The Great Escape is a 1963 English-language Adventure Drama film directed by John Sturges and produced by John Sturges under the banner of The Mirisch Company. The great escape features Steve Mcqueen in the lead role along with an ensemble cast including James Garner, Richard Attenborough, James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence and James Coburn. The screenplay is written by James Clavell and W. R. Burnett which is inspired from The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill. The music was composed by Elmer Bernstein. Cinematography was done by Daniel L. Fapp and editing by Ferris Webster. The film has a running time of 172 minutes. It was released on 4th July 1963 in English,German and French languages. and it received positive reviews from critics when it was released and became successful at box office. The Great Escape was made on a budget of $3 million and it was a super hit at box office gross of $11 million. Distribution rights for the motion picture were acquired by United Artists.