Film Review: Escape from Alcatraz

Director: Don Siegel

A classic from 1979 that is based on the real life escape of three inmates from the notorious Alcatraz prison. The film marked the fifth and final collaboration between Clint Eastwood and Don Siegel as rumours circulated that they fell out over which companies would have the rights over the production and filming. Over 15 miles of cable were required to give the prison electricity for the entirety of the shoot and many of the scenes were performed by the three main actors Eastwood, Fred Ward, and Jack Thibeau (who had both been cast partly for their athleticism).

The prison on Alcatraz Island

Frank Morris (Eastwood) arrives at Alcatraz Prison in January 1960 after having successfully escaped from other prisons in America, including Atlanta. There he befriends a number of different inmates who help him learn about how Alcatraz is different from any other prison he has been in before, he also has to fight off Wolf (Bruce M. Fisher) who he gets into a fight in the shower with after just a few days. He reunites John and Clarence Anglin (Fred Ward and Jack Thibeau) who decide that they will attempt to escape the prison.

Eastwood performance here is as cool and engrossing as you're likely to see. The rather eccentric characters Morris comes across in prison was a rather new theme at the time and has been copied since. Siegel proves here that nerve-wracking tension wins over pure action in this genre as they plan to escape all under the watchful eyes of the guards. Despite them all being criminals, and possibly too likeable aside from Wolf, you can't help but sympathise with their plight.

Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) in Alcatraz Prison

The film is actually more about prison life for the inmates at Alcatraz than it is about the escape, the plan to escape doesn't develop fully until well into the second half of the movie. 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. Although the magic of the film is the slow build up to the escape itself. "Some men are never destined to leave Alcatraz alive" but I guess we'll never know for sure whether Frank Morris is one of those men.

3.5/4 Thrilling prison drama