Donald Pleasence (Dr. Absalon) is the only actor to appear in both this film and La grande évasion (1963), in which he played the would-be escapee Blythe.
Ian McShane's character, Roger Bushell, was the real-life inspiration for Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough) in La grande évasion (1963). This same year, McShane appeared in War and Remembrance (1988) with Karl-Otto Alberty, who had appeared in the original Great Escape film. Also appearing in War and Remembrance was Jane Seymour, who was previously married to Attenborough's son. She was preceded in her role by Ali MacGraw, who was previously married to Steve McQueen. Karl-Otto Alberty appeared in all three films.
The co-director Jud Taylor played Goff (besides James Garner and Steve McQueen, the only other Americans in the camp) in La grande évasion (1963).
Due intermittent post-production marketing for this movie several members were attendees of the most densely packed (UK non-Award), celebrity event Save the Rose Theatre campaigns, public PR day, May 1989. (See also cast and Le jour de l'indépendance (1996).)
Broadcast in 2 parts on NBC-TV on Sunday the 5th and Monday the 6th of November 1988 at 9-11 p.m.