As I wrote I saw it as a boy on its first TV showing (maybe Saturday Night at the Movies?)and that was the ending I expected from this heroic war film. After all it is called The GREAT Escape. I was so disappointed and saddened. That was not the way it was supposed to end. I was crushed.
I see Sandpiper Pictures has just released the exact same Twilight Time Hawaii just without the extras. Not only was this movie in 1966 released roadshow in Panavision it seems to have been exhibited in mono as well. That's pretty strange for an epic of this size starring the biggest star...
I got the Japanese Blu-ray of Magnificent Men because the Twilight time was sold out and going for outrageous prices. The Japanese was recommended as being equally good and I've just sampled it but it does look excellent. I assume the negative of Hawaii is in terrible shape and would need a...
I have the original MGM DVD special edition release avoiding the Criterion alone for its ridiculous hide and seek cover.
So this 4k with the original artwork seems the one.
Though having first seen it as a tyke with a title like the Great Escape I still haven't gotten over the crushing ending.