Great Escape Soundtrack CD
The Great Escape.
1963, MGM.
Elmer Bernstein.
Intrada, 1992, MAF 7025D.
Rating: 
Released in 1963, The Great Escape, about a group of American POW’s busting out through a tunnel beneath the camp, was a big hit. At three hours long, it relied heavily on strong characterisation, a stellar cast, including Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough and a score that could go the distance. Bernstein has pulled out all the stops here; not only is TGE highly listenable but it manages to retain a freshness and originality while holding true to its now infamous main title march that resurfaces throughout. ‘Blythe’ written for Donald Pleasance’s short-sighted photographer is particularly moving, developed further during the first part of ‘Hendley’s Risk’, while ‘More Action’ and ‘The Chase’ are some of Bernstein’s best action cues. Despite the serious subject matter, both director John Sturges’ film and Bernstein’s score are fairly upbeat with moments of high tension interspersed with plenty of humour and likeable characterisation. The darker aspects of the story are primarily incorporated in the opening chords of ‘On The Road’ and ‘Betrayal’, though Bernstein’s ability to pack huge, varied amounts of emotional content into cues running on average two and a half minutes is astonishing, making this almost as impressive, though entirely different from, his work on ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’. Fantastic stuff.
The Great Escape Movie Soundtrack. Review: Tim Mowbray.
Track Listing:
1. Main Title.
2. Premature Plans.
3. Cooler And Mole.
4. Blythe.
5. Discovery.
6. Various Troubles.
7. On The Road.
8. Betrayal.
9. Hendley’s Risk.
10. Road’s End.
11. More Action.
12. The Chase.
13. Finale.
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