In it’s original broadcasts, this TV movie had ran nearly 3 hours in two parts. However, when released on VHS, the distributor cut out half of the footage. Many scenes were removed, most of which are detrimental to the plot and character development. Some characters were completely removed from the VHS. This broadcast comes from a recording from Channel 9 in Australia. The TV version’s video quality is quite low as well a low buzz can be heard.
Difference Report:
Part 1:
0:00
The network TV version contains several deleted scenes. It starts off with John escaping the Stulag Luft III at night. He begins sneaking around the forest, where he gets the attention of a soldier in a motorcycle. Making a run for it, he loses the soldier after his motorcycle crashes attempting to cross a ditch. John ends up in a train station, where he jots down the times of the train schedule. A guard notices and questions, which results in John walking away. He is able to avoid the guard and goes into the town. There, a dog approaches John and John feeds him the piece of paper with the train schedule. He walks around the town, eating an apple and observes several members of the Hitler Youth. John goes into the center of the group and admits he had escaped. The children all point guns at John. In the next scene, Mike’s plane is shot down. He deploys his parachute and lands right into a group of German soldiers. They capture him. The credits play. The next scene involves Mike getting transported by the German soldiers. He tries to strike up a conversation with a soldier. Then, a fighter jet ambushes the convoy. The German soldiers ditch the transport to take cover under the bridge. Mike is able to escape. The Germans unleash trackers dog to capture Mike. Mike climbs up a tree, but is surrounded by the soldiers and is forced to surrender. Mike is then transported to the camp and placed in a cell. He looks out of his cell and sees John. The two talk about how they got into the camp. John is then escorted out of his cell and is placed in the Colonel von Lindeiner’s office. The Colonel scolds John for escaping, and talks the Luftwaffe handing over escaped prisoners to the Gestapo. John then leaves the Colonel’s office, but not before the Colonel notes that he was caught by the Hitler Youth. John meets up with Roger outside at the camp, where they walk to their barracks. He then tells the train times to another prisoner off the top of his head. The prisoner jots them down on a piece of paper while another prisoner warns them of a guard approaching. The guard enters the room and informs John that the Colonel wants the clothes he is wearing. The next scene involves two prisoners, MacKenzie and Tom, digging their tunnel. In the yard, John and the prisoners talk about their suspicions with a guard. Then, roll call begins, which causes the prisoners to scramble as they try to pull out of the two prisoners who are digging the tunnels. The prisoners make it out, cleaned and in uniform, to the relief of John and Roger. The VHS has an alternate placement of the credits, where it’s put in as the prisoners are lining up for roll call
Network TV Version:
VHS:
18:31
The network TV version contains a longer shot of John and Roger looking at Colonel von Lindeiner and several deleted scenes. The first scene begins with the German guards ransacking the barracks to find the tunnels. However the guards do no find the tunnels and end up finding a taunting note, which angers Max. At night, the group discusses about when to execute the escape. They talk to Jim about the travel documents and about spreading Europe. John brings up to what the Colonel told him while he was being scolded about the Luftwaffe handing over escaped prisoners to the Gestapo. He warns they could be shot if they are caught. A prisoner notes that it’s just a threat and they are bluffing. In the morning, Max and Mike are talking about not causing trouble the camps, as he warns they have guns. Mike then walks around and then observes as some of the prisoners are singing in a choir. He approaches John and formally introduces himself. They converse, where John reveals he’s a cousin of Winston Churchill. Mike then starts giving advice on how to escape from the camp, to which John denies. Mike states it’s possible to break out with around 10-15 people. John decides to introduce Mike to the group, where they talk about how Mike ended up in the camp. When Mike begins to talk about escaping, the group decides to show Mike their tunnel. They show them their tunnel they’ve been digging and tell him about how they’ve been digging. John explains to Mike that the prisoners digging are dumping the dirt secretly through their pants in the fields. He then explains the code word “X”, where they then watch as prisoners play ball. At night, Roger tells Mike that there is no space for him, to which Mike offers to help dig. Mike is then see digging with Mackenzie. A German guard questions Mackenzie while he is showering the next morning, asking where they are digging their new tunnels. Mackenzie jokes around, saying that they’ve digging upwards, which annoys the German guard. Jim goes to Roger about the forged documents being ready. Mike observes Hake creating compasses and is impressed by his craftsmanship. The VHS has a “PART I” added in.
Network TV Version:
VHS:
31:00
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with the group talking about of the prisoners being unable to escape as he is still stuck in the infirmary. John says he knows a suitable replacement.
Network TV Version:
35:50
The network TV version removes some footage of John pulling the prisoner before crashing into the tunnels.
VHS:
41:26
The network TV version contains a longer shot of the German soldiers rushing to the gates and a deleted scene. The deleted scene takes place in Hamburg, where Dr. Absalon enters a police station and talks to the police commander about handing over the prisoners to the Gestapo. The police commander objects, stating that he will hand them over to the German military. Dr. Absalon states that he will be running the military camps and walks out.
Network TV Version:
47:37
The network TV version contains two deleted scenes. The first scene begins with Roger, Mike and John walking across Breslau. A French worker offers them food, which at first they decline, but then accepts it. The French worker then offers them a ride on his wagon, to which they also accept. In the police station, a German police officer tells the police commander that the next message is only for him. Every other officer evacuates the room and it’s revealed that under Hitler’s orders, every captured officer must be turned over to the Gestapo.
Network TV Version:
50:42
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with a German officer giving the French worker money for ratting out Roger, Mike and John. Once the German soldiers and the prisoners leave, the French worker is chased by the French farmhands with weapon. He is then cornered by the barn and begins pleading for his life.
Network TV Version:
52:40
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Burchart in his office, reviewing the captured prisoner’s file.
Network TV version:
54:17
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Roger, Mike and John being escorted into the prison. Then plays a deleted scene with Roger, Mike and John being interrogated by a German lawyer. The German lawyer warns them that they could be treated as spies, where spies are usually executed. Then, there’s an additional shot of Roger, Mike and John being escorted to their cells.
Network TV Version:
57:47
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Captain Massey asking a prisoner to help him find out if the others had escaped, followed by a deleted scene. In this, a German officer named Franz is talking to his friend about the escapees. His friend doesn’t believe that there aren’t’ many that have been recaptured, despite what Franz says. Franz then says that many more have been recaptured, but his friend questions why they haven’t been returned to the camps yet.
Network TV Version:
1:00:13
The network TV version contains an extended scene where, under the order of Hermann Göring, the Colonel is relieved of duty from the prison. Dr. Absalon then tells him a car will be waiting for him outside.
Network TV Version:
1:02:53
The network TV version contains an extended scene with Burchart checking if all the prisoners are dead before ordering the Gestapo to take away their bodies.
Network TV Version:
1:04:18
The network TV version contains several deleted scenes. John smuggles in a newspaper into his cell from the washroom garbage, which he reads. In the night, while John and Wings are digging a tunnel to escape, John recalls them. MacKenzie helps pull them out and they all climb back up. John reveals that, according to the newspaper, 50 of the escapees had resisted arrest or had attempted to escape. He then reveals all 50 of the escapees were shot and had died. Mike reads some of the names, to which they learn that Roger was among the 50 that was killed. Mike refuses to believe the newspaper and throws the newspaper out of anger. John decides to hold a vote on whether or not they should continue digging, to which all of them decide to continue digging the tunnel and escape out rather than staying in prison. John begins to dig furiously. Meanwhile, Franz inspects a truck, which reveals to be the urns of the 50 escapees. Colonel von Lindeiner is then executed for his failure to prevent the mass escape. Finally, there’s one additional shot of Wings and Mike digging.
Network TV Version:
1:15:26
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with John arriving at the Adlon Hotel in Berlin, Germany. He enters the lobby with Dr. Thost.
Network TV Version:
1:16:19
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with John at a dinner party. Dr. Thost welcomes John to the dinner, where he mentions to not escape, as he is being released to Britain. Dr. Thost introduces John to Dr. Schmidt. There, Dr. Schmidt reveals that the Germans know that John is a relative to Winston Churchill. He then tells John to pass a message to Churchill from Hitler. He asks that Britain agree on 3 terms, at John’s dismay.
Network TV Version:
1:20:46
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with Dr. Thost being stopped at a checkpoint in Munich. A guard brings Dr. Thost into a booth, where he talks to Hitler. Dr. Thost tells John that Hitler wants him handed over to the Gestapo, as John’s friends had escaped again. John contemplates on getting out of the car, but Dr. Thost advises not to. He then reveals he believes that the war is already over for Germany. Then, there’s some additional footage of Dr. Thost looking over a town with his binoculars.
Network TV Version:
1:23:29
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Dr. Thost, telling him to ignore what Dr. Schmidt had told him.
Network TV Version:
1:24:19
The network TV version contains an additional shot of Dr. Thost asking if John could ask Churchill to deal with Germans who have no interest in continuing this war.
Network TV Version:
1:24:40
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with John and Dr. Thost shaking hands as John walks toward the German-Swiss border. Dr. Thost gets out of his car and watches.
Network TV Version:
1:26:40
The network TV version contains a deleted scene of Mike watching as MacKenzie makes his way to the train station. He trips, as his leg is wounded. He takes shelter inside a train car, where the old guard spots him getting into the train car.
Network TV Version:
Part 2:
0:00
The network TV version contains a deleted scene of Mike getting help from Swedish sailors. They enter a club, where Mike sees Marie singing. The credits play as the deleted scene plays.
Network TV Version:
2:23
The VHS has a “PART II” added in.
Network TV Version:
VHS:
3:05
The network TV version contains several deleted scenes. Mike wakes up from his bed after hearing Marie with Hans going into his room at night. Marie asks if it’s possible for Hans to forge fake papers for Mike, to which he replies that he can. Hans takes Mike’s photo for the fake papers. Marie then asks Mike to leave the room so her and Hans can make love, where he ends up sleeping on the couch. The next morning, Hans leaves the apartment. Marie notices Mike’s attitude, to which she berates him for it. Mike states he’s just jealous. Marie goes back to her room, where Mike follows. Marie says that he was not invited. Mike comments that only the enemy is invited to sleep in the room, to which she slaps him. They end up kissing and making love. At night, Hans comes back, where Mike asks for the papers. Hans states he refused to give him the papers, and throws him a wanted poster for Mike, Roger and John. Hans accuses Mike of being a spy, to which Marie objects. Hans pulls out a gun, which results in Marie pulling out a gun to defend Mike. Mike then disarms Hans and asks him for the papers. Hans gives it to him and leaves, but not before Mike gives him a stern warning if Marie ever gets hurt. Hans states that he will not give her up to the Gestapo, as he too will be shot.
Network TV Version:
10:57
The network TV version contains an extended scene with Marie giving Mike her snow globe to remember her.
Network TV Version:
11:22
The network TV version contains an additional shot of Mike walking away as Marie watches.
Network TV Version:
12:59
The network TV version shortens a shot of Marie walking away after Mike boards the ship.
VHS:
13:01
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with people celebrating the end of the war.
Network TV Version:
20:41
The network TV version contains a longer shot with John telling David that he will ask his commander to order an interrogation of Hermann Göring. Then a deleted scene plays, with David and Mike going to Vienna to headquarters to ask for orders to interrogate Hermann Göring. The commander asked their reasoning on why they want to interrogate Hermann Göring, as they are looking for the Gestapo. The commander then tells him that General McLaren gave them permission to interrogate, to which Mike questions why they needed permission. The commander then dodges the question and tells them the location of where Hermann Göring is being held. The two walk out, with Mike noting that the commander is odd.
Network TV Version:
25:02
The network TV version contains an additional shot of Hermann Göring telling John, Mike and David that they will never find the men who were in charge without his help.
Network TV Version:
27:55
The network TV version contains an additional shot of John shaking the hand of an officer who he berated earlier and apologizing. Then a deleted scene plays where John gets a call from a Czech police captain while John, Mike and David are eating. David notes that John is smart, as the Czech’s want to punish the Nazis as well. John says the Czech police captain, Captain Whitely has some intel on a Gestapo who was stationed in Czechoslovakia. He then orders to leave right now.
Network TV Version:
29:11
The network TV version contains a longer shot of John, Mike and David walking down the stairs with Captain Whitely. Then several deleted scenes play. Captain Whitely then shows the three the rooms and the contraptions the Gestapo would torture the Czech prisoners. They then begin interrogating the prisoner, Kiowski, however he refuses to give them the information. John, Mike and David walk out in frustration, to which David has another idea. They decide to place a platter of fresh food in front of Kiowski. There they offer him some of it, which he immediately accepts. They begin to interrogate him about his gas usage and discrepancies in where he traveled. John states that he was driving bodies of the escaped prisoners to a crematorium, rather than taking a 400 mile route. John is furious and says he’s lying. John pulls out a gun, to which Kiowski faints. David wakes up back up and begins to interrogate him. Kiowski then admits to driving the dead bodies to a crematorium. David then asks for the name of the person in charge, to which Kiowski refuses to give up. Captain Whitely then offers to behead him.
Network TV Version:
35:10
The network TV version contains an extended scene with John and David interrogating Kiowski. He admits that one of his members has been killed. They keep asking for the name of the main leader.
Network TV Version:
36:49
The network TV version contains several deleted scenes. David talks to John, and tells to do everything legally. He then says that if he can’t control himself, then he should excuse himself before he ruins the investigation. A prison guard whispers something to Captain Whitely, to which Captain Whitely asks John, Mike and David to follow him. They go into the interrogation room and find that Kiowski had hanged himself. John and Mike take a walk, where John admits that his emotions had taken over in order to avenge Roger’s death. Mike tells him to bring these men to justice for all the murdered prisoners. Mike then learns that Zacharias had a wife, named Frau. John and David then travel to Heidelberg to visit her. They ask if she knows her location and she says he lives with another woman in Berlin.
Network TV Version:
40:20
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with Tony telling Mike that they don’t have records of the prisoners. Mike asks how it’s possible and Tony suggests they’re in the army. Mike then asks Tony to find Marie and Hans.
Network TV Version:
41:42
The network TV version contains an extended scene Mike asking the commander looking into the file for Peeber, to which he learns he was already released. Mike is about to walk out, but asks the commander what was so funny about Peeber being released.
Network TV Version:
47:43
The network TV version contains a deleted scene. John talks to Mike and David, who reveal that Zacharias is not talking. Mike reveals that the OSS had learned Tony was giving Mike information, and was sent back to America. David is about to go interrogate Zacharias, when Franz shows up. Franz is welcomed by Mike and John and meets David. Franz reveals the information he knew about the execution of the prisoners. He tells them about Dr. Absalon and about the urns of the executed. He then hands John a list of the names of the 50 executed prisoners. Then, there’s’ a longer shot of the intelligence officers talking.
Network TV Version:
52:11
The network TV version shortens a shot of two Allied officers capturing a Gestapo memeber, but there is a deleted scene. John, Mike and David are eating, while they are examining a photo of Zacharias and his girlfriend. They note that their is a landmark in the background. Mike gives it to an intelligence officer, to which they are able to trace the location to Brao.
Network TV Version:
VHS:
56:43
The network TV version contains a longer shot of the painting. Then a deleted scene plays. John, Mike and David are going through records to find Burchart, to which David finds a lead.
Network TV Version:
1:01:27
The network TV version contains an additional shot of John, Mike and David walking down the stairs, where John tells him he’s heading to Moscow. Then, there are two additional shots of the city of Moscow.
Network TV Version:
1:02:55
The network TV version contains some additional footage of John interrogating Dr. Absalon.
Network TV Version:
1:05:45
The network TV version contains a longer shot of John giving Dr. Absalon a cigarette.
Network TV Version:
1:07:23
The network TV version contains some additional footage of the gun fight between the Gestapo and the Allied officers. Mike and two other Allied officers are able to storm into the building and are being held off by a few members while John and David are still stuck in the forests.
Network TV Version:
1:08:21
The network TV version contains a deleted scene with two Allied officers putting at hat on a stick in order to distract the Gestapo. The hat flies off after being shot and one of the Allied officers exchange gunfire with the Gestapo.
Network TV Version:
1:13:02
The network TV version contains an extended scene with Mike asking why Marie’s hair is short. She reveals that anyone who had slept with a German would have their heads shaved. A waiter approaches Marie and takes off her hat, and Mike knocks him out. Another waiter attempts to fight Mike but is also knocked out. Mike tries to clear Marie’s name by stating she had saved his life. No one is convinced, until a woman in the crowd confirms his story. He then hugs Marie. The network TV version also shortens a shot the car driving up to the headquarters.
Network TV Version:
VHS:
1:24:14
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Mike and Marie holding hands. Then a deleted scene plays. John is cleaning out the names of the people who were responsible for the murders of the 50 prisoners and dumps them out. He then takes the names of the 50 prisoners and walks out.
Network TV Version:
1:26:15
The network TV version contains a longer shot of Winston Churchill, John, Mike and Wings toasting to the 50 prisoners that were executed.
Network TV Version:
