The Great Escaper Parent Guide

It’s been 70 years since Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) survived the danger and terror of D-Day but the 89-year-old pensioner hasn’t forgotten. An official ceremony to mark the event has been planned, but Bernie was unable to obtain a place in the official trip organized by the Royal British Legion. Not one to give up easily, Bernie dons his medals, stuffs some goods into a plastic bag, makes his way to Brighton, and catches a ferry to France.

Bernie’s frail wife, Irene (known as Rene and played by Glenda Jackson), is aware of his plans, but she doesn’t share that information with the staff at the care home where they live. As the hours pass, the staff become increasingly concerned, finally contacting the police. When Rene spills the beans and the cops are called off, her husband is dubbed “The Great Escaper” and gains a national profile.

Now in France, Bernie is unaware of the media attention his trip has garnered back home. Instead, he’s spending time with a young veteran (Victor Oshin) reeling from the trauma of his service in Afghanistan and a contemporary from the RAF, Arthur Howard-Johnson (John Standing), a man with his own terrible D-Day burden. Maybe, just maybe, they will be able to help each other bury the demons of their past…

The Great Escaper is not revolutionary cinema. It’s not a gripping war movie – in fact, there’s precious little battlefield footage. What it is, is a perfect little film about resilience, grief, loss, hope, courage, and the unmatched power of love. This is the story of an enduring marriage, one which binds love, trust, humor, and dedication so tightly together that Bernie and Rene are able to overcome the challenges of a lifetime, remaining each other’s touchstone even as they know their time together is short. It’s a beautiful story, filled with moments of pathos, tenderness, forgiveness, humor, and hard-earned wisdom.

Character-based films live or die on the ability of the cast, and, thankfully, The Great Escaper has magnificent actors. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson are some of the most talented actors of their generation, and they imbue this story with vulnerability, love, and unfailing devotion. The actors who play their younger selves, Laura Marcus and Will Fletcher, also turn in fine performances, filled with energy, passion, and justifiable apprehension.

Best of all, this fine film comes with little in the way of negative content. Wartime flashbacks feature plenty of peril but no gore and the sexual content is limited to kissing. There are four swear words in the script, and a few scenes of drinking and smoking (not surprising considering the context). The film is unrated in the USA, but its limited negative content puts it on the soft end of a PG-13 rating – not that this is a film that will appeal to youngsters.

As for those of us who no longer feel young, The Great Escaper has both hope and wisdom to offer. As Rene and Bernie look back over their long life together, Rene points out that although they didn’t do anything dramatic, they did simple things and did them well. Which is exactly what this film has done.