The Great Escaper

"The Great Escaper is a film inspired by a moving true anecdote and is notable for featuring the final performances of the legendary Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. The story is about a World War II veteran who, unable to join a trip to France to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-Day in 2014, decides to escape from the nursing home and go on his own. This initiates a parallel narrative between Bernie's journey and what his wife Rene experiences at the nursing home. Although somewhat superficial, the film presents reflections on the ways war is typically portrayed—and idealized—in cinema. However, it manages to avoid cheap sentimentality, thanks largely to the phenomenal performances of its unparalleled leads."