Escape From Alcatraz

140. Escape From Alcatraz

Escape From Alcatraz is the 1979 collaboration between Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegel. It would also be their last due to a falling out between the two over rights to the film.

This is a dramatization of the only successful prison break from the maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island. Alcatraz was called the Rock and rightfully so in that escape was a near-impossible task. If you managed to overcome the combination of a plethora of armed guards and barbed wire fence, you'd still have to contend with the icy cold waters and a mile long swim to dry land. Somehow prisoners Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin made the escape. Of course, it has never been confirmed if they actually were successful or not, lack of evidence to the contrary leads one to believe that they did make it.

I like this movie quite a bit. I am a big Clint Eastwood fan so having him as the lead is always a plus. The story is interesting and engaging right from the start. There really isn't much in the way of character development, as we're never given the reason why Eastwood is locked up. Nor any of the other inmates really. Basically, he's a bad guy but we want to see him succeed because the warden and prison workers are worse guys. Eastwood is solid, as always. Good support comes from Fred Ward, Larry Hankin, Patrick McGoohan, Paul Benjamin and Roberts Blossom.

Overall, this is a good flick. I recommend it.