The Wooden Horse (1950)

I love this movie so much

good back-story, and good acting

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

Peter, John, and Phil, (played by Leo Genn, Anthony Steel, and David Tomlinson respectively) are POWs with a plan to escape : make a vaulting horse that can carry a man inside, and while the other chaps are busy jumping, have that man work on a tunnel and when done, cover up the hole and get carried back in the horse-all right under the German's noses. This approach takes far less time, but is much more dangerous, as even a small cave-in could instantly bring the 'goons' down on the heroes. After months of of digging, vaulting, and planning, the three men escape. But now comes the really tricky part : getting out of Germany to a neutral country. Peter and John travel together, with John doing all the talking because Peter can't speak German or French. Several times, it looks like they've had it, as German police inspect their hotel, a French contact seems to rather do them more harm than good, and a mysterious man follows them through the streets. So yes, they may have escaped from the POW camp, but can they escape from Germany? The story is told in true British fashion : no-nonsense, crisp dialogue, and cutting-edge tension throughout the film. Not one moment in this film can be described as boring, and every scene flows. Some other reviewers have said that its 'shelf-life has expired', but for anyone who appreciates a good story, script, and acting over senseless compilations of scenes, scripts that are thrown together simply to make money, and more explosions and car chases than actual dialogue and acting, this movie is a gem. It really captures (pardon the pun) the spirit of a British POW : determined, calm in every situation, and bloody clever. Leo Genn, as Peter, delivers an impeccable, sincere performance which he deserves much credit for. Genn was, in my opinion, one of Britian's best actors, and his talents are more than evident here. His line delivery would make any speech teacher jealous, and his movements and reactions are always followed through. He steals the show from the beginning and never lets go. An excellent performance from one of the greats. Anthony Steel, as John, also gives a good performance. Younger than Genn's Peter, Steel is the one who comes up with the wooden horse idea, and is constantly pushing to get out. He's the young bull who says 'lets dash down!' while Peter is the old bull who says 'lets stroll down'. He and Genn have great chemistry, and their friendship seems quite genuine. Steel is believable, eager, and great to watch. David Tomlinson, as Phil, though not given much screen time, still manages to put in a solid performance. He is funny and charming, just like later on in 'Mary Poppins'. Not the brightest chap in the camp, or the bravest, but he shows his teethe when needed. A delight to watch, and you can't help but love the guy. In summary, this is a marvelous film of a true story. All involved clearly put their heart into this production. The acting is superb, the script excellent, and the art of suspense is mastered to a "T". It will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, and you'll also have a few good laughs in the process. They don't make them like this anymore, which is a real shame. "The Wooden Horse" will be a favorite of mine for the rest of my life.

The Wooden Horse was one of the daring Prisoner of War escape films. It features the true story of Eric Williams and two others in their escape from Stalag-Lufft III in October of 1943. This was the same POW camp where the Great Escape took place as well and which also got turned into a more famous film.The connection with the more grander film is important as you watch this film you see the prisoners trying to obtain permission from the escape committee with their plans which also occurs in The Great Escape as well.In this film two British prisoners of war decide not to have the usual tunnel escape but build a wooden vaulting horse which could be placed near the wire fence thus reducing the distance they would have to tunnel from this starting point to escape.The first half of the movie is more exciting as they carry out their daring plan with one or two prisoners hiding inside the vault and then digging the tunnel.The second half of the film is once they have escaped they try to get to the safety of Sweden. Here David Tomlinson who plays one of the escapees disappears from the film as we concentrate on Leo Gen and Anthony Steel. This part of the film feels dull, long and oddly lacks tension especially compared to The Great Escape which made this part more thrilling.I always had childhood memories of The Wooden Horse and the escape part. Its nice to be reacquainted with the film again. There are some nice unstated performances, an early appearance by future Oscar winner Peter Finch and parts for some British film stalwarts such as Bryan Forbes.Its just a shame that the latter part of the film lets it down.

Said my father sagely as we strode out of the Plaza Arcade and across the High Street into the teatime darkness,I hoping to get a glimpse of the day - old chicks in "Sainsbury's" window,he hoping to get a cup of tea and a hot apple pie in "Lyon's" before they closed. To be fair to staff at Stalag Luft 111,that was his default position for any perceived failure by those in authority. The Polio epidemic wouldn't have occurred if Rommel had been in charge of the Health Service and those contemporary fear - figures the Cosh Boys(later to be followed by Teddy Boys,Mods and Rockers and,ultimately Punks)could never have flourished in a justice system with Rommel at the helm. Having fought the German Field Marshal in North Africa(not hand to hand you understand,although he often distilled the "Last bit of unpleasantness with the hun" as he termed it,down to Desert Rat (him) Vs Desert Fox (Rommel)for whom he felt a most un - British reverence. Certainly the Germans guarding Messrs Genn,Steele,Tomlinson et al seemed to be sleeping on the job as our heroes casually dumped the soil excavated from their escape tunnel from their trouser pockets and literally kicked over the traces. "The Wooden Horse" was the first of a seemingly endless series of films showing British officers kicking scruffy footballs about like demented 9 year - olds,dressing up as women to entertain their chums and digging holes in the ground. In retrospect the POW genre veered from the sublime - "Bridge on the River Kwai" to the bizarre - "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence" via the frankly camp(sorry) "The password is courage" to the overblown and noisy "The Great Escape". But it's gestation came with the true story of an ingenious escape engineered by some necessarily athletic officers that required them to engage in hearty gymnastics whilst tunnelling a jolly long way under the perimeter fence. 65 years have added a piquancy to this cheaply - made workmanlike effort by a journeyman director. The actors are fondly - remembered - except for Mr A.Steele who appears to have been unfairly forgotten after an Icarus - like career. There followed a deluge of books telling of more and more unlikely escapes from the clutches of the Master Race that made one wonder how they contrived to make the war in Europe last six years (well,four if you're a Yank). This film should be shown to Angela Merkel to remind her that her Vaterland didn't always have things all its own way. as we walked down a poorly - lit Swan Lane father kept an eye open for lurking Cosh Boys and I envisioned day - old chicks tunnelling their way out of our chicken run at home. No,nobody could make a film out of that - could they?

Playing out as a sort of pre runner to The Great Escape some 13 years later, this smashing little British film plays it straight with no thrills and dare do well overkill. First part of the movie is the set up and subsequent escape of our protagonists, whilst the second part concentrates on their survival whilst on the run as they try to reach Sweden. The film relies on pure characters with simple, effective, and yes, believable dialogue to carry it thru, and it achieves its aims handsomely. No little amount of suspense keeps the film ticking along, and as an adventure story it works perfectly for the time frame it adheres to, so a big thumbs to the film that may well be the first of its type? 7/10