Review: The One That Got Away

Hardy Kruger plays real-life hot-shot German pilot Franz von Werra, who does his absolute best to escape from British imprisonment and get back to the Fatherland. Bungling/negligent British captors don’t seem to make his efforts especially difficult. I mean, these guys are pilot to a mind-blowing fault.

 

The eclectic Roy Ward Baker (“A Night to Remember”, “The Anniversary”, “The Vampire Lovers”, “Legend of the 7 Golden Vampires”) directs this mini-“Great Escape” from 1957, and although it’s got nothing on that all-time classic from 1963, it does have merit. It gives handsome young German star Hardy Kruger (a real-life WWII POW who made three escape attempts, the third successful) a terrific showcase for his underrated talents. His character isn’t a die-hard follower of Nazism, merely a glory-seeking flyboy, full of (over) confidence. Remarkable as it may seem for a British film about WWII, Kruger’s Lt. von Werra, although arrogant and stubborn, isn’t demonised. I was honestly shocked, and it helps make the film stand out from the pack. It ain’t “The Great Escape” but it’s a fascinating and unusual take on the POW escape story.

 

Sure, it’s a helluva gamble to present us with an arrogant little German and expect us to want to see him escape, but blimey, it bloody well works. The fact that we never really see him kill anyone helps. He’s a personal glory seeker and proud German, but not a Nazi zealot nor a one-note killer). Kruger’s character is fascinating and multi-dimensional, whilst it’s the British characters who are underdeveloped and kept to the sides. In a British made film. About Nazis. Where the German fella outsmarts them at every turn. Wow.

 

I could mention that cinematographer Eric Cross (“The Little Kidnappers”, “Tiger Bay”) would’ve done better to shoot the lovely countryside in colour instead of B&W, and it’s not often I’d favour the former over the latter. But given the scenery and the fact that Kruger’s physical appearance come into play, colour would seem beneficial. However, the film is still well-shot as is, and it’s not much of an issue in the grand scheme of things.

 

If there’s anything to fault here (aside from spoiling the ending from the outset, which is unfortunate), it’s that Baker and writer Howard Clewes (“The Day They Robbed the Bank of England”, “Up From the Beach”) choose to close this true-life story at about the ¾ mark of the real von Werra’s story. Epilogue text tells us that there was much more to this man’s journey to freedom (Spoiler my arse, look at the title, dudes!) than we see enacted in the film. It’s a little deflating, suggesting the filmmakers ran out of money or something. Up until then, though, this is a pretty damn entertaining yarn, and Kruger is ideal in the lead.

 

Looking at the synopsis, you’ll be surprised at how palatable this is, and the charismatic Kruger is a large part of the reason why. Yes, he was a part of the Hitler Youth in real-life, but so was every young German at the time, just about. And what really matters is that he’s good in the role, and he is. Worth seeking out this one, I bet it was a bit controversial in its day. Similarities to “The Great Escape” are unavoidable, but this is a fine smaller-scale, B-grade alternative, even though I can understand why this one hasn’t become the beloved TV staple that the later, all-star film has become. It’s a neat little escape film, warped POV and all.

 

Rating: B-