‘The Great Escape’ At 36,000 Feet.

It was the strangest scenario relaxing at 36,000 feet on a German airline, heading to Frankfurt in Germany, watching the all-time classic movie – The Great Escape.

The 1963 all-star cast movie remains one of my all-time favourites so much so the screen page of my laptop feature a photo of the late Steve McQueen astride his 1962 Triumph Thunderbird motor-cycle.

(Note – The motor cycle was modified to look WW 2 however there was no hiding the ‘chunky’ tyres that did not come into production to the 1960s.)

McQueen actually rode the motorcycle in the movie and, thanks to some clever editing, was also on the the German Army dressed chasers.  However the actual 60-foot jump over the row of barbed wire fencing was undertaken by McQueen’s close friend – Bud Atkins.

Another two movies I can recommend for anyone flying long distance is The Jersey Boys and the Immigrant.

The 1963 smash hit movie - 'The Great Escape' - now showing at 36,000 feet.

The 1963 smash hit movie – ‘The Great Escape’ – now showing at 36,000 feet.

Steve McQueen comes out of the tunnel some 20 feet short of the trees.

Steve McQueen comes out of the tunnel some 20 feet short of the trees.

Surprise as Steve McQueen realises the tunnel is 20-feet short.

Surprise as Steve McQueen realises the tunnel is 20-feet short.

Steve McQueen astride a 1962 Triumph Thunderbird motor bike.

Steve McQueen astride a 1962 Triumph Thunderbird motor bike.

Donald Pleasance, who was actually a Spitfire pilot in WW2 and became a POW, as 'The Forger' and James Garner, who was a POW in the Korean War where he 'obtained' items acted as the 'Scrounger'.  Seen here escaping to Switzerland.

Donald Pleasance, who was actually a Spitfire pilot in WW2 and became a POW, as ‘The Forger’ and James Garner, who was a POW in the Korean War where he ‘obtained’ items acted as the ‘Scrounger’. Seen here escaping to Switzerland.

Arrival in Frankfurt - 8.30am Sunday - My Lufthansa Airbus 380 aircraft with a Boeing 747 in the background.

Arrival in Frankfurt – 8.30am Sunday – My Lufthansa Airbus 380 aircraft with a Boeing 747 in the background.



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