Michael Caine’s WW2 veteran film based on incredible true story is on BBC2 today | Films | Entertainment

Two years ago, Sir Michael Caine starred in what was thought to be his final film with Glenda Jackson, who died before its release.

The Great Escaper reunited the Hollywood legends on the big screen for the first time in half a century.

The film is based on the true story of Bernard Jordan, who in 2014 escaped his care home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

Caine, 92, plays the real-life D-Day World War 2 veteran, with the late Jackson portraying his wife Irene.

The Great Escaper’s synopsis reads: “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 (Jackson) – the story celebrates their love without sentimentality and with an eye to the lessons we might all learn from the Greatest Generation.”

The Great Escaper is on BBC2 at 9:30pm.