Alexa here. 50 years ago this week The Great Escape, John Sturges' rousing piece of Americana, came into theaters. With it, Steve McQueen transformed into rebel icon, a Tao of freedom for the masses (and especially overweight teachers). Just the other day I found myself whistling Elmer Bernstein's theme as I watched my newborn escape her play yard (although I almost slipped into a rendition of River Kwai whistling instead, blasphemy!). Here are a few artifacts to celebrate the film's golden anniversary.
Poster by Maxime Chillemi.
Commemorative glass in honor of the real P.O.W. camp the film is based on.
Poster by Matt Owen, available here.
A printed mashup of Warhol and McQueen (and the film's quote about 99 percent of all American officers), available here.