Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson reunite in heart-warming drama ‘The Great Escaper’

A new movie starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson has begun filming in England.

The two stars last appeared on screen together nearly half a century ago in Joseph Losey’s 1975 classic The Romantic Englishwoman.

Inspired by true events, The Great Escaper will see the pair reunited to tell the story of octogenarian Bernard Jordan’s escape from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

The film has been scripted by Made in Dagenham writer William Ivory, with Oliver Parker (An Ideal Husband) directing.

Its creative team also includes the editor of Atonement, the costume designer from The Great, and the make-up artist from War & Peace, with The Duke composer George Fenton writing the music.

Here’s a lovely photo of Caine and Jackson filming The Romantic Englishwoman in back the ’70s:

The official synopsis reads: “In the summer of 2014 Bernard Jordan (Michael Caine) made global headlines. He’d staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades.

“It was a story that captured the imagination of the world – Bernie seemed to embody the defiant, “can-do” spirit of a generation that was fast disappearing.

“But of course, it wasn’t the whole story. It was the story we all tell ourselves to make war and old age bearable. The bitter-sweet script explores the reality with wit and a very big heart.

“Bernie’s adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene (Glenda Jackson) – the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we might all learn from the Greatest Generation.”

Director Oliver Parker commented: “No one can resist a script that makes people both laugh and cry – I loved Billy’s writing and the story itself, so inspirational and so moving.”

He added: “To have Michael and Glenda – two iconic actors – agree to honour this story with their brilliance, it’s the cherry on the cake!”

The Great Escaper is set to be released in cinemas in 2023.

This movie sounds wonderful, we’re really looking forward to this!

The Romantic Englishwoman is available on DVD on Amazon.