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William Holden leads an ensemble cast in Billy Wilder’s adaptation of Stalag 17. The film takes place entirely in a German prisoner-of-war barrack, where the captured Americans are beginning to suspect that Holden’s pessimistic black marketeer character may be informing on them to the Germans. But Holden knows better — that there’s a German spy planted in their midst, secretly thwarting all their chances of escape. The mystery absolutely works in this movie. I was hooked just knowing that one of the characters was a spy, and I was never really sure which one it was. You get to know all the characters and invest in their hopes — whether its catching a glimpse across the camp at the Russian female prisoners bathing, or returning to the work force back home.

Something else that works about this movie — it’s a comedy! It may take place during a dark time in human history, but it was apparently Billy Wilder’s mission to make light of this darkness by including characters with senses of humor. Robert Strauss is responsible for much of the comedy, playing ‘Animal,’ a drunk with a Betty Grable obsession. Sig Ruman is charismatic as the German sergeant who watches over the barracks and trades with Holden, while director Otto Preminger makes a relatively frightening appearance as the camp’s stern commander. I also enjoyed William Pierson as the droll but witty news delivery character. The cast also includes Peter Graves, Neville Brand, and Don Taylor. Cinematography by Ernest Laszlo and music by Franz Waxman help bring the play to cinematic life.

Academy Award: Best Actor (William Holden)

Oscar Nominations: Best Director, Supporting Act0r (Robert Strauss)