The Great Escape poster

The Great Escape

1963172 minutesApproved
4
Arcplot Score
📝 Unconventional
Unverified
⭐ 8.2IMDb
🍅 94%Rotten Tomatoes
Ⓜ️ 86/100Metacritic
🎬 7.9TMDb
📊 4.0Popularity
🏆Nominated for 1 Oscar. 3 wins & 12 nominations total
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Thriller
Directed by: John Sturges
Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist-type prisoners-of-war are all put in an "escape proof" camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the movie is played for comedy, as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use planes, trains, and boats to get out of occupied Europe.

Box Office

Budget:$4.0M
Revenue:$11.7M
Profit:$7.7M

Arcplot Score Breakdown

Beat Timing Precision6/10
Emotional Arc Impact1/10
Thematic Consistency5/10
Overall Score4/10

Beat Sheet

15 plot points

The Great Escape Arcplot
1
Opening Image
1 min
2
Theme Stated
10 min
3
Set-Up
20 min
4
Catalyst
30 min
5
Debate
50 min
6
Break Into Two
60 min
7
B Story
70 min
8
Fun and Games
90 min
9
Midpoint
110 min
10
Bad Guys Close In
140 min
11
All Is Lost
150 min
12
Dark Night of the Soul
160 min
13
Break Into Three
165 min
14
Finale
170 min
15
Final Image
172 min

Emotional Arc

+100-10

Plot Points

#1

Opening Image

1 min

POW camp is introduced, soldiers' routines show discipline but underlying restlessness.

#2

Theme Stated

10 min

Themes of ingenuity, freedom, and camaraderie are hinted early.

#3

Set-Up

20 min

The prisoners bond, plan, and identify weaknesses in the camp for escape.

#4

Catalyst

30 min

Capturing and learning from guards’ routines reveals an opportunity for escape.

#5

Debate

50 min

Prisoners question whether escape is possible or too dangerous.

#6

Break Into Two

60 min

They begin tunneling and preparing elaborate plans.

#7

B Story

70 min

Subplots with friendships and morale-boosting moments support the main narrative.

#8

Fun and Games

90 min

Tension builds as prisoners dig tunnels, forge documents, and plan timing.

#9

Midpoint

110 min

The escape begins; stakes peak as risks are fully realized.

#10

Bad Guys Close In

140 min

Guards discover escapes, pursue recaptured men, tension escalates.

#11

All Is Lost

150 min

Several prisoners are caught or killed, hope falters.

#12

Dark Night of the Soul

160 min

Survivors reflect on sacrifices and losses.

#13

Break Into Three

165 min

Remaining escapees make final moves, clever strategies employed.

#14

Finale

170 min

Successful escapees reach freedom, blending triumph and tragedy.

#15

Final Image

172 min

The camp is quiet; echoes of courage and camaraderie linger.