Escape from Alcatraz

Excellent movie, I’ve seen this many times in the past and I’m always wanting more

Gotta feel for this due to the later emergence of 'The Shawshank Redemption' and even 'Prison Break', but 'Escape From Alcatraz' still merits its own props as a great film.

I love a good prison escape flick, shown by my love for those two aforementioned productions which do improve on the formula; TSR - one of my favourite films, fwiw - particularly must've took a lot of inspiration from this, I noted a fair few similarities.

With the cast, you have an excellent performance from Clint Eastwood. Patrick McGoohan fits his role nicely, while Paul Benjamin and Larry Hankin are the best of the rest. I would've liked more development for the characters of Fred Ward and Jack Thibeau, who felt a little tacked on. Elsewhere, Danny Glover makes his acting debut in a tiny, tiny role.

I found the pacing to be very good, sure the story I guess is obvious in terms of its direction but I still got tense and edgy whilst watching the escape take place. The ambience of the film is a positive too, with the exception of one moment early on where there's an overly on the nose lightning strike as one of the characters mentions Alcatraz - nothing major, it's a nit-pick and it's my only one so that's a big plus.

Interesting to note this was the final collaboration between Eastwood and director Don Siegel, take out 'Coogan's Bluff' and that was an extremely effective partnership - this 1979 release and 'Two Mules for Sister Sara' being my favourites.

A classic prison movie based on true events. If you ever have bee or will be in Alcatraz, you’ll see the real places where it happened. Just a classic not to miss

Escape from Alcatraz is a gripping and tense film that showcases the power of hope and determination against seemingly impossible odds. Directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood in one of his standout performances, the film tells the true story of a daring escape from the infamous Alcatraz prison in 1962.

One of the film’s most impressive aspects is the portrayal of the warden (played by Patrick McGoohan), whose cold, empathetic nature brings a chilling atmosphere to the film. His character highlights the outdated and inhumane views held by those in power, comparing the inmates to animals, an idea that further complicates the moral dilemmas surrounding the story. His role is essential in bringing the bleakness of the prison to life.

The film is filled with suspense, keeping the audience on the edge of their seat from start to finish. The careful planning of the escape and the limited resources at the prisoners’ disposal create an atmosphere of constant tension, making the viewers invested in their struggle for freedom.

Supporting performances are also noteworthy. English, played by Larry Hankin, stands out as a memorable character and evokes comparisons to Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption — his presence and depth resonate with the audience.

The film also serves as a poignant reminder of human rights and the broader issues of justice and fairness that remain relevant to this day. Escape from Alcatraz sheds light on the flaws in the penal system and the harsh realities of life in prison, making it both a thrilling and thought-provoking experience.

Based on real events, the film draws attention to a famous case that continues to puzzle the FBI. The escape attempt itself led to significant changes, culminating in the eventual closure of Alcatraz prison in 1963.

One particularly strong moment in the film is the flower scene, where the idea of hope shines through, showing that no matter the bleak situation, the human spirit can still strive for freedom and dignity.

While Escape from Alcatraz may not be Clint Eastwood’s best film, it is certainly one of his finest works and deserves a place in his top 10.

Ratings:
• Story: 7/10
• Acting: 8/10
• Authenticity: 8/10
• Production: 7/10

Overall Rating: 8/10 – A highly recommended film, full of tension, strong performances, and a compelling story that resonates long after the credits roll.

Good escape movie at that time

Eastwood in another installment of the "man without name" series. Little is known of him other than he's dedicated, resourceful, a survivor and hates when people are treated unfairly. And as always you don't even know what will happen to him after his time at Alcatraz .And he's again great in this role.

Among the many "prison break" movies, this is certainly a good one. Even better when you realize it's a true story. It helps that they were able to film at the real island (which of course was only possible because the prison was shut down shortly after the escape). The fact that it's a true story also makes their escape much more believable. Otherwise it would be difficult to accept that they were never able to scout their entire exit route and still managed to reach the coast.

Movies of this genre share the same elements. Thus it isn't very surprising what they need to do. Countless times we have seen spoons that are used to dig, tricks to make the debris disappear and objects covering the hole. But that's okay. This movie is till exciting until the very end. And though it isn't exactly a happy ending (or is it?) I'm very satisfied to watch their escape. And I feel sorry for Butts. The movie lacks the profound philosophy of *The Shawshank Redemption* or the spectacular cinematography of *A Man escaped* though. In theory, parts of this movie also discuss serious topics like racism, friendship and the appalling state of the US penal system, but this isn't what makes *Escape from Alcatraz* worth your time. Such aspects are never discussed thoroughly.

Awww I feel for Charley Butts :|

A mediocre movie, boring and slow...

Loved it, very good movie