The Great Escaper director reveals Glenda Jackson's reaction to the film before her death

Virgin Radio

21 Sep 2023, 07:28

New movie The Great Escaper stars Michael Caine and the late Glenda Jackson, in what was her final film before her death.

Ahead of its release on 6th October, the World Premiere took place at the BFI Southbank in London last night (20th September), and virginradio.co.uk was there to talk to some of its stars, including director Oliver Parker, who opened up about what Glenda Jackson thought of the movie.

The Great Escaper tells the true story of Bernard ‘Bernie’ Jordan (played by Caine), a WWII veteran who escaped from his care home to travel to Normandy to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. Jackson plays Irene ‘Rene’ Jordan, Bernie’s wife of 60 years.

Jackson died aged 87 on 15th June 2023, after work had been completed on The Great Escaper. She enjoyed a glittering career, during which she won two Academy Awards, before moving into politics, becoming Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn between 1992 and 2015.

Speaking to virginradio.co.uk and other press from the red carpet last night, director Parker spoke about the fact that Jackson was able to see the film, and he revealed what she thought of it. “Well, I think she loved it,” he said. “She’s so modest, you know, she's so incredible. She didn’t really talk about her own performance. She loved the whole thing, and she talked about other performances, but I think she was hugely relieved. Because you never really know what's happening when you're an actor. 

“I've been an actor, and you sometimes think you're in something wonderful. And you look at it and go, ‘Hmm, maybe not quite what we thought’, or sometimes you're surprised, but she seemed genuinely delighted.”

Keep an eye on virginradio.co.uk for more interviews from the World Premiere of The Great Escaper.

The Great Escaper is out in cinemas on Friday 6th October.