Review of Escape from Alcatraz (1979) by Walt W — 04 Aug 2015

Don Siegel's gritty, atmospheric prison drama based of the famous true-life escape. Clint Eastwood delivers one of his finest performances as master bank robbery Frank Morris, a cunning new inmate at The Rock who discovers a way to break out of the inescapable prison.

Working with the Anglins brothers John & Clarence, well-played by Frank Ward and Jack Thibeau and Charley Butts, nicely played by Larry Hankin, Morris devises an intricate escape plan involving digging through the corroded concrete of the individual cells, fashioning dummy heads out of papier-mache and creating life rafts out of rubber rain coats.

But looming over their carefully crafted plans is the sadistic, cold-hearted warden, played brilliantly by the late Patrick McGoohan, and a hulking murderous gay inmate named Wolf, played memorably by Bruce M.

Fisher, who intends to kill Morris. Expertly filmed on the actual Alcatraz island prison. Astute direction by Siegel, with striking cinematography by the late great Bruce Surtees. There are exceptional supporting performances by the late Roberts Blossom, Paul Benjamin, and Frank Ronzio.

A solid, captivating motion picture. Highly Recommended.