The Wooden Horse [1950]

Yes this film is dated, and yes it is in black and white, but it graphically shows the determination of our fighting men under adversity - in this case, possibly it was that wrinkly in the corner of your pub nursing a pint!

Someone one said that "Truth is stranger that fiction"; it is, and without the assistance of Hollywood!


The Wooden Horse   March 7, 2004
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

A fascinating story of the ingenuity of British POW's and their escape from the escape proof Stalag Luft 3. The Great Escape also took place here but in a different compound. There were no Americans involved in this true escape story and being a British film you don't have to sit through some of the scenes such as motorbike stunts included for American audiences.The film is based on the account by Eric Williams in his book The Wooden Horse but the book Stolen Journey by the third escaper Oliver Philpot is a better version in my opinion but in any case the film sticks to the book quite closely.


5 stars because it is unique and true   January 18, 2005
M. M. Morrow (los angeles, ca United States)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Extraordinary story as to how Eric Williams, Oliver Philpott and partner escaped from Stalag Luft 3.
Very ingenious, much more so than The Great Escape and without the histrionics, the film is a straight forward retelling of the story of the Escape done in a very British, underplayed style.
It is not in colour and not a charismatic as The great Escape but it is completely true and quite staggering in it's bravado.
A best selling book in the U.K. eric williams went on to write others, specifically of canal cruising in the Europe of the fifties.