Review of Stalag 17 (1953) by Adam R — 14 Jun 2010
"Stalag 17", the story of American sergeants living in a muddy German POW camp, is sort of a conglomeration of several genres: comedy, drama, war, mystery... which has a couple of differing effects.
On the one hand, the film doesn't always feel unified, lacking stylistic identity and focus. But on the other hand, there's something in this film for everyone, and Billy Wilder's sure-handed direction ends up making "Stalag 17" a satisfying piece of entertainment.
It's never boring. William Holden is superb as a suspicious antihero at whom all his fellow POWs look askance. They suspect him of tipping off the Nazi commandant (well played by movie director Otto Preminger) of their secret escape plans and contraband items.
For a while, this ambiguity about his character is the source of much intrigue, but even after we discover that he is indeed innocent, he remains crusty, self-serving, and cynical. There's no easy way to like him, but Holden manages to get us in his side and keep us there.
His is the most human character in a cast of them that don't all seem quite realistic.
This review of Stalag 17 (1953) was written by Adam R on 14 Jun 2010.
Stalag 17 has generally received very positive reviews.
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