Directed by: Roy Baker The One That Got Away is the thrilling true story of Lt. Franz von Werra (Hardy Kruger), the only German prisoner of war taken in Britain during the Second World War to escape from numerous British POW camps and return to his homeland. Roy Ward Baker's excellent direction and Kruger's sympathetic performance help make this an exciting and involving movie. viewer's comments: - Great film! Kruger is brilliant What a great little film this is, an quite unique. Hardy Kruger is wonderful in this role (even better than he was in Flight of the Phoenix)and the story is unusual and fast paced. The best part is this is a *true* story too so it's very intriguing to know this von Werra guy was really in the German army...he was hardly a conformist like we always think "Nazi" soldiers would be. - Surprisingly suspenseful... Despite the title, I found myself strangely glued to this movie. However, having seen a lot of the more realistic (i.e. horrific) depictions of WWII lately, including The Pianist, I can't really relate to those who found themselves sympathetic to the German officer's efforts to escape. I kept wanting to see the guy get shot, or take a wrong turn and freeze in the Canadian tundra. Along with the more dramatised (and less geographically realistic) "49th Parallel", "The One That Got Away" might serve as a good reminder for all those with an "Ambrosian" view of America's role in WWII. It may come as a surprise to many to see stranded Nazi soldiers trying desperately to reach the sanctuary offered by asylum in the neutral United States, almost two years into the war. It's too bad this movie isn't more widely seen or available. Looks like it's a hit in Germany though -- seems only Amazon.de carries it. - I first saw this movie as a child I first saw this movie as a child in my small local cinema. It had a profound effect on my (and my friends) attitude to the German people, (remember that this was only 12 years after the war) Our whole concept of Germans as 'nasty baddies' was turned on its head. It was probably the first step (I was six years old) in my realisation that things are not black or white. The scene with Hardy Kruger hiding from his pursuers behind a stone wall wearing flying boots is still etched in my mind more than forty years later - I'm somewhat biased about this film - which really is a great piece of story telling - because my Dad was in it! He was doing his National Service at the time the film was made, and the Army provided squaddies as extras in the search scenes. When Von Werra is captured in a boggy patch my Dad is the corporal who provides a spare poncho to keep the German officer warm. He even has a line... "Yes, I've got one Sir." or something to that effect. Last time the film was shown in the U.K. his speech was rather badly edited out, much to the dismay of his loyal following. I think the film works really well at putting you on the side of the captive, so that even watching from a partisan British perspective it is hard not to want him to succeed in outwitting his gaolers. The only flaw for me is the slightly romanticised crossing of The St. Lawrence. By this stage the director is going for such a sympathetic depiction of Von Werra that he seems almost childlike. I think Von Werra was a sufficiently capable media manipulator for his version of events to have percolated down into the film. He wanted to be seen as a romantic, chivalrous hero but maybe he was tougher and more ruthless than he would have us believe? Overall a great story, based on real events and characters, with some wonderful film making. Watch it, and watch out for my Dad! James West - Critique: Although the title is a bit of a giveaway, this is one of the most intriguing of war films, a substitute to the countless Americanized versions of escape-war-films. The picture is perfectly paced adding to the excitement and suspense of escape. Based on a true story of the only German to escape from an allied camp, it has beautiful crisp black and white photography. What makes it a standout in film history though is the fact that a German soldier is made the hero here. Actor Hardy Kruger portrayal is an unusual mix of boyish charm, and cockiness. The film is virtually flawless except for the screenwriter's depiction of Warren's. They make him so much likeable and appealing (funnier) than the Brits that one walks out rooting for him. I mean isn't he the enemy? One of Hitler's tools of war? Furthermore, it's disturbing to learn that Von Warren returns home but goes back to the front and dies fighting the Allies. This little known film is hard to get on video (though I've seen a re-released copy), so your best shot is to catch it on the tube. QUOTE: Von Warren: "It's the duty of an officer to try and escape." Cast overview, first billed only: Hardy Kr
