The Wooden Horse is a World War II film based on a true story, starring Leo Genn, Anthony Steel and David Tomlinson. It is based on the book of the same name by Eric Williams, who also wrote the screenplay. The 'Wooden Horse' plan itself was actually conceived and entirely thought through by Williams and Michael Codner in equal measures. In Oliver Philpot's later book The Stolen Journey the author made it clear that he initially thought the plan ...
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The Wooden Horse is a World War II film based on a true story, starring Leo Genn, Anthony Steel and David Tomlinson. It is based on the book of the same name by Eric Williams, who also wrote the screenplay. The 'Wooden Horse' plan itself was actually conceived and entirely thought through by Williams and Michael Codner in equal measures. In Oliver Philpot's later book The Stolen Journey the author made it clear that he initially thought the plan was "crackers", telling its inventors "I give it a couple of days!". Nevertheless, Philpot helped with the sand dispersal, and later with the actual digging - at which point he was invited to take part in the escape.
The actor Peter Butterworth, who appeared in many of the Carry On films, was one of the vaulters in the real-life 'Wooden Horse' escape. He applied for a role in the subsequent movie but didn't get a part as he 'didn't look convincingly heroic and athletic enough'.
This true story is set in Stalag Luft III—the same POW camp where...
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