The Great Escape: Special & World Cup Collector’s Editions

MGM HOME ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL EDITION DVD RELEASE

Released 20th May 2002

Ingrained in British culture, the epic wartime drama THE GREAT ESCAPE is theheroic and tragic true story of unbreakable spirit and daring heroism. Arguablyone of the greatest war films ever, it will be released as an extras packedSPECIAL EDITION DVD on 20 May.

Since the film’s rousing theme tune has been adopted as the unofficial anthem ofEnglish football, MGM has teamed up with UMBRO.COM to give fans the opportunityto buy THE GREAT ESCAPE as a WORLD CUP COLLECTOR’S EDITION. It features extraspecial fixtures for supporters – including a fantastic 5ft by 3ft St George’sCross flag in pack, an exclusive documentary featuring interviews with Englandfootballers and the Supporters Band, fantastic football clips including theglorious moment when Beckham’s free kick ensured England’s place in the WorldCup, AND a fantastic competition to win signed England shirts.

A great blend of action, humour and pathos, THE GREAT ESCAPE is a masterfulcollaboration between director John Sturges (The Magnificent Seven), screenwritersJames Clavell (Shogun) and W. R. Burnett (Little Ceasar), and composer ElmerBernstein.

Starring STEVE MCQUEEN in one of the most distinguished casts ever assembled,the film details the daring escape plan of a group of Allied POW’s from a Naziprisoner of war camp in World War II.

Due to repeated escape attempts the Nazis have built a state of the art detentioncamp to house the Allied forces highest risk prisoners. A group of the prisonerslead by Roger Bartlett ‘Big X’ (RICHARD ATTENBOROUGH) plan an elaborate escapeattempt. Roger believes he has one last escape attempt in him, this time thoughinstead of breaking out a few men he is planning the biggest, most daring attemptyet.

With the help of Bob ‘the Scrounger’ Hendley (JAMES GARNER) they manage to gatherthe provisions necessary for the tunnelling and most importantly the paperworkfor when they get out. The team get to work with their allocated tasks, Danny ‘The Tunnel King’ Wilkins (CHARLES BRONSON) digging all hours, Colin ‘The Forger’Blythe (DONALD PLEASANCE) getting the paperwork ready and the rest includingLouis ‘The Manufacturer’ Sedgwick (JAMES COBURN) trying not to get caught bythe suspicious officers.

Oblivious to the plan Virgil ‘The Cooler King’ Hilts (MCQUEEN) has his own agendaand is doing a fine job of diverting the attention away from the main escapeattempt by repeatedly getting caught himself. When Roger’s team are ready fortheir bid for freedom they enlist Virgil to join the attempt, however he needsto fulfill one crucial element of the escape plan.

The Special and the World Cup Collector’s Editions

Available as a two disc edition with fascinating behind-the-scenes and featurettes including interviews with the all-star cast and crew, this MCQUEEN classic will be released as a SPECIAL EDITION (RRP £19.99) with the following extras:

• Dolby 5.1 Sound
• Audio Commentary by cast and crew
• “The Real Virgil Hilts” documentary
• “The Great Escape: Heroes Underground” documentary
• “The Great Escape: The Untold Story” documentary
• “The Great Escape: The Untold Story” Additional Interviews
• Trivia Track
• Theatrical trailer
• Photo Galleries

The Greatest War Film Ever Has Just Gone Into Extra Time! MGM has linked withUMBRO.COM to also produce a disc which football fans are guaranteed to makeextra time for! The WORLD CUP COLLECTOR’S EDITION (RRP £22.99) is the essentialpurchase for any self-respecting fan of the greatest game, it has everythingyou need to fully enjoy the World Cup. It will feature the wealth of addedmaterials listed above plus some extra special fixtures:

• Fantastic offer to win signed England shirts
• 5ft by 3ft St George’s Cross flag in pack
• “UMBRO.COM -The World Cup From The Tunnel to The Terrace” feature including interviews with England Footballers such as David Seaman and Alan Shearer, and the chance to re-live England’s qualification thanks to Beckham’s inspirational free kick
• UMBRO 1999 Great Escape marketing campaign

Buy it for McQueen and Country!News page content input by Dominic Robinson, 2002.