The feature film tells the true story of an elderly man who runs away from the nursing home where he lives for a celebration of World War II soldiers
The film The Great Escapein theaters from this Thursday 27, seems like a small preview, destined to go unnoticed by many. But the feature film contains something truly important: it is the last film of the protagonist couple, Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson. She died last year after completing filming. He, who is now 91 years old, has decided to close his career once and for all. He is happy to finally be able to retire.
“It was the opportunity of a lifetime,” said the director State.
He was the director Oliver ParkerIn The Picture of Dorian Gray, who had the privilege of directing the two actors on stage. The film’s story is simple: Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) rose to fame in 2014, at the age of 89, when he escaped from his nursing home to meet other World War II veterans in Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of D-day. Irene (Glenda Jackson), was worried waiting for her husband to return. Meanwhile, involuntarily, the former soldier became world famous. He has appeared on newspaper covers and has been the talk of TV. Everyone wanted to understand why the ninety-year-old had undertaken such a journey.
“I remember the actual event from a few years ago and it always seemed like something curious and unusual. But when the script was being written, I was worried that it might be a little too obvious, a little too sentimental,” Parker says.
A little of each
The solution was to add a dose of drama to the recipe. William Ivory (Revolution in Dagenham) took the script, including its history: Ivory’s father was a pilot in the British Air Force and, unfortunately, suffered from very severe post-traumatic stress disorder. What he did here, then, was to imagine situations that were the reverse of those of his father, such as a scene in which Bernard talks to Germans in a bar, while Ivory’s father argues.
Parker himself has tried to share some of his own experience. “My father was a soldier and he lost both his brothers in the war. They were pilots and they died. He never talked about it; I could never get him to talk about it,” Oliver says. “I was interested in exploring this energy and looking at the idea of a man at the end of his life searching for the truth, dealing with his own demons, and of course having a relationship with this amazing woman. Love is the answer for everyone, redemption is an option, and he saw survivor’s guilt as something he shouldn’t have to go through.”
In this mix of memories and stories – from Ivory, Parker and, of course, Bernard’s true story – emerges The great escape. A film that, in the end, goes beyond the war.
Parker believes it’s the perfect time for a film like this to premiere. “As we know, there are a lot of wars going on right now, and they seem terribly regressive. It almost feels like an extension of World War II. It’s amazing how we don’t seem to remember what happened. So this is a film about memory,” says the director. “It’s the story of a man burdened by fragmented memories that haunt him.”
Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson
Memory also runs through the cast of The great escapeThe film features two older actors in their respective roles: Michael Caine was 90 years old at the time of filming, while Glenda Jackson was 87 years old – she died shortly after filming.
“It was hard work, obviously. It’s not a big production with fancy trailers [para os atores descansarem]. It was a 30-day shoot, very fast, without any luxury,” says the director. “They came to do the job and they were really dedicated. They are both like soldiers. They came, they did their job, no fuss.”
When the film was made, Caine had not yet announced his retirement. Now, at 91, he says he has done all he can do: now he only plays characters who are 85 or 90 years old, greatly limiting the imaginative possibilities of an actor who was once Alfred de The dark Knight; Fred do Brilliant Youthof Sorrentino, and also the good-natured and very important character of Children of hopegreat film by Alfonso Cuarón.
Now let’s close the curtain on Parker’s film. “I’ve worked with some amazing actors, I’ve been lucky in my career. But there was something about these two older actors meeting that’s hard to talk about. Neither of them even needed to make a film,” says Oliver Parker . . “When Glenda Jackson and Michael Caine met on the scene, it was wonderful. A kind of duel, but incredibly respectful. I’ll never forget it.”
Source: Terra
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
