The Great Escape (film) stars Steve McQueen as Captain Virgil Hilts, James Garner as Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley, and Richard Attenborough as Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett.
Main cast
- Captain Virgil Hilts (The Cooler King)Steve McQueenMain
- Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley (The Scrounger)James GarnerMain
- Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Big X)Richard AttenboroughMain
- Flight Lieutenant Danny Velinski (Tunnel King)Charles BronsonMain
- Flying Officer Louis Sedgwick (The Manufacturer)James CoburnMain
- Flight Lieutenant Colin Blythe (The Forger)Donald PleasenceMain
- Group Captain Ramsey (The Senior Officer)James DonaldMain
- Lieutenant-Commander Eric Ashley-Pitt (Dispersal)David McCallumMain
- Flight Lieutenant Sandy MacDonald (Mackay)Gordon JacksonMain
Supporting cast
- Flight Lieutenant William Dickes (The Manufacturer’s Assistant)John LeytonSupp
- Flight Lieutenant Archibald Ives (The Mole)Angus LennieSupp
- Flight Lieutenant Dennis Cavendish (The Surveyor)Nigel StockSupp
- Kommandant von LugerRobert GrafSupp
Guest & voice
- Sergeant Stachowitz (Dog Handler)Harry RiebauerGuest
- Lieutenant R. R. T. (The Dispenser)George MikellGuest
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About this cast
The Great Escape (1963) is a classic war film based on the true story of a mass escape from a German POW camp during World War II. The ensemble cast includes Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, along with Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Donald Pleasence, and many other notable actors in supporting and guest roles.
FAQs
Who plays Captain Virgil Hilts in The Great Escape?
Steve McQueen plays Captain Virgil Hilts, known as ‘The Cooler King’.
Who plays Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett?
Richard Attenborough plays Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett, the mastermind behind the escape plan.
Is The Great Escape based on a true story?
Yes, the film is based on the real-life mass escape from Stalag Luft III in 1944, as documented in Paul Brickhill’s book of the same name.
What role does James Garner play in the film?
James Garner plays Flight Lieutenant Bob Hendley, ‘The Scrounger’, who is responsible for obtaining supplies and materials for the escape.
Did Steve McQueen perform his own motorcycle stunts in The Great Escape?
Yes, Steve McQueen performed the majority of his own motorcycle riding and stunts, including the famous fence jump, although the actual jump over the barbed wire was performed by a stuntman.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026