Movie Notes: Escape From Alcatraz

April 1st, 2008

= 4 stars

Starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Fred Ward
Directed by Don Siegel

Synopsis

Alcatraz is a high security prison located on an island in San Francisco Bay. Prisoner Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) leads three other men on a daring escape using brains and persistence over brawn. Based on true events.

The Good

• In prison with few tools at his disposal, Frank Morris uses ingenuity to plan the audacious escape, resulting in many scenes where one wonders “what’s he up to?” with pleasing results. Clint Eastwood’s steely minimalist style works well.
• Patrick McGoohan, whoe played a prisoner in the television show The Prisoner, plays a variation on Number 2.
• I see Alcatraz island every day from work, and now have a greater appreciation for how cold that water must be.

The Bad

• The ending is rather inconclusive, but so were the real events.

Conclusion

I enjoyed Escape From Alcatraz. It’s a caper where the criminals refreshingly rely on a bare minimum of assets.

IMBD: Escape From Alcatraz
Wikipedia: Escape From Alcatraz
Rotten Tomatoes: Escape From Alcatraz 93%