When I give thought to my favorite World War II movies and war films in general, my top pick is still 1963's The Great Escape. This epic movie was produced and directed by John Sturges, based on Paul Brickhill's non-fiction book of the same name (still in print today). The movie stars an ensemble cast of highly acclaimed actors, including Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, Hannes Messemer, David McCallum, Karl-Otto Alberty, Gordon Jackson, John Leyton, and Angus Lennie.

For those who have yet to see this classic (rent or buy here), The Great Escape depicts the mass escape of British Commonwealth prisoners of war from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III in Sagan, Nazi Germany, during World War II. Though the movie takes several creative liberties for commercial success, the overall narrative doesn't fail to awe the audience with its thrilling action sequences and well-paced storytelling.

The movie's character development is impressive, with each character having a unique backstory, which allows the audience to empathize with them better. The film's themes of camaraderie, trust, and bravery are beautifully depicted by the actors, especially Steve McQueen, who played the highly memorable role of Captain Virgil Hilts.

Steve McQueen's portrayal of Captain Virgil Hilts 'The Cooler King', is widely regarded as one of the greatest performances of his career. McQueen's character is marked by his rebellious spirit and iron will, as he repeatedly attempts to escape and outwit the German authorities. In addition to his impressive acting skills, McQueen also performed many of his own stunts in the film, further cementing his reputation as a true Hollywood icon. One of the most iconic scenes in the film features McQueen's character making a daring motorcycle escape attempt, a scene that has since become a classic in cinematic history.

The Great Escape, with a stunning musical score composed by Elmer Bernstein, emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of 1963, captivating audiences and critics alike. The film won McQueen the award for Best Actor at the Moscow International Film Festival and has since become a classic war film, credited for its gripping storyline, impressive character development, and masterful direction.

Many of the film's actors served during the war. Donald Pleasence was a British World War II veteran who spent time in German Stalag Luft I when his Lancaster NE112 was shot down during an attack on Agenville, France. Hannes Messemer, who portrayed camp Commandant 'von Luger', served on the Eastern Front and was eventually captured by Soviet soldiers. He managed to escape and make it back to Germany on foot. Charles Bronson joined the United States Army Air Forces in 1943. His flew as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress aerial gunner with the Guam-based 61st Bombardment Squadron under the 39th Bombardment Group. During his service, he undertook combat missions against the Japanese home islands, carrying out a total of 25 missions. As a result of the battles, Bronson was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in his line of duty.

Steve McQueen served with the U.S. Marine Corps after World War II. James Garner served with the Merchant Marine at the end of the War, and later joined the U.S. Army and fought in Korea with the 24th Infantry Division where he earned two Purple Hearts. - Scott Lyons, Ed.