The Great Escape: A Look Back at the Motorcycle Stunts

The Great Escape is an epic war/adventure film that starred the incredible cast of Steve McQueen, James Garner, and Richard Attenborough. The movie is a fictionalized version of Paul Brickhill’s 1950 nonfiction book of the same name, chronicling when British soldiers staged a mass escape from the German prisoners of war camp, Stalag Luft III during World War II.

The movie was released 60 years ago on July 4, 1963, and earned a spot as one of the highest grossing films of the year. From the time of the movie’s release, it has received positive critical praise, it was nominated for an Oscar for film editing and it was nominated for the Golden Globe best picture.

The Great Escape featured multiple stunts, including several set on motorcycles – which worked well for the film’s star who was a well known motorcycle rider and enthusiast. There was a notable motorcycle leap in the movie, which McQueen wanted to perform. However, the film’s insurance precluded him from doing it, so his friend and fellow rider Bud Ekins stepped in to perform the stunt.

Though he couldn’t do the stunt for the movie, McQueen and motor cross rider Tim Gibbes both decided to do the stunt for fun. When second unit director Robert Relyea saw the footage, he admitted that they could have used any of the three performances for the final cut of the movie.

McQueen was able to do other motorcycle stunts and scenes for the movie. He performed in other parts of the chase scene, playing his character, Hilts, and the soldiers who were chasing him.