Escape From Alcatraz Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
No one has ever escaped from Alcatraz... And no one ever will!
The true story of Frank Morris, a convict who was sent to Alcatraz, the most feared prison in the world. Although nobody had ever escaped from Alcatraz, Frank did it.
| Clint Eastwood | Frank Morris |
| Patrick McGoohan | Warden |
| Roberts Blossom | Doc |
| Jack Thibeau | Clarence Anglin |
| Fred Ward | John Anglin |
| Paul Benjamin | English |
| Larry Hankin | Charley Butts |
| Bruce M. Fischer | Wolf |
| Frank Ronzio | Litmus |
| Fred Stuthman | Johnson |
| David Cryer | Wagner |
| Madison Arnold | Zimmerman |
| Blair Burrows | Fight Guard |
| Bob Balhatchet | Medical Technical Assistant |
| Matthew Locricchio | Exam Guard |
| Don Siegel |
7.50 out of 10 (16018 votes)
Visitor Reviews
One of the greatest movies ever!!!!!!!!
posted on 10 Aug 2009Clint Eastwood one of America's favorite actors and one of mine as well stars in Escape from Alcatraz. This movie is one of my favorite movies. Clint portrays Frank Morris the masterminder of Alcatraz who made a brillant escape plan to escape from the infamous prison. This film is based on a true story of the three men who escaped in june on 1962. Well to Frank Morris, and the Anglins i hope u made it.
Escape from Alcatraz
posted on 14 Jun 2009"Escape from Alcatraz" is based on a true story; but I'm not sure just how true the story is. What I do know is that three men did escape from Alcatraz and were never seen again. No trace of their bodies were ever recovered. While, in the end, it looksl ike they probably drowned. It's still interesting to think about. Anyway, don't worry that wasn't a spoiler. You can get that from the back cover. This movie (despite knowing what's going to happen) is very entertaining, genuinely suspenceful, and it's clear just how much shows like "Prison Break" owe to it. The movie stars Clint Eastwood ('Unforgiven') as Frank Morris, a convict who is shipped to the infamous Alcatraz Prison after attempting to escape from the last prison he was in. Frank adapts to life at Alcatraz, although it isn't easy. While, this film doesn't match the brutality a movie like "The Shawshank Redemption" did, this film captures the claustrophobia of the prison perfectly. Anyway, Frank quickly befriends a few colorful characters; Doc (Roberts Blossom), English (Paul Benjamin), Charley Butts (Larry Hankin), and two people we gather he'd known before...John and Clarence Anglin (Fred Ward & Jack Thibeau).
While only 3 of the men escape, all these characters end up playing important roles in the escape. This movie was made way back in 1979 and barely seems dated. It's realistic for it's time and all and was actually shot at Alcatraz, which helps. All the actors are really good, especially Eastwood who's in one of his best performances here. The movie is also very smart, it explores in detail exactly what they did to get out. The biggest problem with this movie isn't even the movie, it's the DVD. They need to do a new transfer and put out a special editon. This might only pertain to my copy, but there were times where I could barely hear the dialogue (and there's no English subtitles). There's no special features (a featurette on the escapees would have been nice); But the movie is really flawless. If you like the show "Prison Break" or enjoy prison movies, this is one of the best.
GRADE: A
Stands the test of time
posted on 29 Apr 2009Clint Eastwood is one of my favorite actors, always has been. However his acting range is limited and his characters never stray too far from each other but that never makes him less watchable and the guy has been in films for decades. Escape from Alcatraz is considered one of his many film classics and for good reason. It's full of entertainment, suspense, fun and strong characters.Filmed on location in Alcatraz makes it all the more believable and real. Despite the title the film is more about the actual prison life than it is the escape which although is being planned throughout doesn't actually happen until the last fifteen minutes of the film. Alcatraz was maximum security in every sense of the word and director Don Siegel leaves nothing out in showing us every aspect of the men's lives in this prison. Eastwood's character Frank Morris is brilliant and Eastwood plays him brilliant. He always looks like he's got something cooking and watching him as he carefully analyzes every room he enters from the very beginning. It's a small subtle thing that makes his character so well done. Eastwood by far has most of the screen time and as always he does it flawlessly and interestingly. The supporting cast is nonetheless excellent as well. Brilliant character actor Larry Hankin plays Charley Butts a rather emotional and weak man who desperately wants to escape especially upon hearing that his mother is fatally ill. Eastwood's character takes Butts under his wing but unfortunately to no avail in the end. Roberts Blossom also adds a lot of emotion to the cast as "Doc" a character that even the prison guards seem to like who becomes very distraught when the warden takes away his painting privileges. Fred Ward as fellow escapee and friend to Morris John Anglin doesn't have a lot of screen time but he's always good in what he does. I think the one OVER-rated actor and role of the film is the nameless Warden played by Patrick McGoohan. His role was brief and although he plays the stone cold Warden well there really was nothing to his role. I noticed a lot of critics hailing him and I have to wonder why as he was in it so briefly?? The real magic of the film is the build up to the escape. No character is left untapped, we feel like we are a part of this prison, their every day lives, their pain, their emotions and finally we get to experience their glorious and seemingly flawless escape plan. It's an emotional film and has stood the test of time as a classic for a reason. I don't think anyone will be disappointed in watching this film, it's just a lot of fun and a classic film!! 9/10
One of Eastwood's best!
posted on 08 Apr 2009ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ is probably my favorite prison movie out there. I enjoyed it more than THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, which is also a great movie. Everything in this movie works. The acting is solid, especially Patrick McGoohan as the warden and there's plenty of edge-of-your-seat suspense throughout. Clint Eastwood and Don Siegel are known for making great movies together, and this is no exception. It along with DIRTY HARRY rank as my favorite Eastwood film's. 5/5
One Great Prison Movie
posted on 08 Apr 2009This is the greatest prison movie next to "Papillon". For some people this movie may be better than Papillon. For one reason its not as long and Papillon can be confusing at times but even though Eastwood was awesome in his role McQueen was by far better. Plus Papillon will have you on the edge of your seat on some parts. If you really think about it Papillon is more of an escape movie than a prison movie. If you want an all around prison movie, Escape From Alcatraz beats them all but if you want to see half prison half escape then Papillon takes the cake. I was surprised to see Shawshank Redemption rated so high. Shawshank didnt really even catch my eye. Morgan Freeman is always an awesome actor but i didnt even get into the movie. It actually was slow to me so if you want a good prison movie that isnt slow and gets right to the point then stick to Escape From Alcatraz.
Grade A Eastwood
posted on 30 Mar 2009I saw this film as a child (I've always been a big CE fan). Eastwood and director Don Siegel made the great Dirty Harry and re-team for this account of perhaps the only sucessful escape from the "escape proof" prison. Eastwood brings his trademark stoicism to the role. Not too much is revealed about his character other then he has a superior IQ and had a very "short" childhood. Patrick McGoohan is wonderful as the suspicious warden (before you think he was so cruel remember those guys weren't there for being boy scouts). Like he tells Eastwood "Alcatraz was built to keep all the rotton eggs in one basket". These guys really showed patience, ingenuity and a lot of guts in trying to escape against the biggest odds imaginable. Granted they are criminals, but you have to have grudging admiration for them. Did they make it or not? I think they drowned, the day of the escape there was an oil tanker that saw a body floating in the ocean. It matched Frank Morris's description. There was also a skull fished out of San Francisco bay and a bloated body found a few months later. It could not be identified, but the apparel coincided with that of the escapees. By the way, look for Danny Glover in an early role.
Great 'Escape'.
posted on 04 Feb 2009My Take: A typically strong performance by Clint Eastwood carries this film. ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ is a classic escapist action film starring squint-eyed action star Clint Eastwood, who will surely make your day here in this classic escape movie directed by Don Siegel. This film, based on a supposed true story, is about the first successful escape from the inescapable prison of the title. About it being a true story I don't know, but I enjoyed it a lot, with its dosage of mystery and even a few comedy. Then there's Eastwood, very competent in the lead role. ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ my not be a solid action adventure, but it's a solid thriller, and it's gripping entertainment from start to finish.Eastwood plays Frank Morris, an inmate in the most feared prison in the world. Everyone has tried but no one has ever escaped the dreaded prison, no matter the attempt... until now. Morris, according to legend, has escaped along with a few fellow inmates in an attempt where others have miserably fails. The first few half of the film devotes to Morris' plans, while the second, the great escape itself. Patrick McGoohan gives a strong performance as the Warden and Fred Ward as one of the escapists.The film runs in a low-key pace. It's a little slow and doesn't move in a breakneck pace. But I think it's for the best of the film. The low-key approach allows Siegel pay attention to the detail and therefore make the escape intriguing rather than a pure run-on-the-mill action fare. Eastwood holds our attention while the screenplay, filled with some great lines and some ingenious escape attempts, still remain interesting.Rating: ***1/2 out of 5.
a perfect portrayal of what happened at Alcatraz
posted on 30 Dec 2008This is a film that is beautifully made, tautly paced, full of suspense, and is long but with enough energy and suspense to make me wish it was even longer. "Escape from Alcatraz", made by the same team who made Clint Eastwood famous in "Dirty Harry", is a magnificent portrayal of prison life. While it may not be as heart-wrenching or powerful as "The Shawshank Redemption", it is in its own right, dramatic enough to explain to viewers why a person would want to break out of jail and resume a life of freedom. The performances, Clint Eastwood in particular, were top-notch. The mysterious, unnamed warden, while not a major role, contributed greatly the overall feeling of the movie and how Alcatraz was much like the character: mysterious, solid, and unchanging. Supporting characters were all excellent as well, and played by actors who we will not all recognize, which in my opinion, works out better for the overall appearance of the movie.Unlike "Dirty Harry", "Escape from Alcatraz" is not an action movie. But it doesn't need to be. Because right from the beginning, the suspense and mystery is thrilling enough to keep you glued to your seat as the characters work out their way of breaking free from the so-called Rock of Alctraz. And as explained earlier in the movie, even IF they break free, you know there's the possibility that they won't live to see freedom.
love Love LOVE THIS MOVIE
posted on 28 Nov 2008Forget Clint Eastwood - this movie is based on a true story and I LOVE IT. That was a personal comment and I meant it as such. I just happen to be drawn to any movie involving jail threats, and a movie (not only) ALL ABOUT escaping from one is heaven already, but a movie about the successful escape of the most 'impossible' of all jails, in which the main character is a guy who escapes from ALL jails he's ever been in is just Heaven with frosting. Add in Clint Eastwood and that's just even more frosting. In fact, this movie turned me into a clint eastwood 'fan' of some sort, as when I saw it i had no idea who the star was nor could care less. Awesome movie - just ... awesome in every way. 10 out of 10. 100 out of 100.
Not as good as I had hoped
posted on 28 Oct 2008I have to agree with others who say this film is a tad overrated. It's based on a good story, but it still leaves a lot to be desired.By now, you know what this movie is all about - several prisoners held at Alcatraz island plan their escape from the prison. Clint Eastwood is the star of this film, and he does a pretty good job portraying the ringleader of the prisoners who will attempt to escape.I hope you don't fall into the same trap that I did, before I saw this movie. I was expecting it to be similar to the Great Escape, which deals with the escape of several prisoners held in a German POW camp during World War II. But in reality, Escape from Alcatraz is almost nothing at all like the Great Escape.The biggest flaw in Escape from Alcatraz is that the characterizations are far too shallow. For one thing, if we're supposed to want the prisoners to escape, we need to see more examples of what is so bad about the prison in the first place. Are we supposed to just go along with the prisoners who say that the warden is a bad guy? Just imagine how much worse Star Wars would have been if we hadn't seen Darth Vader torturing and killing people. That's what this movie was like.It would have been a tremendous improvement in this movie if there were more scenes with the warden that would allow us to see his character for ourselves. We also need much more depth on these criminals so that we can empathize with them and hope for their escape. In any heist or escape film, the audience needs a reason to side with the crooks - it doesn't happen automatically, just because Clint Eastwood plays the main character. So the movie isn't as good as it could be.But it's not all bad. I think it had a great ending, and in some places, it has a very interesting and exciting storyline. But a few highlights aren't enough for me to overcome the lack of depth in the characters and the storyline. This movie is not a "must-see", in my opinion.
This is Movie like they use to make them
posted on 05 Sep 2008Escape from Alcatraz is a straightforward , no nonsense kind of movie which is very rarely being made today. No gimmicks, no sex to speak of, and really it was a man's movie as I believe only one female appeared in the whole movie. Everyone was acting their all and even the bit part actors were in top form. It was exciting without being a bloodbath and I enjoyed seeing the movie again after many years. Nearly 2 hours of first class entertainment and look out for Danny Glover in his first starring role I believe. You may have already guess that I enjoy the movies which were made in the 40s, 50s, and 60s much more than most of the garbage made today. Thank you for giving me the chance to write this review. Michael J Wareham
Good acting by Eastwood and very entertaining!
posted on 02 Aug 2008It starts a bit slow but towards the end it becomes a very entertaining and actually a smart action film.Clint Eastwood as the very cool man is excellent as he has been many times before and I recommend this one much more then "Dirty Harry".No masterpiece but still worth watching because it´s very exciting in the end and the whole film is entertaining.I would rate this: 4/5
solid prison-breakout flick with machismo wit and fine touches of ambiguity
posted on 24 Jun 2008The last of the five collaborations between director Don Siegel and producer/actor Clint Eastwood, Escape from Alcatraz isn't a great blockbuster action flick like Dirty Harry or an experiment like the Beguiled. It is more the former, if anything, and a crackerjack example at best of what to do in crafting suspense from the elements of basic despair in the mindset of men. Barely sentimental (the exception might be with the loss of painting privileges for one prisoner), the film is an examination of a cold system put on by hard-bitten prisoners who are stuck by what the character English says is "one huge count." It isn't a kind of existential struggle like A Man Escaped, nor a big bombastic crowd-pleaser like Shawshank Redemption either. But for its intended audience, which are fans of its perennial heroic star, and for the lean style from director Siegel, it's one always worth a look when it pops up on TV or if it remains sitting all by itself on the video shelf at the store.Basics to know: Eastwood plays Frank Morris, a criminal who broke out of an Atlanta prison and got sent to Alcatraz, the most insurmountable prison ever constructed. But after taking enough guff from the exacting prison warden (McGoohan looks like he's not entirely acting, as if he's been a warden for years and years, which is why he's one of the most convincing of all movie wardens), getting stuck in the horror that is 'the hole', and seeing the damage done to fellow prisoners, he takes action through the crumbling wall of his grate. Among certain accepted- and refreshingly well done- prison movie clichés, we get the big fat brute (Bruce M Fishcer), the wise old inmate (Paul Benjamin, some of his are the subtlest scenes), and the determined but weak-in-the-spirit inmate (Larry Hanklin, a great character actor, one of those like Robert Schiavelli you can spot right away). And all the while, the storytelling goes at a pace that never rushes, never pushes against little details with Litmus or the visitors to the inmates.If sometimes it doesn't give a little bit of exposition on some characters- like its protagonist (we never know how bad Eastwood really is or not, he just is, though unlike a Nicholson he never really exploits any kind of rebel posit)- and sometimes has a moment of suspense that can be seen right around the corner (a funny sound while digging, trouble with the disguised dummy heads in the beds), the climax practically makes up for any moments of conventionality. Especially if one isn't completely familiar with the real history behind the Alcatraz escape it cranks up to a high degree through the dark shadows of the prison innards and the outside at night. And it's also fascinating to see an indefinite point at the end of the film; it's the attempt that counts, not the total end result. A cool and effective thriller. 8.5/10
great suspence
posted on 22 Jun 2008EASTWOOD PORTRAYS FRANK MORRIS AND HIS WITTY SLY WAYS OF THE GREAT "ESCAPE" FROM THE MOST FAMOUS PRISON SITE IN AMERICA ALCATRAZ. I ENJOY THE PLOT AND THE SUSPENCE WAY OVER TO MY TOP TEN LIST, THE DIRECTER HAS MADE SOMETHING VERY WELL CRAFETED IN THE MEMORY OF THE GREAT ESCAPE OF ALCATRAZ.
There was no escaping "The Rock"... till Frank Morris came along
posted on 01 Apr 2008Alcatraz was supposed to be escape-proof. With guards always on the watch, along with high, concrete walls, not to mentioned shark- infested waters, there's not a snowball's chance in hell anyone could have got out of "The Rock". But rumor has it that 3 inmates didmanaged to get away (sounds like an UNSOLVED MYSTERIES episode, huh?), and this movie, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, showcases the daring getaway attempt. Clint Eastwood, hard-edged and dark as ever, plays Frank Morris, a convict that had the element of escape. Morris, along with the Anglin Brothers (Jack Thibeu and Fred Ward), hatched the plan to bust out with the use of dummies, spoons, and brain-power. Eastwood is as top-notched as ever, and Patrick McGoohan (of THE PRISONER fame) is chilling as the warden. Don Siegel, again teaming up with his DIRTY HARRY player Eastwood, directs quite a concoction of thrills and sus- pence in this movie.
very good movie
posted on 14 Mar 2008this is without dought one of the the best films i have seen ever,the acting the location the whole atmosphere of the film is very moving and has stayed with me since i seen the film many many years ago of course 99percent of movies with clint eastwood in are very very watchable indeed if not very addictive, the other actors involved in this film also do it justice "charlie butts" very amusing character who cant seem to keep up with escape attempt and finally ends up crying in his cell!!!!also bruce m fisher who plays wolf and takes a unwelcoming likening to clint eastwood in the showers is rather interesting,but nobody knows if these three prisoners did escape or drowned?chances are they are more than likely died from old age by now
escape plot
posted on 04 Feb 2008a strong storyline based on described as unescapable u.s. prison island with water all around called alcatraz. Clint Eastwood in strong role in strong film story tries to do the great feat of escaping. The film is based on true escape from alcatraz which makes film interesting. Well acted and a good film, clint eastwood's calm and determined role is memorable. He had become big star around 1964 and was making big films through 1970s. Patrick Mc Goohan stars in one of his best roles as hard, stern prison governor with a suspicious, no nonsense approach. This role type hadn't been seen played by Patrick Mc Goohan before. (he was a prisoner himself in popular 1960s TV series) There's great attention to detail and great scenes such as shock mutilation prisoners workshop scene, fooling guards, making escape tunnels. The film gives good insight to prison life and routine and shows daily lives of prisoners inside the prison
ALCATRAZ is TOP NOTCH EASTWOOD FILM
posted on 13 Aug 2009I remember seeing this one on the big screen in 1980 and I will never forget the teaser trailer with the words "NO ONE HAS EVER ESCAPED FROM ALCATRAZ. AND NO ONE EVER WILL...". This film is top notch from start to finish. Filmed on location at Alcatraz with excellent supporting cast(Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau, Robert Blossom, Patrick McGoohan)and if you look really close you can spot Danny Glover as an inmate.By the way, the actor playing the warden(Patrick McGoohan) is not the same actor who played the warden in Shawshank Redemption. Bob Gunton played the warden in that one.