NICE: FILM HUNTING

The One That Got  Away

Some years ago you could find old movies released from all over the world in a big shop in the City of Nice, France. Not any more. Sorry. The shop is closed. No more DVDs for sale. Anyway I do appreciate searching for old books and movies in places where you might find some books or films of interest. Last week I went to a strange shop in Nice. You could find old photos, postcards, books, papers and a lot of old items and above all: Old DVDs.

 I bought one film only: “ L’Evade du Camp 1”. The English title is: “ The One That Got Away”. The film was viewed by me at home today. The actors are all speaking French- no English. The film was released in 1957.The plot is about the story of the German pilot, Luftwaffe fighter,Oberleutnant Franz von Werra, who was shot down over Britain during the Battle of Britain in 1940. He was captured by British soldiers but he had decided to escape within six months. He was sent to a prison camp in the Furness area in Lancashire. During a walk with the other prisoners he managed to escape. An intense manhunt was organized to find him. He was recaptured. Then he was sent to a camp near Swanwick, Derbyshire. A tunnel was made. Five of the German prisoners managed to escape through a tunnel. All were captured including Franz von Werra. But he nearly made it making an attempt to steal a Hawker Hurricane. But he was caught again. He was sent to Canada. Again he managed to escape close to Smith’s Falls, Ontario. He crossed the frozen St Lawrence River in as stolen rowboat and reached Ogdensburg, New York. He crossed the border into Mexico, went to Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Spain- and reached Berlin on April 18, 1941.

The film is a dramatic story of a man who has made up his mind not to spend time in prison camps. The film is a good one and thrilling.

On October 25 1941 his plane was seen diving into the sea. He was not found.

The German actor Hardy Kruger is featuring Franz von Werra. The film was directed by Roy Ward Baker. The screenplay is based on a book written by Kendal Burt and James Leasor.