To commemorate Sir Michael Caine’s 90th birthday, a new photograph of him appearing in his newest production, The Great Escaper, has been published.
Sir Michael, a two-time Oscar winner, co-stars with Glenda Jackson in the upcoming film, which is based on the actual tale of a WWII veteran who escapes from his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy.
The photograph, produced by Pathé to commemorate Sir Michael’s landmark birthday, shows the cockney in character as Bernard Jordan, standing in the front dressed with battle medals and saluting.
A ship is behind Bernard, and its crew members are saluting from across two decks.
Jackson, an Oscar winner, will play Irene, Bernard’s wife of 60 years.
Sir Michael previously appeared in the 1975 romantic comedy The Romantic Englishwoman opposite actress and former MP Jackson.
The Great Escaper, which will be released later this year, will investigate the true tale of Bernard’s 2014 escape, which made headlines.
The film version of Bernard’s narrative and his desire to join fellow-war veterans on the beach in France to remember their dead friends will include examinations of love, old age, and the repercussions of war on those involved.
The Great Escaper is directed by Oliver Parker, who also directed An Ideal Husband in 1999, and written by Made in Dagenham writer William Ivory.
Sir Michael created great concern in 2021 after hinting he was retiring from acting following the film Best Sellers, his performance in which he called his ‘final part’.
He explained at the time: ‘I got this alcoholic part and, funnily enough, it has turned out to be my last part, really. Because I haven’t worked for two years and I have a spine problem which affects my legs so I can’t walk very well.
‘And I also wrote a book – a couple of books – which were published and were successful. I’m now not an actor, I’m a writer, which is lovely because, as an actor, you have to get up at half past six in the morning and go to a studio.
‘A writer, you start writing without leaving the bed!’
Asked on Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review to clarify if Best Sellers will be his last film, Sir Michael went on: ‘I think it would be, yeah.
‘There haven’t been any offers, obviously, for two years, because nobody’s been making any movies that I’d want to do.
‘Also I’m 88! There’s not exactly scripts pouring out where the leading man is 88! You know?’
Notwithstanding Sir Michael’s remarks, The Wrap confirmed with his reps that he was ‘not truly retiring’.
After all, he appears to have had leading man offers since then.
Sir Michael began his career in the 1940s and has become one of Britain’s best-loved performers, appearing in films such as The Italian Job, The Ipcress File, Educating Rita, the Dark Knight trilogy, and Kingsman.
The Great Escaper is set for release in UK cinemas later this year.