“The Great Escaper” review — Michael Caine heads to France in touching true story drama

★★★★☆ Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson stir emotions in terrific late-career effort.

As the sun slowly rises above the glistening waters of the beautiful East Suffolk coast, Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) sneaks out of his residential care home. His remarkable odyssey has just begun.

Having missed out on an organised trip to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings, the 89-year-old Jordan, encouraged by his loving wife Irene (Glenda Jackson), Bernard sets out to France alone, armed with little more than a steely determination to complete one last mission.

Based on the true story of Jordan’s unlikely trip, The Great Escaper is a heartwarming and emotionally stirring story of love, duty and honour. The film also provides veteran screen gems Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson and John Standing ample opportunity to demonstrate that while growing old is ultimately assured, age is merely a number.

Now in his eighth decade as an on-screen presence, Caine hasn’t lost any of his dramatic versatility, balancing his usual cockney charms with a more sober, melancholic performance befitting a man taking in the scene of an endless field of graves. “What a waste” Caine’s Bernard bitterly exclaims as a drone shot dutifully reminds us of the shocking loss of life, a sad sentiment we all must surely share.

Despite being left at home, his wife’s story is just as important. Jackson’s Irene is the heart of the movie, bringing warmth and humanity, a dedicated life partner whose sage wisdom positively guides the actions of her husband. Jackson, who sadly passed away earlier this year, also gets the lion’s share of the wittiest lines. “Rene” might be old, but she’s still as sharp as a nail. You love to see it.

The Great Escaper hits you in all the places you’d expect. Growing old sucks, but growing old in love looks absolutely wonderful. Caine and Jackson are a real joy to watch together, their believable love across time brings a warmth you wish you could immerse yourself in forever. But time and the fragility of life also add a quiet creeping dread; the palpable tension that Irene might not make it to see her husband return is effectively dramatic.

Across the channel, the film elicits a different kind of emotion. Eyes unexpectedly water when Standing’s friendly stranger offers Caine a place to stay; when Bernard offers blunt but much-needed advice to a young veteran struggling to process his unresolved trauma; when Bernard sits in quiet reconciliation with a group of Germans.

Just a couple of the small but powerful moments of brothers in arms coming together to support each other.

On a technical level, the film is nowhere near as impressive. Oliver Parker’s (Dad’s Army, Johnny English Reborn) direction is serviceable. Competent but completely unremarkable filmmaking. Through close-ups and shots with an extreme depth of field, Christopher Ross’ cinematography shows the ravages of time and the invisible scars of war, but for the most part, avoids doing anything too flashy. It’s the kind of quality that evokes a BBC television drama more than a movie.

A sure-fire hit with older audiences and military personnel, The Great Escaper is well worth checking out for its remarkable true story, as well as its strong central performances. It’s a sweet, feel-good story that packs a good message. The likes of Bernard and Rene, Michael and Glenda are the last of their time. We should remember them.