DVDs

The Colditz Story

Region 4

By Richard Moore

Colditz castle was a name that conjured up many images for the opposing sides in World War II.

To the Germans it was their ultimate Prisoner of War camp that no-one had escaped from, while to the British it was a symbol to be defied.

Only the most-hardened Allied officer prisoners were sent to Colditz - those that had made repeated escape attempts from other camps - and that made for a cat-and-mouse game of trying to beat the unbeatable.

The Colditz Story focuses on the first successful British breakout from the formidable castle and the difficulties coming from trying to liaise with the other Allied officers imprisoned there.

Language difficulties and national pride meant that intitially there was little cooperation between the British, Poles, Russians and French. It has a terrific cast - led by John Mills and Eric Portman - and you can play spot the face at leisure and come up with at least 10 well-known actors among the supporting players.

Mind you, while the story and acting are very good, the feel of The Colditz Story is more of a Boy's Own jape than a "they'll bloody-shoot-us-if-we-are-caught" routine.

The tension of the escape attempts is not allowed to build and this takes the edge out of what could have been a ripper yarn.

The video transfer is pretty good and the sound surprisingly good.

It is one of four movies available in the British War DVD Collection - The Cruel Sea, The Colditz Story, The Dambusters and Ice Cold in Alex.

Conclusion:

Movie: 70%

DVD Extras: 20%