210. Stalag 17

Stalag 17 (1953)

Director: Billy Wilder

Starring: William Holden

Otto Preminger

Don Taylor

Robert Strauss

Harvey Lembeck

IMDb Rating: 8

My Rating: 7.5

"There are two guys in this barracks that know I didn't do it. Me and the guy that did do it."

Stalag 17 is the name of a German P.O.W. camp for American airmen during World War II. Even though the men are prisoners of war, they attempt to keep their own spirits high with things such as volleyball games and gambling on mouse races. One evening two men from Barracks Four attempt to escape, but are killed as soon as they cross under the final barbed wire fence via an underground tunnel. This instance, and many others, start to raise suspicions through out Barracks Four. All the men agree that there must be a spy in their midst giving information to the German officers. They immediately accuse Sergeant J.J. Sefton (William Holden) of being the spy and beat him in his bunk. Sefton knows that he is innocent and begins to unravel the mystery of who the spy could actually be.

Stalag 17 is definitely the most light-hearted movie about war that I have seen. There are just as many comedic elements in this film, as dramatic ones. Much of the humor comes from the performances of Robert Strauss and Harvey Lembeck. They get into all sorts of funny predicaments, like painting a white stripe down the middle of the road so that they can get into the women's P.O.W. camp that is next door. At first all the humor threw me off, but eventually I found that it definitely does belong. Stalag 17 really shows that there can be bright moments even in the darkest situations.

Something that really grabbed my attention was the mental state of the prisoners and the way that their barracks treated them. As some characters slowly being to crack, you saw a genuine concern and comradery much like a family. This wasn't something that built over time either. From the very beginning, you are made aware that these men are a team, and rarely seen as individuals. This element is important because it does establish the story of how it's Sergeant Sefton versus everyone else. As a group the barrack decides to turn their back on him, so he must prove his innocence to the group, rather than just a single individual. This makes his struggle even more rewarding, when his innocence is finally proven.

If you are a fan of director Billy Wilder, this film is sure to find your favor. It contains the classic humorous Wilder appeal, while never compromising it's credibility as a great film. I thought this film was very good, and will probably see it again after finding out the identity of the spy. Overall, this movie is really about the friends you make and the true meaning of family. We eventually all get stuck at some point in life. It's the people you surround yourself with that will help you maintain your sanity, and sometimes they'll even help you to explore your insanity.