Great Escape, The

The film opens with a convoy taking prisoners of war towards Stalag Luft III near the fictional German town of Neustadt.

The vehicles arrive at the camp where 76 men would later escape by means of a tunnel. The camp was constructed in a clearing in the Perlacher forest near to the Bavaria Film Studios. Geiselgasteig, Munich in Bavaria.

Carrying out much research, which included a post by David Bull which describes where the POW camp set was situated, Marcus Herbert concluded that a crossroads behind Bavaria Film Studios marks where the corner of the camp set was and where the main gates to the camp were located.

After the escape and now masquerading as French businessmen, Flight Lieutenant Sandy MacDonald (Gordon Jackson) and Squadron Leader Roger Bartlett (Richard Attenborough) climb the stairs onto the platform at Neustadt station. The now closed Großhesselohe Staatsbahnhof in Pullach.

Taken by Patrick Friedrich, this is looking across at the location where the island platform once stood.

Another escapee, Flight Lieutenant Dennis Cavendish (Nigel Stock), walks past MacDonald and Bartlett. Großhesselohe Staatsbahnhof on the line running between München and Holzkirchen.

A view of the former Bahnhof Großhesselohe captured by Patrick.

Flight Lieutenant Robert Hendley (James Garner) helps the almost blind Flight Lieutenant Colin Blythe (Donald Pleasence) onto the platform.

From the side of the railway, this is a shot of the site from Patrick Friedrich.

A train approaches as Haynes (Lawrence Montaigne) waits in his disguise. Großhesselohe 'State' station in the municipality of Pullach, Munich.

Patrick's view looks across an overgrown track side towards the site of the signalbox at the end of the long demolished platform.

Searching for the missing prisoners, enemy agents and police arrive at the station.

This matching comparison is provided by Patrick Friedrich.

The agents prepare to board the train before departure. Großhesselohe Staatsbahnhof which closed in 1981. Also check out www.thegreatescapelocations.com

Patrick took this from a similar position.

Flying Officer Louis Sedgwick (James Coburn) looks around for his mode of escape from Neustadt. This is Ebersberger Straße in Markt Schwaben.

Here, Patrick focuses on the building in the background of Markt Schwaben.

A home-made bolt cutter is calmly removed from an inside pocket. Ebersberger Straße confirmed by Marcus Herbert.

Marcus explains that the building prominent in the left background of the screen capture was demolished some years ago and the area around it re-profiled.

A bicycle is liberated . . . Markt Schwaben in the Bavarian district of Ebersberg with St. Margaret's church to the right.

An up to date view of the background by Patrick Friedrich.

. . . and Sedgwick rides away. Facing south on Ebersberger Straße in Markt Schwaben, Bavaria.

Patrick's shot shows how Markt Schwaben looks now.

Captain Virgil Hilts (Steve McQueen) sets a trap for an enemy motorcyclist. The road between Füssen and Hopfen am See at Drahtszene Hopfen identified by Patrick . . . .

. . . who visited the same location.

Flight Lieutenant William Dickes (John Leyton) and Flight Lieutenant Danny Velinski (Charles Bronson) make it to the banks of the Rhine. The banks of the River Lech to the east of Füssen with the bridge carrying Sebastianstraße in the background.

Patrick Friedrich provides this view of Bootsklau Lechbruecke as it appears now.

A rowing boat is taken. Füssen stands on the far bank of the River Lech.

The same location, Bootsklau Lechbruecke, taken by Patrick.

Following a successful ambush, Hilts reappears complete with uniform and motorcycle. To the south of Hopfen am See with the parish church of St. Peter & St. Paul in the left distance.

Drahtszene Hopfen once more, courtesy of Patrick.

Meanwhile, Flight Lieutenant Hendley and Flight Lieutenant Blythe continue their escape by train. Manuel Gurtner provides this and the following three captures, identifying this as the single track stretch of the Munich to Mühldorf main line between Markt Schwaben and Hörlkofen. Hauled by the 4-6-4 tank locomotive 78 185, built in 1920 by Vulkan for the then new Deutsche Reichsbahn, the train approaches the level crossing of the lane to the now Dürnberg Inn north of Unterschwillach after passing the bridge across the Schwillach Creek.

Marcus Herbert returned to Durnberg Level crossing where the farm track in the foreground has been eroded by ongoing excavation work and the embankment has been obscured by bushes and trees.

Hendley decides to jump from the train with Blythe as Gestapo Officers walk through their carriage checking passengers' documents. Also filmed on the main line between Munich and Mühldorf the two stuntmen oriented themselves by the milestone, exactly two kilometers from Markt Schwaben station.

Fighting against a setting sun, Marcus Herbert took this view at the 2km point.

Immediately hiding behind a hay bale, the two fugitives watch the train to see if anyone has noticed anything. Obviously, these bales are not next to the railway line as seen in the next capture because in the right distance the clock tower of the parish church St. Margaret in Markt Schwaben can be seen.

In the distance of Marcus Herbert's comparison stands the church of St. Margaret.

The train continues to steam towards Erzingen on the Swiss border. In fact, we see still the main line from München to Mühldorf, where the train is heading towards Hörlkofen, just has passing over the bridge across the creek called Anzinger Sempt.

Trees and vegetation obscure most of the Azinger Sempt Bridge in this shot from Marcus Herbert.

Sedgwick continues his leisurely ride. Prominent is St. Mary's church in Speiden, Bavaria.

The church doesn't look so isolated in Patrick's view.

The Flying Officer makes his way into the countryside. Outside Speiden in Bavaria.

More greenery on the road at Speiden Fahrrad in Patrick's comparison.

William and Danny head down river to the coast. The River Lech as it flows through Füssen with Lechhalde bridge to the left of centre.

Bootsfahrt by Patrick.

Sedgwick approaches a level crossing at a station. Pfronten-Ried.

Pfronten Weissbach Bahnuebergang captured by Patrick Friedrich.

In the station sidings, Sedgwick climbs aboard a waiting freight train. Pfronten Weissbach Bahnuebergang located by Patrick Friedrich.

No steam locomotive in Patrick's view.

The 'Cooler King' rides into a town full of enemy troops. Füssener Straße, Weißbach.

The buildings on Kreuzung at Pfronten-Weissbach survive to allow this image from Patrick who returned to replace an earlier 'off angle' shot only to find construction work in progress.

Hilts slows before turning to make his getaway. The intersection of Füssener Straße and Kemptener Strasse, Weißbach identified by Andy P on his website covering 'The Great Escape' locations.

Patrick took this view of the same intersection in Pfronten-Weissbach.

Troops attempt to stop Hilts but dive from his path as he speeds from the town. Weißbach, Pfronten in Bavaria.

More building work in progress when Patrick Friedrich arrived.

Hilts disappears along back streets before taking off across open fields. This is Malerweg, Pfronten Weissbach in the district of Ostallgäu, Bavaria identified by Patrick Friedrich.

Patrick proves the location with this shot.

Meanwhile, the freight train pulls away, carrying Sedgwick to France.

Patrick provides this shot taken from the level crossing at Pfronten Weissbach Bahnuebergang.

Hilts has another close shave with the enemy. Patrick Friedrich advises that this is this is Holzstadel along the OAL2 road between Pfronten Meilingen and the village of Zell in the district of Ostallgäu.

This is how the location appears today and, as Patrick's shot shows, the wooden barn still exists today.

Enemy officers and agents await the arrival of the train carrying several escapees. Bahnhof Füssen standing at the junction of Ruprechtstraße and Bahnhofstraße, Füssen.

Patrick found that part of the station has been claimed by development.

Gestapo Agent Kuhn (Hans Reiser) scans the passengers as they alight. The railway station at Füssen in the district of Ostallgäu, Bavaria.

Patrick's image shows the fate of BH Fuessen.

Bartlett, the mastermind behind the escape, is recognised by Herr Kuhn.

BH Fuessen from a similar perspective by Patrick Friedrich.

After killing Kuhn to save Bartlett, Lieutenant Commander Eric Ashley-Pitt (David McCallum) runs along the platform before being shot. Looking towards the east at Füssen station, terminus of the König Ludwig railway.

Patrick turned his camera for this view.

Flight Lieutenant Cavendish hitches a lift. Mariahilferstrasse 22 in Speiden, Eisenberg identified by Patrick Friedrich.

The property has been kept in good order as can be seen in Patrick's shot.

The truck takes the escape team's 'Surveyor' through a small town.

Speiden LKW now from Patrick, who avoided a tree for this view.

Turning a corner, an enemy checkpoint is encountered. Mariahilfer Straße 18 in Speiden found by Patrick Friedrich.

The same corner taken by Patrick.

The truck driver shrugs to Cavendish as he is captured and taken to Gestapo officer Preissen. This is Mariahilfer Straße in Speiden, next to village of Eisenberg identified by Patrick Friedrich.

Patrick Friedrich proves the location without the Army in place.

Hendley and Blythe make their way to an enemy airfield after jumping from the train to avoid capture. Marcus Herbert found the former Landsberg-Lech Air Base at Penzing near Landsberg am Lech in Bavaria, a former military facility that is now a film studio.

Attempts by Marcus to be granted access were not successful hence this comparison taken from outside the perimeter in which the distinctive grass camouflaged concrete hangers can clearly be seen.

Having removed the enemy uniform, Hilts approaches the Swiss border. Schießstandweg Schweizer Grenze identified by Patrick Friedrich.

And this is Patrick's view of the location now.

The American stops before turning when he sees the guards at the crossing. Schießstandweg Schweizer Grenze located by Patrick Friedrich.

Patrick arrived at the same junction to take this shot.

Hilts prepares to jump the barbed wire border to freedom, but is captured and returned to the cooler. Einfahrt Schloßangeralp in Allgäu, Bavaria located by Patrick Friedrich.

Patrick tells us that he "met the farmer in whose meadow the famous jump was made and talked to him for a long time. A very nice guy. I was even allowed to sit in the same chair in which Steve McQueen was always sitting and rolling his cigarettes."

Hendley and Blythe fly though mountains after taking a plane from the airfield. Neuschwanstein Castle above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen.

When the engine fails, Flight Lieutenant Hendley crash-lands the plane. Frauenried near Miesbach with Mariä Geburt Church in the centre left background.

Marcus Herbert found that there are considerably more trees at the location than 60 years ago with the church no longer visible from this angle.

Troops arrive at the crash site and Blythe is shot dead before Hendley is recaptured. Frauenried in Bavaria.

Frauenried revisited by Patrick.

In a French town at the roadside Café Suzette, Sedgwick reads a newspaper as the waiter crosses to a group of German officers. In the background stands St. Mang Abbey in Füssen, Bavaria.

Patrick found that there's no drinks to be had at Französisches Kaffee now.

Sedgwick lowers his newspaper as the officers' order is taken. Looking north over the River Lech. A great amount of further information can be found on Rob Davis' The Great Escape site at http://www.elsham.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/gt_esc/

Railings replace the wall in Patrick's view of this Fuessen location.

The waiter calls Sedgwick to the telephone just before a car approaches the cafe. The bridge carries Lechhalde over the River Lech in Füssen.

The site of Französisches Kaffee in Fuessen captured by Patrick Friedrich.

Shots are fired from the car, killing the officers. Facing the junction of Lechhalde and Schwangauer Straße from Tiroler Straße in Füssen, near the Austrian border.

The same corner through Patrick's lens.

Having made their way from the station, MacDonald and Bartlett cross the town square to board a bus. Brotmarkt, Füssen.

Patrick provides this view of Brotmarkt.

Gestapo agents check passengers boarding the bus. Brotmarkt in Füssen.

The location now by Patrick Friedrich.

After MacDonald replies in English when the suspicious Gestapo agent wishes them "Good luck", the two escaping prisoners run from the square. Jesuitergasse identified by Patrick Friedrich.

The same location from Patrick.

MacDonald and Bartlett flee through the streets. Patrick Friedrich advises that this as Hintere Gasse.

And here's Patrick's eveidence.

Bartlett tries locked gates.

No gates in Patrick's view.

Sandy MacDonald urges his comrade on. The chase scenes were shot in the town of Füssen . . .

. . . where Patrick found alterations on Hintere Gasse.

As the enemy close in, the two enter another street. Drehergasse Kappenzipfel found by Patrick.

Patrick faced the same way.

Bartlett turns as MacDonald collides with a cyclist. Patrick Friedrich locates this as Franziskanergasse 1-3 in Füssen . . .

. . . and took this shot of the same spot.

MacDonald picks himself up and makes a run for it. Drehergasse Kappenzipfel in Füssen located by Patrick Friedrich.

Patrick also provides the proof.

Soldiers arrive on the scene and corner MacDonald leaving Bartlett to escape. Drehergasse Kappenzipfel identified by Patrick Friedrich . . . . .

. . . who also provides more evidence.

After running across rooftops, 'Big X' climbs a wall and regains the towns streets. An der Stadmauer in Füssen identified by Andy P.

Patrick's picture of Stadtmauer shows that it would be harder to climb the wall now.

When a patrol catches up, Bartlett succeeds in making them believe that he is a French businessman. Drehergasse located by Patrick Friedrich.

Continuing his visit to Füssen, Patrick walked along the same street.

Roger Bartlett begins to relax after seemingly having shaken off his pursuers. Looking along Brunnengasse, Füssen in Bavaria.

Patrick found the same corner on Brunnengasse.

Untersturmführer Steinach (Karl Otto Alberty) greets "Herr Bartlett". The corner of Hutergasse and Brunnengasse in Füssen located by Andy P.

Brunnengasse taken by Patrick Friedrich.

At Stalag Luft III, Group Captain Ramsey (James Donald) reads the names of the escapees that were shot by the enemy. Perlacher forest near Munich in Bavaria, Germany.

Dickes and Velinski make it to a Baltic port where they climb aboard a Swedish merchant ship. Pam Small tells us "John Leyton told me that this scene was shot in Emden, Lower Saxony. Which makes sense as it is big port where ship building takes place."

Sedgwick is escorted into Spain after being taken to the Spanish border by members of the French resistance. Marcus Herbert explains that this scene was shot in Schwansee Park to the southeast of Füssen. Interestingly, the reason this shot was filmed at such a low angle is that Neuschwanstein Castle, seen earlier in capture 44 as well as featuring in 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang', is directly behind the trees.

Marcus provides this comparison in which Neuschwanstein Castle can just be made out.