“Colonel Von Luger, it is the sworn duty of all officers to try to escape. If they cannot escape, then it is their sworn duty to cause the enemy to use an inordinate number of troops to guard them, and their sworn duty to harass the enemy to the best of their ability.”

The Bosque Film Society cordially invites all members to attend its monthly members-only FILM APPRECIATION NIGHT AT THE MOVIES featuring the 1963 American epic war suspense adventure film “THE GREAT ESCAPE” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 at The Cliftex Theatre in Clifton with an introductory presentation by Bosque Film Society founding board secretary Nathan Diebenow.

Based on Paul Brickhill’s 1950 non-fiction book of the same name, The Great Escape depicts a heavily fictionalized version of the mass escape by British Commonwealth prisoners of war from German POW camp Stalag Luft III during the Second World War.

Produced and directed by John Sturges, The Great Escape stars Steve McQueen, James Garner and Richard Attenborough and featuring James Donald, Charles Bronson, Donald Pleasence, James Coburn, Hannes Messemer, David McCallum, Gordon Jackson, John Leyton and Angus Lennie with a memorable musical score composed by Elmer Bernstein.

Allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II. Based on a true story, a group of allied escape artist-type prisoners-of-war are all put in an “escape proof” camp. Their leader decides to try to take out several hundred all at once. The first half of the movie is played for comedy, as the prisoners mostly outwit their jailers to dig the escape tunnel. The second half is high adventure as they use planes, trains, and boats to get out of occupied Europe.

The Great Escape received critical acclaim and emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of the year. Now considered a classic, the film remains noted for its motorcycle chase and jump scene, considered one of the best stunts ever performed.

Specifically serving its membership, the 2024 Film Appreciation Night At The Movies Series will include The Thin Man (1934) Jan. 23 introduced by Angela Smith, Moulin Rouge (2001) Feb. 27 introduced by Simone Voss, The General (1926) March 26 introduced by E. Brett Voss, The Great Escape (1963) April 23 introduced by Nathan Diebenow, Double Indemnity (1944) May 28 introduced Bryan Davis, The Sting (1973) June 25 introduced by Angela Smith, The African Queen (1951) July 16 introduced by Kaye Callaway, Driving Miss Daisy (1989) Aug. 27 introduced by Bryan Davis, Seven Samurai (1954) Sept. 24 introduced by E. Brett Voss, 2nd Annual Halloween Party featuring Young Frankenstein (1974) Oct. 29 introduced by Miriam Wallace, Legends of the Fall (1994) Nov. 26 introduced by William Godby, and the 5th Annual Christmas Party featuring Die Hard (1994) Dec. 17 introduced by J Matt Wallace.

Since this will be a private showing, BYOB will be allowed, and the theatre concession stand will be open for purchases. Although the event will be closed to the public, those wishing to become Bosque Film Society members Tuesday night will be admitted.

For those wanting to become members in 2024, annual fees are $30 per individual, $50 per couple and $70 per family. For more information about joining the Bosque Film Society’s non-profit efforts to support The Cliftex Theatre, visit our website at: https://bosquefilm.com/membership/.