Review of Escape from Alcatraz (1979) by Monia V — 23 Mar 2009
Absolutely absorbing from start to finish, ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ is first-class entertainment. Clint Eastwood delivers one of his best (and most underrated) performances as Frank Morris, a brilliant inmate who leads a small group effort to break out of "The Rock" in the early 1960s. For months he and three fellow cons secretly chip away hole at the back of their cells, outsmart guards time and time again, and solicit help from whomever is willing to risk it. Gifted director Don Siegel (THE SHOOTIST, DIRTY HARRY) wisely presents Eastwood and Co. not as one-dimensionally hardened criminals, but as smart, real, indeed likable people who just happen to make their way on the fringes of lawfulness. For the record, I ADORE "The Shawshank Redemption" soooo much but I can say that this is one of the best prison movies ever made (or maybe the best).
Atmospheric and real.
This review of Escape from Alcatraz (1979) was written by Monia V on 23 Mar 2009.
Escape from Alcatraz has generally received very positive reviews.
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