The Great Escape (1963) Movie Poster Values
United Artists’ The Great Escape is one of Hollywood’s top World War II films.Directed by John Sturges and starring Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn and David McCallum, The Great Escape features McQueen and his fellow Allied POWs plotting a mass escape from a Luft Stalag deep inside Nazi Germany.Made for $4 million, The Great Escape premiered in London on June 20, 1963, mining box-office gold and earning a single Academy Award nomination for Best Film Editing.
Here are ten valuable The Great Escape movie posters, lobby card sets and other artifacts that are sure to interest movie memorabilia collectors.
The Great Escape One Sheet Movie Poster
A one sheet poster (27×41-inches) in very fine+ condition sold at auction for $448.13.The Great Escape was filmed on location in Germany.
The Great Escape Three Sheet Movie Poster
A three sheet movie poster (41×81-inches) in flat folded very fine+ condition brought $597.50 at auction.The movie is based on the book by Paul Brickhill, a British Spitfire pilot who spent time at Luft Stalag III during World War II.
The Great Escape Lobby Card Set
A complete set of eight lobby cards (11×14-inches) in very fine condition fetched a top bid of $286.80 at auction.Moviegoers in 1963 may have spied these cards on display in theater lobbies.
The Great Escape British Movie Stills
A collection of eight 8×10-inch black-and-white British movie stills in very fine condition brought $143.40 at auction.
The Great Escape Window Card
A window card (14×22-inches) in fine- condition sold at auction for $118.31.
The Great Escape Movie Stills
A collection of nine original 8×10-inch black-and-white movie stills in very fine- condition brought $107.55 at auction.The motorcycle scenes in The Great Escape were specially written for bike lover Steve McQueen.It was Bud Ekins who performed the breathtaking motorcycle jump over the border fence.
The Great Escape Insert Movie Poster
An insert movie poster (14×36-inches) in fine/very fine condition sold at auction for $388.38.During filming, Steve McQueen – known for his love of speed behind the wheel – was caught by German police in a speed trap.
The Great Escape Movie Pressbook
A movie pressbook in uncut fine/very fine condition brought $42 at auction.Sample poster images are contained within this interesting item.
The Great Escape Polish Movie Poster
A Polish movie poster (33×22-inches) in very fine+ condition sold at auction for $1,075.50.Polish posters are renowned for their offbeat graphics.
The Great Escape Italian Photobusta Movie Poster
An Italian photobusta movie poster (18×26-inches) in fine- condition brought $40 at auction.This particular example features Steve McQueen making his escape.The Great Escape came to Italy – a member of the Axis Powers during World War II – on October 10, 1963.
The Great Escape Movie Memorabilia Credits
- All auction results courtesy Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas
Copyright © 2012 William J.Felchner