There is no doubt that Escape from Alcatraz is the best prison movie of its time. I have seen this movie over, and over again, I enjoyed it each time. It’s one of those movies you’ll never get tired of watching. The movie’s plot is simple and based on Richard Triggle’s novel Escape from Alcatraz it is also based on a true-life story of an actual escape from San Fransisco infamous Alcatraz Prison. Don Siegal directs this movie(Dirty Harry) and it is written by J. Campbell Bruce and released in 1979. Its running time is 2 hours.
In this movie, Frank Morris(Clint Eastwood) has escaped from numerous prisons, and as a result, is sent to Alcratraz Prison, a maximum security prison that is located on an island in San Fransisco that’s surround by water. Later we discover that Frank Morrison also has an IQ of superior intelligence, an attribute most threatening to the warden. No one has ever escaped from Alcratraz prison alive according to a statement the prison’s warden relates to new prisoner Frank Morris portrayed by(Patrick McGoohan). The warden is a sadistic insensitive man who doesn’t care about the prisoners. His position is that the prisoners at Alcatraz are society’s problems. He tells Frank the rules at Alcatraz, and what will be expected of him while serving his time.
While serving time at Alcatraz Frank experience many unusual encounters. His first encounter is with a sexually aggressive inmate who approach him in the shower and threatens him when says ‘’he’s looking for a “punk” he attempts to grab Frank, but frank resolves this issue when he punches him in the stomach. As I watched that scene I personally thought this scene was befitting for Clint Eastwood’s repretation of the bold and masculine tuff guy. Later Frank meets another terrible challenge when these same inmate attempt to stab him in the prison yard. Frank again gets the best of that situation.
Frank’s encounter with a black inmate who befriends him ends with a surprising twist of fate. Later we see a very sensitive Frank when an inmate has a sudden heart attack in the dinning room and the warden shows a very insensitive attitude. Frank then realizes how uncaring and insensitive this warden is when the warden looks down on the body of the dead inmate and says “no one leaves Alcratraz alive anyway.”
Meanwhile, Frank meets Zimmerman(Madison Arnold) an artist who loves to paint; painting is his peaceful outlet while serving his time at Alcatraz. When the warden makes his rounds and he visits Zimmerman’s cell he sees a portrait that Zimmerman has painted of him. The warden becomes offended at his own self-portrait, and permanently suspends all painting privileges for Zimmerman. Zimmerman, feeling helpless and with out his painting privileges cuts off his fingers. Frank and three other inmates have masterminded a plan to escape Alcratraz Prison. What happens next? Will these guys get out of Alcatraz? You’ll find out if you haven’t seen this outstanding classic.
Final Thoughts of Escape from Alcatraz
Escape from Alcatraz is no doubt an outstanding classic, which starts Clint Eastwood; his acting in this movie is superb. The supporting cast members also do an excellent job in their projected roles. I was deeply touched by the role of Zimmerman portrayed by(Madison Arnold) who wonderfully depicted an artist that had been broken by an insenstive warden and prison system, an artist who lost his ability to paint and execute his gift. Patrick McGoohan who portrayed a brutal and insensitive warden is excellent and perfect for this role.
As for the directing and casting it’s well done and perfectly executed. I especially enjoyed these unique cinematic settings at Alcatraz prison, a prison that has now become an international tourist attraction. If you haven’t seen this movie I highly recommend it. It’s a movie you’ll want to have in your movie collection.
Overall, Escape from Alcratraz is a 4 star movie. There are other good movies of this sort that you may want to check out they are The Shawshank Redemption, and The Birdman of Alcatraz. They are must see movies.