Review of Escape from Alcatraz (1979) by Mark N — 02 Jun 2008

John Anglin: Hey, how's it going, Frank?

Frank Morris: Well, the Anglins. What are you guys doing, just dropping by?

Clarence Anglin: Yeah, thought we'd pay you a visit.

Frank Morris: Gonna stay long?

John Anglin: Nah, not long. Only about fifteen or twenty years.

Frank Morris: Why the Rock?

Clarence Anglin: We were going over the wall in Atlanta when we encountered a minor problem.

Frank Morris: Such as?

Clarence Anglin: They saw us.

Frank Morris: Yeah, that do present problems.

A very entertaining prison thriller based on true events, starring Clint Eastwood in complete cool mode.

Eastwood stars as Frank Morris, a new inmate to Alcatraz prison. Upon arriving, he meets the warden, played by Patrick McGoohan (a few points for anyone who can see the joke their), and is told basically that his life no longer means anything and he should get used to having his life suck.

As Morris begins his time he meets a few characters. Some are good, such as English, a black librarian, Doc a painter, and Litmus, a man with a pet rat. One is bad, a big guy who wants fresh meat.

After dealing with some of the issues of prison life, Morris teams up with a few other inmates and they work on a complicated and daring escape plan. From their, the story portrays the various elements that make up the plan and the eventual outcome.

The two best things about this movie involve how cool Eastwood is and the fact that this movie moves along very well.

Eastwood not only delivers every line in the coolest way possible, he is basically liked by everyone. Everyone enjoys his no nonsense style and dry humor.

The movie, which was directed by Don Siegel, helmer of other Eastwood flicks, such as Dirty Harry, treats this movie as a well paced thriller, while managing to inject some feelings into the portrayal of prison life.

Of course, their are a number of elements that give this a guy movie quality, keeping it back from being greater. The focus on story leaves little in way of characters. Two of the escapees are literally placed into the film without giving us any sense of who they are, however, it does help that one of them is played by Fred Ward. The basic meanness of the Warden is also just that - mean.

However, the fact that the events depicted are for the most part true, excluding facts obviously put in for dramatic effect, makes this even more enjoyable.

The film as a whole is very enjoyable, emphasis being on Eastwood's cool.

Warden: Morris, I understand there was an accident in the workshop the other day?

Frank Morris: Accident? Oh you mean Doc. Yeah it seems someone didn't like what he was painting so someone wouldn't let him paint anymore.

Warden: Well someone should have warned Doc to be careful about what he painted.

Frank Morris: Your absolutely right sir, there's always the possibility some asshole would be offended. Isn't there?