Stalag 17

Starring:William Holden, Don Taylor, Otto Preminger, Robert Strauss, Harvey Lembeck, Richard Erdman, Peter Graves, Neville Brand, Sig Ruman, Michael Moore (III), Peter Baldwin, Robinson Stone, Robert Shawley, William Pierson, Gil Stratton, Jay Lawrence, Erwin Kalser, Edmund Trzcinski, Bob Templeton, Herbert Street
Director: Billy Wilder
Studio: Paramount Home Video
Product Type: DVD

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Black comedy and suspenseful action inside a German POW camp during World War II--a setting that was later borrowed for the TV sitcom Hogan's Heroes. The great director Billy Wilder adapted the hit stage play, applying his own wicked sense of humor to the apparently bleak subject matter. William Holden plays an antisocial grouse amid a gang of wisecracking though indomitable American prisoners. Because of his bitter cynicism, Holden is suspected by the others of being an informer to the Germans, an accusation he must deal with in his own crafty way. Holden, who had delivered a brilliant performance for Wilder in Sunset Boulevard, won the 1953 Best Actor Oscar for Stalag 17. Very much his equal, however, is Otto Preminger, an accomplished director himself, who plays the strict, sneering camp commandant. --Robert Horton

Product Description

Two worthy Academy Award® nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard - actor William Holden and director Billy Wilder - reteamed three years later for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar® for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant; actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Here's Wilder's powerful, acclaimed film classic -- now packed with never-before-seen special features, including audio commentary and "behind-the-scenes" featurettes.

Customer Reviews:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie.......2007-07-02

I saw the original big-screen version in 1953 when I was steady-dating the girl I would later marry. We would usually take in a movie on Friday night and pick the one we wanted to see from the newspaper listing. At that time theaters showed double features and many movies were still in black and white, with the most scenic and the epic movies in the new Technicolor process. On this particular Friday night there were no outstanding movies being shown (at least none with great reputations), so we picked the double feature with a Technicolor movie and another in black and white, and our main interest was in the Technicolor movie. The black and white feature was Stalag 17, which I have never forgotten even in many of the details, but to this day I cannot remember what the Technicolor movie was (the one that we really went to see). It was, and is, one of the great movies of all time. The DVD version was given to me a year or two ago, and I have enjoyed it all over again.

Whereas Hogan's Heroes (spawned by Stalag 17) was a spoof, and a very good one at that, Stalag 17 was a serious drama, notwithstanding its lighthearted comedy scenes with "Animal" and "Harry", and even "Sgt. Schultz", which provided comic relief. Sgt. Sefton (William Holden) is the wheeler-dealer in the baracks who has not endeared himself to his fellow POWs, and in fact, has alienated himself from them by taking advantage of them in betting and trading schemes. He's an entrepreneur. As a result, when planned escapes result in disaster because the Germans were tipped off, cynical Sefton is the main suspect in the betrayal. He so angers the other POWs by his insistance that the next escape attempt will fail, and he's willing to take bets on it, that they beat him up. In order to vindicate himself and avoid future beatings, he must find out who the traitor is and how the information is transmitted. During one of the barracks-emptying drills he lags behind and has the opportunity to observe how it is done. The scene where he exposes the modus operandi and the traitor is filled with tension and suspense, because at this point, none of the men trust him, and we anxiously wonder how he will convince them about what he has discovered.

The story has everything; drama, suspense, anxiety and laughter. For me, it is one of the most memorable movies I have ever seen and ranks with Casablanca as an all time great.

Stalag 17.......2007-06-26

Unlike so many war films, Wilder's brilliant "Stalag" favors cynicism and satirical black humor over knee-jerk, good guy-bad guy patriotism. Coming on the heels of his success in Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard," Holden's Oscar-winning performance as a less-than-admirable army grunt helped establish the baseline for his enigmatic macho persona. And Preminger, working on the other side of the camera for once, plays sadistic Von Scherbach to sinister perfection. The barbed inspiration for "Hogan's Heroes," "Stalag 17" is the quintessential prisoner-of-war film, a seamless blending of gallows humor and gripping intrigue.

Another Great Wilder Classic.......2007-06-05

It's amazing how many great films Mr. Wilder made along his career. I'm more fond of his true comedies, sad comedies at times, romantic to the max, but his incursions into more serious themes leave also the mark of genius. From the very first scene one has pretty clear the idea that 'this one is art cinema'. His dexterity at finding the right pace and combining the subtle, but precise, ingredients to captivate his audience for 2 hours is such that very few film directors ever had. Such naturality.

He combines a dramatic setting and subject with cartoonish characters, and Hitchcockian suspense. The music is excellent, the photography is great. And this is one of his minor films. Imagine how great are his other masterpieces!

Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version.......2007-03-20

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Shipping!!!!!!!!!!!

Product as described!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Buyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stalag 17.......2007-03-20

I loved this movie. I have seen it several times. I had a vcr of it and watched it many times.

The Billy Wilder DVD Collection (Stalag 17 Special Collector's Edition / Sunset Boulevard / Sabrina 1954)

Average customer rating:

The Wild Billy Wilder

The Billy Wilder DVD Collection (Stalag 17 Special Collector's Edition / Sunset Boulevard / Sabrina 1954)
Starring: William Holden , Don Taylor , Otto Preminger , Robert Strauss , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Special Editions | Fully Loaded DVDs | Features | DVD | Video
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The Billy Wilder DVD Collection (The Apartment / Avanti! / The Fortune Cookie / Irma la Douce / Kiss Me Stupid / One Two Three / The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes / Some Like It Hot / Witness for the Prosecution)
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ASIN: B000CSUNRA
Release Date: 2006-03-21

Product Description

Sunset Boulevard

Stalag 17
Two worthy Academy Award® nominees from 1950's Sunset Boulevard - actor William Holden and director Billy Wilder - reteamed three years later for the gripping World War II drama, Stalag 17. The result was another Best Director nomination for Wilder (his fourth), and the elusive Best Actor Oscar® for Holden. Holden portrays the jaded, scheming Sergeant J.J. Sefton, a prisoner at the notorious German prison camp, who spends his days dreaming up rackets and trading with the Germans for special privileges. But when two prisoners are killed in an escape attempt, it becomes obvious that there is a spy among the prisoners. Is it Sefton? Famed producer/director Otto Preminger tackles a rare acting role as the camp's commandant; actor Robert Strauss won a Supporting Actor nomination for his role as "Animal." Here's Wilder's powerful, acclaimed film classic -- now packed with never-before-seen special features, including audio commentary and "behind-the-scenes" featurettes.

Sabrina

Customer Reviews:

The Wild Billy Wilder.......2007-05-19

The movies chosen to present this trio of Wilder films are all excellent in their own genre. Not only are Sunset Blvd., Stalag 17, and Sabrina "true classics",but the extra bonus features
take you inside the set and inside the mind of Billy Wilder. The well spoken narrative on all three films is not only intelligent but enlightening as well. You can really benefit by watching all three films "as they are", but then again
WITH the narrative because it is then that you learn how Wilder worked and got the best performances out of his splendid cast of actors. Bette Davis
once said that Billy Wilder was the ONLY director she worked with who knew what he was doing. The astonishing performance of the 50ish Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd. is truly
amazing in itself. Of the three THAT one's my personal favorite.
William Holden fans will be delighted to know that he is in all three movies!! Was there any sweeter girl than Audrey Hepburn (Sabrina)? She wins your heart as does the character in that movie played by Humphrey Bogart whose subtle turn is quite noteworthy.

Average customer rating:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie
Stalag 17
Another Great Wilder Classic
Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version
Stalag 17

Stalag 17
Starring: William Holden , Don Taylor , Otto Preminger , Robert Strauss , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

World War II | Military & War | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305678790
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie.......2007-07-02

Stalag 17.......2007-06-26

Another Great Wilder Classic.......2007-06-05

Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version.......2007-03-20

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Shipping!!!!!!!!!!!

Product as described!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Buyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stalag 17.......2007-03-20

I loved this movie. I have seen it several times. I had a vcr of it and watched it many times.

Average customer rating:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie
Stalag 17
Another Great Wilder Classic
Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version
Stalag 17

Stalag 17
Starring: William Holden , Don Taylor , Otto Preminger , Robert Strauss , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( S ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Mister Roberts
Von Ryan's Express (Special Edition)
The Great Escape
The Bridge on the River Kwai
The Dirty Dozen (Two-Disc Special Edition)

ASIN: 630567874X
Release Date: 1999-12-14

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie.......2007-07-02

Stalag 17.......2007-06-26

Another Great Wilder Classic.......2007-06-05

Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version.......2007-03-20

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Shipping!!!!!!!!!!!

Product as described!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Buyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stalag 17.......2007-03-20

I loved this movie. I have seen it several times. I had a vcr of it and watched it many times.

Billy Wilder DVD Collection (Sunset Boulevard/Stalag 17/Sabrina)

Average customer rating:

Three great films
Where's the great lost Billy Wilder classic
Sunset is a Masterpiece- But What About Double Indemnity?
Folks, hello, this is a *Paramount* collection ...
He Left Us Too Soon

Billy Wilder DVD Collection (Sunset Boulevard/Stalag 17/Sabrina)
Starring: William Holden , Don Taylor , Otto Preminger , Robert Strauss , and Harvey Lembeck
Director: Billy Wilder
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Drama | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Classics | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

( B ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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The Humphrey Bogart Collection (The Big Sleep/The Maltese Falcon/Casablanca/Key Largo)
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ASIN: B00006IUJR
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Amazon.com

This boxed set shows the many moods of director Billy Wilder, from luxurious cynicism to spiky romance. He's teamed up for all three pictures with William Holden, and the two are perfectly tuned to each other's sardonic intelligence. Actually, Holden was a last-minute replacement in Sunset Boulevard, when Montgomery Clift abruptly backed out of the project. Holden plays a hard-luck screenwriter who takes refuge in the home of a deluded silent-movie star (played by Gloria Swanson); we know this because his corpse is telling us the story. The 1950 film is one of the great decayed mansions of Hollywood cinema, a fully imagined look at the souring of the American Dream. And, of course, a poison-pen letter to the movie business--Wilder took pleasure in biting the hand that fed him.

Stalag 17 (1953) won the Best Actor Oscar® for Holden, although it's a less complex piece of work than Sunset Boulevard. It is, however, thoroughly entertaining, with a seamless blend of suspense (who in the POW camp is betraying secrets to the Germans?) and raucous comedy. Sixties-TV fans will quickly spot the similarity with the Bob Crane sitcom Hogan's Heroes. Otto Preminger, himself a director, creates a suave piece of villainy as the German camp commandant. In Sabrina (1954), Holden is a blond, fatuous younger brother to staid businessman Humphrey Bogart--but they both do supporting work to Audrey Hepburn. This is one of her great vehicles, and she inspires Wilder to show more of his romantic side. As the chauffeur's daughter who dreams of mingling with the beautiful people, Hepburn shines in the lush glow of moonlight and "Isn't it Romantic?" and the movie finds a zone of pure pleasure. --Robert Horton

Customer Reviews:

Three great films.......2006-01-13

I had the honor of listening to a talk by Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon for the a presentation of Some Like it Hot. It was a fun night. Probably the most touching part was his reflection of Monroe. He got emotional and simply said "She should be here"

After that it only increase my liking of his film work. I was happy to find this set.

Of the three I would have to say Sabrina and Stalog-17 are my favorite.

Sabrina: Is a great film with a powerful cast. One of the great beauties of the area is Audrey Hepburn and this film and Roman Holiday made her one of my favorties. She pulls off a great performance especially when working beside Humphrey Bogart and William Holden. It is a sweet story of the Cinderella like story of a young girl who is in love with the son of her fathers employer. Her charm simply carries the film.

Stalog-17: The film that served the foundation for Hogan's heros. This is a classic as William Holden plays self serving loner of a POW camp during WWII. The rest are trying to escape but every attempt is foild and people die. Somebody is betraying them. Is it Holden who never seems to go without favors or special gifts? The support cast really make the film fly. Even when it ends you still want more!

Sunset Boulevard: Is a great story that paints a bad image of Hollywood. We have Norma Desmond once queen of the cinema now forgotten by Hollywood. Holden is hired to write her a script to bring her out of "retirement" Holden thinks it's a job but it turns out to be much more. This film led to many uses of the famous line "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille" It's rather scary! Too bad many people.

A sad thing that many people don't know these films.

I will finish with giving a tribute to Mr. Wilder.

Years ago I was in a theater that shows old films. I went with my wife to watch Sabrina. Two women sat behind us and my wife heard one say:

"I saw the new movie they just did. This film is way more funny then it!"

Where's the great lost Billy Wilder classic.......2004-03-06

Every Billy Wilder film is available in some format except for
Big Carnival(AKA Ace in the Hole). This movie deserves a dvd release. It is a great indictment of mass media. It stars Kirk Douglas in one of his best performances. At the time of its release Billy Wilder didn't think it was hard hitting enough.

Sunset is a Masterpiece- But What About Double Indemnity?.......2003-07-22

This collection includes one of the greatest dark-comic noirs of all time, Sunset Boulevard. I also love the worldly, sometimes sad, sweet, funny Sabrina. Stalag 17 is also a classic, in a very different genre. But I have been puzzling for some time about my inability to find a new, in-print DVD of Double Indemnity, the noir classic of 1943. In my opinion, Double Indemnity tops even Sunset Boulevard -- a close second -- for pure genius film-making. Whom can we pester about releasing a digitally-remastered Double Indemnity??

Folks, hello, this is a *Paramount* collection ..........2002-12-28

No need to say these are all fine, classic movies,but in response to those who wonder why it doesn't include SOME LIKE IT HOT or THE APARTMENT ... this boxed set is issued by Paramount Pictures. Paramount can't release films made by other studios, so please stop complaining. :-)

I think it's great to have these three films boxed, especially the little-seen STALAG 17.

SOME LIKE IT HOT and THE APARTMENT are available everywhere, so let's be grateful for what Paramount is giving us: the best movies Wilder made at their studio.

He Left Us Too Soon.......2002-11-27

Billy Wilder died earlier this year at 95 years old, and it was still too soon. A shame that Hollywood left him after "Buddy Buddy," to spend the last twenty years of his life pining for a movie production that never came his way.

These three movies represent Wilder in his heydey at Paramount Pictures, and also his three best with William Holden, who was just at home playing it straight or wisecracking. Sure, I'd like to see "The Apartment," and "Some Like It Hot" on this collection, but those were released by United Artists, so those would be released by MGM, not Paramount anyhow.

These three movies really hold their own, even -- or rather, especially -- today. "Sunset Boulevard" is one of the darkest of black comedies, and a really disturbing portrait of Hollywood has-been Norma Desmond and Holden as her kept man screenwriter, who's been hired to bring her out of mothballs. Chilling last line: "I'm ready for my close-up, Mr. deMille."

"Stalag 17" is a nice mix of serious war movie interspersed with slapstick humour. Though Holden is great, his supporting cast almost steal the show, especially Sig Ruman as Sergeant Schultz, the camp guard, Otto Preminger as Commandant von Scherbach and Harvey Lembeck and Robert Strauss as the camp cutups, Harry Shapiro and "The Animal."

"Sabrina" is a beautiful portrait of a young Audrey Hepburn, so vivacious and full of wondrous energy. Though she's a bit self-aware in her role, her charm still just carries you away. Holden is in a supporting role here, but Humphrey Bogart comes off as a bit stiff. Really, though, it's Audrey's movie from beginning to end, and the romantic-comedy script by Ernest Lehman and Samuel Taylor has wit and panache.

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Customer Reviews:

A Top Ten All-Time Movie.......2007-07-02

Stalag 17.......2007-06-26

Another Great Wilder Classic.......2007-06-05

Stalag 17 Directors Cut Version.......2007-03-20

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Shipping!!!!!!!!!!!

Product as described!!!!!!!!!!!!

Outstanding Buyer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stalag 17.......2007-03-20

I loved this movie. I have seen it several times. I had a vcr of it and watched it many times.

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