The Colditz Story Reviews

During WW II at Colditz castle, the Germans' escape-proof war prison, Major Pat Reid (John Mills) and other "problem" POWs from the British, Dutch, French, and Polish armies try to figure out various ways of escape. After their tunnel is discovered with the help of a Polish spy planted by the Germans and after several men are machine-gunned to death trying to bridge the barbed wire sea surrounding the fortress, Reid and three others manage to engineer a successful escape in this suspenseful, often humorous war drama that portrays the compelling drive to break out of captivity. The imposing, frightening qualities of Colditz are well presented, lending credence to the "impossible task" premises of the script. The story was reportedly based on the personal experiences of its author, Major P.R. Reid.