Stalag 17 (1953) | |
| Director(s) | Billy Wilder |
| Producer(s) | William Schorr (associate), Billy Wilder |
| Top Genres | Comedy, Drama, War |
| Top Topics | Based on Play, Spies, World War II |
Featured Cast:
Stalag 17 Overview:
Stalag 17 (1953) was a Comedy - Drama Film directed by Billy Wilder and produced by Billy Wilder and William Schorr.
The film was based on the play of the same name written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski performed at the 48th Street Theatre, NY from May 8, 1951 - Jun 21, 1952.
SYNOPSIS
One of the greatest of the postwar WWII movies isn't a flag-waving storm-the-beaches epic or a homefront melodrama, but this POW-camp adventure with a black-comic edge. Wilder's biting, cynical dialogue looks presciently forward to the antihero war movies that would follow in the late '60s and the '70s. In a camp run with an iron fist by sadistic commandant Preminger, G.I.s keep themselves sane by planning escapes and pulling pranks on the guards. Keeping his mates at arm's length, Holden rejects the patriotic motivations of his comrades and engages in black-market trade with his captors and the women's compound. When a spy infiltrates the ranks, Holden's the obvious suspect. But after a beating, Holden uncovers the culprit and volunteers - for his own commercial reasons - for a heroic assignment. One of Wilder's greatest scripts (and he shot it nearly word-for-word), given a terrific reading from Holden and a deep cast of supporting actors.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
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Academy Awards 1953 --- Ceremony Number 26 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | William Holden | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Robert Strauss | Nominated |
| Best Director | Billy Wilder | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
William Holden is a prisoner in “Stalag 17”
By Stephen Reginald on Mar 26, 2021 From Classic Movie ManWilliam Holden is a prisoner in “Stalag 17” Stalag 17 (1953) is an American comedy-drama directed by Billy Wilder set in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II. The film is based on the Broadway play of the same name written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski. Bevan and... Read full article
There's a Spy in Stalag 17
By Rick29 on Nov 24, 2019 From Classic Film & TV CafeWilliam Holden as Sefton. Considering it was made by one of Hollywood's most versatile directors, it's no surprise that Billy Wilder's Stalag 17 flows back and forth effortlessly between drama and comedy. Set in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II, the dramatic storyline focuses on a ... Read full article
COMEDY GOLD #16: Animal and Shapiro from Stalag 17 (1953)
By Carol Martinheira on Jun 22, 2019 From The Old Hollywood GardenCOMEDY GOLD #16: Animal and Shapiro from Stalag 17 (1953) On June 22, 2019June 22, 2019 By CarolIn Uncategorized Birthday boy Billy Wilder’s flair for balacing comedy and drama in the same movie is legendary and revered. And, barring The Apartment (1960), one cou... Read full article
Review: Stalag 17 (1953)
By 4 Star Film Fan on May 26, 2019 From 4 Star FilmsI grew up with Hogan’s Heroes reruns on our Magnavox analog television. In fact, at one point it was my favorite show because it had such a colorful cast, it was perennially entertaining and utterly goofy to the extreme. But others have understandably?decried the show because they see it findi... Read full article
Stalag 17 (1953, Billy Wilder)
By Andrew Wickliffe on Apr 17, 2019 From The Stop ButtonStalag 17 opens with narration explaining the film isn?t going to be like those other WWII pictures, where the soldiers are superhuman and the film bleeds patriotism. No, Stalag 17 is going to be something different?first off, it takes place not on the battlefield, but a German prison camp. Through ... Read full article
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Quotes from
Oberst Von Scherbach: Curtains would do wonders for this barracks. You will not get them.
Sgt. Schulz: [preparing POWs for an important inspection] The barracks should be schpic, and also schpan!
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Facts about
To improve the chances for commercial success in West Germany (at that time already an important market for Hollywood) a Paramount executive suggested to Billy Wilder that he should make the camp guards Poles rather than Germans. Wilder, whose mother and stepfather had died in the concentration camps, furiously refused and demanded an apology from the executive. When it didn't come, Wilder did not extend his contract at Paramount
Charlton Heston was originally considered for the role of Sgt. J.J. Sefton, but when the script was altered to make the character less heroic, he was dropped in favor of someone more suitable for the role. Kirk Douglas stated he was next in line and declined the part, making William Holden the third choice.
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