Steve stars in one of his most popular roles as American pilot Virgil Hilts aka The Cooler King, named after the amount of time he spends in the 'cooler' after repeated escape attempts and run ins with the camp commandant.

The famous motorcycle jump scene

Steve performed all his character's motorbike stunts in the escape scenes, EXCEPT the famous final jump over the 6 foot high barbed wire fence. That was done by his Stunt Double (Bud Ekins). Although many people incorrectly believed that it was Steve who had done the stunt, it was Steve himself who set the record straight, when in an interview on the Johnny Carson Show Carson congratulated him on doing the jump. Although it must have been embarrasing to admit in front of an adoring nationwide audience, Steve corrected him, saying, "It wasn't me. That was Bud Ekins". The Movie Studio wasn't very happy that he admitted this, but Steve had too much integrity to take the credit for another man's bravery and skill. In the scenes leading up to the big jump where Virgil Hilts is being chased by the Germans, director John Sturges struck a problem. McQueen as Hilts kept out running the less skilled German riders chasing him. The solution... Steve did his own riding as Virgil, and then donned a German bike helmet and uniform and did the riding for the pursuing German troops. In effect, through clever film editing, you see Steve McQueen chasing Steve McQueen in the final film!