The Last Escape

This is a fun movie so long as you don't expect historical accuracy or a deep plot. The plot moves along nicely and is there is almost continuous action. This is basically one big long chase movie, where the British and Americans try to rescue German rocket scientists at the end of WWII before the scientists can fall into the hands of the Russians.

I could go for pages about the historical inaccuracies of this film but that would be beside the point. This movie succeeds very well at its intentions of being a low budget action film.

If you can accept this, then The Last Escape is a fun ride.

Watchable enough but very far from being a gripping all action war film. Set during the war but the blonde lady was wearing a hair style and a mini skirt very much of the time the film was made, 1968, the men's hair styles were also of 1968. The mud applied to the very obvious very clean vehicles was, as always, unconvincing as being dirt picked up as a result of normal vehicle use.

Strange to see Mike Baldwin of Coronation Street (UK) fame in a Nazi uniform but he had just a few lines. Plenty of colourful explosions to be admired, possibly too many. Worth a watch with the brain in neutral gear.

Probably one of the worst WWII action movies ever made...

Plot is minimal; characterization non-existent. Most of the movie seems to consist of two groups of men, both dressed in German uniforms, shooting each other with sub-machine guns.

The attack by Mosquito fighter-bombers seems to be footage lifted from the movie "633 Squadron". The Norwegian fjord looks awfully familiar, and so do some of the German anti-aircraft gunners.

Whitman, as leading man, is mind-numbingly uninspiring... like a poor man's Ronald Regan, only worse.

Avoid at all costs...

As the Western Allies advance into Germany in 1945, the Soviet Red Army is advancing from the East with both sides wanting to apprehend a notable rocket scientist. An American captain (Whitman) heads a special force of Allies.

"The Last Escape" is similar to "The Bridge at Remagen" and "Hornets' Nest," both released around the same time, except that this one would take 3rd place due to questionable execution and editing of the action scenes. It just comes across low-rent and quickly put-together.

Nevertheless, there's lots of action and you can't beat the authentic German locations. It fills the bill if you're in the mood for WW2 movie from the European theater. It helps that an attempt at human interest is included in the mix, particularly the inclusion of civilians that want out of Germany; and the boy. Blonde Margit Saad is a nice addition.

The ending is an interesting nod to the meeting of the Allies and the Soviets at the Elbe River near Torgau on April 25, 1945.

It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Munich in southeastern Germany.

GRADE: B-

Set during the final days of WWII when the Allied army and Russian troops invaded Germany , there an American commando led by Lee Mitchell : Stuart Whitman is assigned a dangerous trek to enter a military base and take a scientist . As the brave commando dressed in German uniforms race against time to free a rocket scientist called Von Heineken : Pinkas Braun . Later on , they escape while are pursued both the Nazi army and Russian troops that want to take the prestigious scientific for their own purports .

Run-of-the-mill Warlike movie with nothing special , packing pursuits , crossfire , bombing , and boastful escapades . This is one of many films produced by the Brit Oakmont Production along with : "Hell Boats" , "Attack on the Iron Coast" , "The Thousand Plane Raid" , "Submarine X1" , "Mosquito Squadron" , all of them made in medium budgets and mingling stock footage here and there . As well as following in the wake of the 60s classics , such as : "When the Eagles dare" , "Navarone Guns" , "Tobruk" , "Dirty Dozen" . As always , there is the regular suicide mission to be executed by a commando to carry it out behind the enemy lines , while suffering throughout lots of obstacles , attacks , aerial bombing and other risked inconvenient dangers and drawbacks . Behind Enemy Lines ...Nothing could stand in their Way ! They lied Their Way in ....They must fight their Way Out ! .

The motion picture filmed in Munich , Bavaria, Germany , was professionally directed by Walter Grauman , though with neither much interest , nor originaly , but mere artificiality and routine , though maintaining spectacular images enough to keep things interesting . Apparently , director Grauman worked on the film's original screenplay with writer/producer John C. Champion but uncredited for such . Walter Grauman was an artisan whose works remain undervalued in USA , directing mostly TV episodes and occassionally for cinema , making the following ones : "Nightmare on the 13th Floor" , "Outrage" , "Scene of the Crime" , "Pleasure palace" , "To race the Wind" , "Are you in the house alone ?" , "The Streets of San Francisco" , "Most Wanted" , "Force five" , "Manhunter" , "Paper Man", "Lady in Cage" and directing another warfare flick in similar style : "833 Squadron" . Rating : 4.5/10 , Mediocre and so-so . Only for WWII hardcore enthusiasts and fans of the recently deceased actor Stuart Whitman who had a long and uneven career . The movie isn't a classic by any means , but not a turkey either , being a passable cool time-waster for wartime stories .