Introduction

Bernard Jordan escapes from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

Outline

The Great Escaper is an upcoming British-French feature film starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson, based on the true-life story of a British World War II veteran who ‘broke out’ of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in France, in June 2014. The film is directed by Oliver Parker, and written by William Ivory.

The story is based on that of Bernard Jordan, who was 89 years old when he made his journey to France. Another upcoming film based on Jordan’s story, The Last Rifleman starring Pierce Brosnan, is also expected to be released in 2023.

Cast

• Michael Caine as Bernard Jordan
  • Will Fletcher as young Bernard
• Glenda Jackson as Irene (Rene) Jordan, Bernard’s wife
  • Laura Marcus as young Irene (Rene)
• John Standing
• Danielle Vitalis as Adele, a care home worker
• Donald Sage Mackie as Nathan
• Kiera Bell as Young tour guide
• Ian Conningham as Lt Commander Parker
• Jack Johnson as American soldier
• Isabella Domville as Susan Everard
• Joe Bone as Tim
• Victor Oshin as Scott
• Jeanette Maskell as Ferry passenger
• Peter Theobalds as Mouthy paparazzi

Production

The film was announced in February 2021, and was scheduled to be shot in June of that year. Principal photography commenced the following year, on 8 September 2022, and director Oliver Parker noted that Glenda Jackson “shot almost all her big scenes in the first twelve days”. The French street scene was filmed in Church Street, Twickenham. In early October 2022 filming was taking place in East Sussex, at Camber Sands and Hastings.

The film was shot entirely in the UK, to minimise the travelling involved and the COVID-19 risk to the older cast. John Standing, who appears in the film, claimed it was due to Brexit restrictions, a claim denied by Pathé, one of the film’s main production companies. At the time of filming, Caine was 89 and Jackson was 86. They had last made a film together some 47 years previously: The Romantic Englishwoman (1975).

Parker screened the finished film for Caine and Jackson a few weeks before the latter’s death on 15 June 2023.

Trivia

• Based on a true story that made national news about pensioner Bernard Jordan who in 2014, absconded from his care home in Hove, Sussex UK to attend an event in France marking the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
• After the local Police were notified the care home got a call that evening to say Mr Jordan had been found safe and well in France.
• He returned a few days later having made his way to the event.

Production & Filming Details

• Director(s):
  • Oliver Parker
• Producer(s):
  • Robert Bernstein … producer
  • Rob Darnell … co-producer
  • Tim Dennison … co-producer
  • Cameron McCracken … executive producer
  • Douglas Rae … producer
  • Sean Wheelan … co-producer
  • Eva Yates … executive producer
• Writer(s):
  • William Ivory
• Music:
  • Craig Armstrong
• Cinematography:
• Editor(s):
  • Paul Tothill
• Production:
  • Ecosse Films
  • BBC Films
  • Filmgate Films
  • Ingenious
  • Pathe UK
• Distributor(s):
  • Pathé Pictures International (World-wide)(theatrical)
  • Front Row Filmed Entertainment (United Arab Emirates, 2023)(Middle East, North Africa and Iran)
• Release Date: 06 October 2023 (UK).
• Running time: minutes.
• Rating: Unknown.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

Video Link(s)