Michael Caine Suggests His Upcoming Film ‘The Great Escaper’ May Be His Last: “I Sort of Am Retired Now”

At 90, Michael Caine reflects on his extraordinary life and career ahead of the release of what he believes could be his last film.

During a recent interview with The Telegraphthe Oscar-winning English actor talks about his role in The great escapein which he stars opposite Glenda Jackson, who died in June at the age of 87, just months after filming wrapped.

The Oliver Parker-directed film is based on the true story of a British World War II veteran, Bernard Jordan (Caine), who escapes from his care home to attend the 70th anniversary of the D-Day celebrations in France.

“I was so happy to do it,” Caine told the outlet. “I just loved Bernie’s character. I thought it was incredible, and it was so beautifully written.”

Caine said he thought he was done with acting as he hadn’t made a film in three years due to COVID-19, but then he got the chance to play Bernard and “suddenly did it – and had such a great time. “

Although he admitted that playing the role was quite physically challenging. “They gave me a really good cane, and I was able to do scenes that needed it. I only did it once and then fell over,” he explained. ‘Just one take and that’s it. Never mind.”

Later in the interview, when asked about his retirement, Caine said he is now “kind of” retired. “I’m fucking 90 now, and I can’t walk properly and stuff,” he added.

If The great escape Although it is Caine’s last film, it would follow a decades-long career in the film industry with over 100 credits, including The Dark KnightThe prestige, The cider house rules, The quiet American and more.

“I had the best possible life I could have imagined,” he said later. ‘The best possible wife and the best possible family. They may not be a family that other people would say is the best possible family, but they are the best possible family for me.”

On why he would like to be remembered, he said: “The fact that I remained an actor all my life and never did anything else. I never left, I never wanted to leave.”

Caine previously made it clear in 2021 that he would not end his acting career after making a statement on the BBC Radio program Kermode and Mayo that seemingly suggested his role in it Bestsellers could well be his last.

The great escape will be released on October 6.