their own direction, and nobody follows.

Thankfully, this is one of those rare exceptions. Each member of the cast of T...e Great Escape understands their role in telling the story, and they fill it perfectly. No one actor is the star here (though it is clear that Steve McQueen is certainly the man); everyone sacrificed their personal glory for the good of the film.