It's a dreary Christmas 1944 for the American POWs in Stalag 17 and the men in Barracks 4, all sergeants, have to deal with a grave problem—there seems to be a security leak.
In the end, Stalag 17's irreverence likely didn't revolutionize moviemaking for adults so much as it paved the way for the likes of M*A*S*H and Animal House. Then again, that alone is an achievement worth celebrating.
– Noel Murray,
AV Club,
1 Apr 2006
fresh:
The good greatly outweighs the bad, particularly in the profile of Holden's character, a pragmatic, self-centered cynic whose heroism, when it is finally called upon, appears to come from deep within the barriers he has placed inside of himself.
– Douglas Pratt,
Hollywood Reporter,
13 May 2006
fresh:
A lusty comedy-melodrama, loaded with bold, masculine humor and as much of the original's uninhibited earthiness as good taste and the Production Code permit.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
14 Aug 2007
fresh:
One could make an argument that, among 20th century directors, few were more versatile than Billy Wilder.
– James Berardinelli,
ReelViews,
14 Aug 2007
fresh:
The resulting letdown is terrific, but along the way there is some of the funniest men-at-loose-ends interplay that Wilder has ever put on film.