Anatomy Of A Classic

The War Room: Stalag 17 (1953)

I first came across Stalag 17 sometime early in high school when AMC was running it for what seemed like twice a day for a couple weeks straight (I mean seriously, they get a hold of a film and play it to death, right?) My dad was watching it on TV and I came by and thought, “Oh look, a black and white war film. Booorrring.” Except that soon I found myself asking questions and getting interested in the plot. A couple years later, I added the film to my personal collection and was finally able to watch the whole thing through.

The Plot

The film takes place in the German prisoner-of-war camp, Stalag 17, during World War II. At the beginning of the film, two men from Barracks 4 have planned an escape but are caught by guards who, as the prisoners conclude, seem to have been informed of the plan. The likely suspect is William Holden’s character, Sefton. Sefton is cynical, selfish, and willing to make a profit any way he can so he seems like a natural traitor. The stakes are raised when the men decide to try and help a new prisoner, Lieutenant Dunbar, who the Nazis have decided to send to Berlin for questioning, escape. Who is giving the inside information to the guards and will he be caught in time for Dunbar to make his escape? You’ll have to watch the film to find that out.

What I like about the film

Like most Billy Wilder films, the writing is snappy and at times comical. An example is when Animal, one of the men in Barracks 4 who has an obsession with Betty Grable, finds out a new prisoner does impressions:

Animal: Hey… do Grable.
Bagradian: Now see here, Scarlett… I’m crazy about you and always have been. I gave you kisses for breakfast, kisses for lunch, and kisses for supper… and now I find that you’re eating out.
Animal: Not Gable – GRABLE.

Even with the bits of comedy the film is still quite suspenseful. Wilder’s work behind the camera draws the viewer in and makes them feel like they too are in the barrack and have a stake in finding the informer. The film was shot in sequence and supposedly none of the actors knew which character was the mole. William Holden is especially excellent as Sefton and won an Academy Award for the part. Check out director Otto Preminger in a rare appearance in front of the cameras as the German commander of Stalag 17.

Join us for our next installment of The War Room which will be on the British film, The Man Who Never Was (1956).