FILMS FROM THE UK, IRELAND, AUSTRALIA, INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA AND NEW ZEALAND
February 5-12, 2026
The Great Escaper
Here’s an example of the best kind of movie based on actual events. Firstly the real-life circumstances are inherently dramatic. An 89-year-old British veteran of D-Day escapes from a care facility to reunite with his fellow serviceman in Normandy for the 70th anniversary of the landings. The title slyly suggests our hero Bernard is more Steve McQueen than old codger. What makes The Great Escaper unforgettable is its portrayal of Bernard’s long-time marriage to his war-time sweetheart Irene, running parallel with his escapade. Played to heart-warming perfection by two-time Oscar winners Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson (in her final role), a poignancy and sweetness is conveyed as Irene frantically applies makeup lest Bernard see her “without my face” to her hiding his escapade from their caretakers despite being desperately worried. One scene lingers: The two watching the sunrise locked in an embrace, a ritual you sense they have long shared. UK 2024 (96 minutes)
Wednesday February 11, 2026 - 7:30 pm
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