by Hal Erickson
synopsis
Breakout is the American title for the British Danger Within. As it happens, both titles are appropriate. Based on a novel by Don Chaffey, the films concerns an escape attempt from an Italian POW camp. The British officers plan the breakout during the presentation of a camp play, but their covert actions are threatened by an informant in their midst. In true Stalag 17 fashion, the POWS escape while the informer ends up the recipient of Italian bullets. Breakout differs from American war films in one important respect: the fascist Italians are treated as cruel and calculating opponents rather than comic-opera buffoons.
characteristics
- Concentration-camp
- POW-camp
- War
- Plans
- MIA (Missing In Action)
- Jeopardy
- Italy
- Jail
- Prison
- Lock-up
- Secrets
- Tension
- Treason
- Troops
- Syndicate
