Stalag 17
Seen it?1953 | 120 min | Comedy, Drama, War
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes), it won an Oscar, it made about 6 times its budget and it's still drawing plenty of interest. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who wants a laugh and history buffs. If you loved Schindler's List or Inglourious Basterds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr.
- What might put you off
- Made in 1953: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After two American prisoners are killed by guards in the act of escaping from a German POW camp in World War II, barracks black marketeer J.J. Sefton is suspected of being an informer.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.7 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Won 1 Oscar: Best Actor. Also nominated for 2 more Oscars. Plus 1 other award.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$10 million worldwide on a $2 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 126K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
Schindler's List Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed war drama.
Inglourious Basterds Friday Night FlickAnother much-loved war drama.
Biloxi Blues
Sunday Safe BetAnother musical dramedy, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
The Catcher Was a Spy
Weeknight WatchAnother spy war drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Glory Friday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed war drama.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Billy Wilder
- William HoldenJ.J. Sefton
- Don TaylorJames Dunbar
- Otto PremingerOberst von Scherbach
- Robert StraussStanislaus 'Animal' Kuzawa
- Harvey LembeckHarry Shapiro
- Richard ErdmanHoffy Hoffman
- Peter GravesFrank Price
- Neville BrandDuke
- Sig RumanJohann Schulz
- Michael MooreManfredi