14th June 2024
The Great Escaper
June 6, 2024 will mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings along the Normandy coast during World War II. In honour of this anniversary, our film for June is The Great Escaper (12, 2023), the superb true story of Bernard Jordan. The spell-binding drama is set in June 2014, when Bernard, an 89-year-old Royal Navy veteran was living in a care home in Hove, Sussex with his wife Irene. Having missed the official organised trip to Normandy to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Bernard decides to make his own way there. In this he has the whole-hearted support of his wife who delays his absence being noticed long enough for Bernard to board the ferry. Once in France, he revisits old haunts – together with his memories of World War II. Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson give wonderful performances as Bernard and his wife Irene in this fabulous drama, which also marked the last screen appearances for the two marvellous icons of British film. This is definitely not a film to miss.
Director: Oliver Parker, running time 1 hr 36 mins.
Lenham Film Club 