As the Allies begin to push the Nazis back toward Germany, U.S. combat pilot Col. Joseph Ryan (Sinatra) is shot down and placed in a prison camp. Initially, he's more concerned with surviving than escaping, earning him the insulting nickname, "Von Ryan." But in time, Ryan takes over from the commanding British officer (Trevor Howard) and masterminds a daredevil race for freedom that involves commandeering a train and getting it across Italy to Switzerland with the Nazis in hot pursuit. Then it's all blazing action, hair-raising chases and spectacular Italian scenery in this Oscar®-nominated adventure that runs full speed until the nail-biting finale!