Sorry to go on, but I feel that you as a reviewer are missing a few things (possibly from generational bias). You are aware of the brash, blase or wisecracking comments of the filmic "hero-in-danger", recalling 30s British Hitchcock films, American Hope/Crosby "Road Pictures" (1940 on), "The Thin Man" (1934 on) etc etc.

This style, which is possibly uniquely British/American (also Australian, Canadian) was picked up by our soldiers in WW II to great effect. It created a kind of bravery, ingenuity, and transparency, which allowed for great coping mechanisms and heroism (it is said that the advantage of Western troops was the great latitude given the non-coms...think corporals and sergeants who go out of the box). Also, when in a bad situation, it doesn't do any good to fall apart...a little Cary Grant goes a long ways. It probably also got you a few dates.

This is actually quite British influenced (with undoubtedly a Jewish admixture), as the wisecracking genre is rather unique to our culture. Somehow, it may have began (or mixed) with Colonialism and "C'est le Guerre" French adventurism. A cigarette before your firing squad? "Thanks but I'm trying to quit" kind of thing.

In Stalag Luft III (and the Great Escape), there are hundreds of accounts, full of this "life imitates art" joking bravado. In fact, the daily entertainment seems to have been creating jokes that the Germans didn't get. The Germans and Japanese were notoriously...um...humorless by comparison...bad movie machinery?

When you reviewed "The Great Escape", I felt you missed on that part, which the film actually nailed. I grew up with the WW II generation, so for us old folks, this not only reminds us of what really happened, but what helped win the war. The Irish? They sat out the war, maybe they don't get it.

Note to Gen Y & Z who don't "get" "The Great Escape"....you're welcome.