Principal photography has started on the Great Escaper starring Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson.

The feature, from Ecosse Films for Pathe and BBC Films, reunites the acting icons after 47 years – they last appeared together on screen in The Romantic Englishwoman.

Oliver Parker directs from a screenplay by William Ivory. Robert Bernstein and Douglas Rae produce; the executive producers are Cameron McCracken for Pathé and Eva Yates for BBC Film. Christopher Ross is DoP; the production designer is Nick Palmer.

Inspired by true events, the film will tell the story of octogenarian Bernard Jordan”s escape from his care home to attend the 70th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings in France.

In the summer of 2014. Jordan made global headlines. He”d staged a “great escape” from his care home to join fellow war veterans on a beach in Normandy, commemorating their fallen comrades.

His adventure, spanning a mere 48 hours, also marked the culmination of his 60-year marriage to Rene.

Parker said: ‘No one can resist a script that makes people both laugh and cry – I loved Billy”s writing and the story itself, so inspirational and so moving; to have Michael and Glenda – two iconic actors – agree to honour this story with their brilliance, it”s the cherry on the cake!”

Image credit: Rob Youngson.