The Great Escaper sees two-time Oscar winners Sir Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson reuniting top portray the real-life story of Bernard Jordan who in 2014 escaped from his care home in Hove, East Sussex, to attend the 70th anniversary commemoration of the D-Day Landings in France.
British acting legends Sir Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson first acted together in The Romantic Englishwoman back in 1976, and now Michael will play plucky Bernard, aka Bernie, who staged his “big escape” to honour his fallen comrades in Normandy, while Glenda is his wife, Rene. Bernard’s time on the run lasted a mere 48 hours but it captured the hearts of the British public.
Writer William Ivory wants the audience to feel they’ve been on an emotional journey when they leave the cinema: "They’ve laughed, they’ve cried, but ultimately they should leave feeling that life is worth living."
Director Oliver Parker says: "There are so many extraordinary stories which are still coming out because, like Bernie, they didn't talk about it. A lot of these things are still being unearthed."
Here’s everything you need to know about The Great Escaper…
The Great Escaper release date
The Great Escaper had its cinematic premiere in London on September 19 2023 and opened in UK cinemas from Friday October 6.
The Great Escaper will be shown on Sky Cinema in the UK in June 2024. At the moment it’s unclear if it will also be shown on a streaming service such as Netflix or Prime Video but we’ll update you on that.
Running time is 96 minutes and in the UK it's certificate 12A. Below is a clip of Sir Michael Caine and the rest of the cast at the London premiere...
Is there a trailer for The Great Escaper?
Yes a trailer for The Great Escaper has now been released which shows the wonderful chemistry between Sir Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson in her last ever role. Do take a look below, plus another recently released clip below it...
The Great Escaper plot
The Great Escaper follows the adventures of D-Day veteran, former Royal Navy Lieutenant Bernie Jordan (Michael Caine), who in 2014 sneaked out of his East Sussex care home to travel to Normandy to pay his respects on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings. He told his carers he was “popping to the shops” but instead walked to Brighton railway station, travelled to Portsmouth and bought a one-way ferry ticket to Caen, sparking a police search for him.
Back in 2014, Bernie said, “In the months leading up to the anniversary I was trying to get an official trip to Normandy but I didn’t have the necessary passes. Then, the day before D-Day I saw all the TV coverage and thought, “I have to go and be part of it.” I was naughty and secretive.” He died a year later, aged 90, and his wife Irene, or Rene (Glenda Jackson) died just a week later.
Bernard's adventure, spanning 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene, celebrating their enduring love but always with an eye to the lessons we might learn from the Greatest Generation.
The Great Escaper cast — Michael Caine on playing Bernard 'Bernie' Jordan
In The Great Escaper, Michael Caine plays pensioner Bernard who secretly journeyed to France, despite his health concerns, to commemorate his fellow World War Two soldiers.
"Mentally Glenda and I hadn't aged," explained Michael shortly after filming. "To us we were still young and having fun and ready for a laugh.’"
Cockney actor Michael Caine made his name in the 1960s, starring in films such as Zulu, The Italian Job, Alfie, and The Ipcress File. He won Oscars for his roles in The Cider House Rules and Hannah and her Sisters and has also starred in The Muppet Christmas Carol, Little Voice, The Quiet American, Educating Rita, Jaws 4: The Revenge, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Miss Congeniality and The Dark Knight trilogy.
The late Glenda Jackson as Irene Jordan, aka Rene
Stage and screen legend Glenda Jackson, who sadly passed away after a short illness in June 2023, plays Bernie’s wife Rene in what was her last screen role before her death earlier in 2023.
When asked why she agreed to play the part of Rene, Glenda said: ‘I thought it was an excellent screenplay. The story is more important in a way than their love for each other. I think it has a wider relevance because their concern and their care extend beyond just themselves.’
After Glenda's death, the following statement was issued by the film’s director, Oliver Parker, on behalf of the filmmakers:
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Glenda’s passing. It was the privilege of a lifetime to work with her. She had such fierce intelligence, such passion, and fearlessness. It is hard to believe that it was less than a month ago that we screened the finished film for her and Michael – she was as feisty and vibrant as ever and we will treasure the memory of that emotional and happy day.”
In a separate statement, Michael Caine said:
“Glenda was one of our greatest movie actresses. It was a privilege to work with her on The Great Escaper recently, our second film together. It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her.”
Glenda won two Oscars, for Women in Love in 1969 and A Touch of Class in 1973. She’s also starred acclaimed movies such as Sunday Bloody Sunday, Mary, Queen of Scots, Hedda Gabler, and more recently in the BBC1 drama Elizabeth is Missing. On TV she starred in the BBC's 1971 miniseries Elizabeth R and was the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate from 1992 to 2017 during which time she took a break from acting. Her only son is the political journalist Dan Hodges.
Who else is starring in The Great Escaper?
Other cast for The Great Escaper includes Will Fletcher and Laura Marcus as the younger Bernie and Rene, Victor Oshin as Scott Selwood, plus John Standing.
Danielle Vitalis, who plays Rene's carer Adele, says: ‘Glenda Jackson brought a lot of love to her role. Her portrayal of Rene is both soft and caring but also because of her wealth of experience as an actor, performer, and activist in real life, you could sense that here was a life fully lived. And I think those two aspects – character and actor - amalgamated and created such a beautiful, multi-dimensional character performance. It’s beautiful for me as an actor to be able to respond to that.’
Below is a clip of Laura Marcus, who plays young Rene, talking about filming The Great Escaper...
Behind the scenes and more about The Great Escaper
The Great Escaper is produced by BAFTA-nominees Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae (Nowhere Boy) and is an Ecosse Films production for Pathé and BBC Film. Executive Producers are Cameron McCracken for Pathé and Eve Yates for BBC Film.
The creative team includes BAFTA-nominated Cinematographer Christopher Ross (The Swimmers, Room), BAFTA-winner Editor Paul Tothill (Blithe Spirit, Atonement), Production Designer Nick Palmer (Das Boot), BAFTA-nominated Costume Designer Emma Fryer (The Great), Hair and Make-Up by Jacqueline Fowler (War & Peace) and a score by the Academy Award nominated composer George Fenton (The Duke, Allelujah). Pathé will distribute the film in the UK, France and Switzerland and will handle sales throughout the rest of the world.
