Escape From Alcatraz

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2:01

Escape From Alcatraz

PG

1979

1h 47m

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

97%

Tomatometer

31 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood), a hardened con with a history of prison breaks, is sent to serve the rest of his life sentence at Alcatraz -- America's most infamously brutal and inescapable maximum security prison. Morris quickly realizes the prison's dehumanizing effects and clashes with its cruel warden (Patrick McGoohan). Fed up with life at Alcatraz, Morris and two convict brothers (Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau) meticulously plan the unthinkable: an escape from the island.

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Critics Consensus

Escape from Alcatraz makes brilliant use of the tense claustrophobia of its infamous setting -- as well as its leading man's legendarily flinty resolve.

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Bob Thomas

Associated Press

Escape From Alcatraz is a nifty prison movie, among the best of that genre ever made.

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Escape from Alcatraz is relentless in establishing a mood and pace of unrelieved tension.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Geoff Andrew

Time Out

It's an austere depiction of the tedious routines of prison life, and of the courage and strength of spirit needed in coping with unpleasant warders, tough fellow-inmates, and a life sentence.

Jan 26, 2006

Full Review

Erick Estrada

Cinegarage

The film is dry and contained and has an almost kitsch charm, proper of the times... [Full review in Spanish]

Apr 26, 2023

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

For an Eastwood vehicle, there’s very little action per se, but few will mind.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 27, 2023

Full Review

Danielle Solzman

Solzy at the Movies

Escape from Alcatraz remains a timeless thriller over 40 years after its release and makes great use of its setting.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 23, 2023

Full Review

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Audience Member

Underrated and amazing. The intensity was awesome. The acting was on point. The story, amazing.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/22/24

Full Review

Joshua J

“What kind of childhood did you have?” “Short.” Great line.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

06/10/24

Full Review

Vince D

A great escape film with a nice performance by Clint and the rest of the cast. Definitely worth watching and it does make you want to visit the prison.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/24/24

Full Review

Dave C

It's really beige, and although Clint's steely demeanour usually works wonders, in this setting it just exaggerates the woody script, the jerky directing, and the slow pace. There is no tension or suspense, you don't feel any sense of excitement for, nor attachment to, any of the characters, and so it becomes an instantly forgettable old movie that really doesn't stand up to its cult status

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

Full Review

Michael W

This classic prison movie was really good. Clint Eastwood, Fred Ward, Larry Hankin, Jack Thibeau, Patrick McGoohan, Frank Ronzio, and the rest of the cast did a fantastic job in this movie. This true story about the three prisoners that escaped from the prison of Alcatraz in 1960 was dramatic, tense, and interesting. It was a well thought out plan and many wonder what happened to them even today. If you haven't seen this movie yet, check it out sometime. It's a definite must see.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/06/24

Full Review

Tim H

Love the prison break movie

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/16/24

Full Review

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Don Siegel

Director

Clint Eastwood

Frank Morris

Patrick McGoohan

Warden

Jack Thibeau

Clarence Anglin

Roberts Blossom

Doc

Fred Ward

John Anglin

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Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Welding in a Prison Cell

2:46

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Stopping a Prison Shanking

2:21

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Escaping Prison on a Homemade Raft

2:18

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Some Men Are Destined Never To Leave Alcatraz... Alive

1:17

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Prison Shower Beatdown

1:42

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - The Papier Mache Head Suspenseful Scene

2:40

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Doc Hacks Off His Fingers Violent Scene

3:00

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Discovering the Escape Ending Scene

3:00

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Cutting Prison Bars Tense Scene

2:44

Escape From Alcatraz: Official Clip - Morris vs. Wolf Prison Yard Fight

1:38

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Escape From Alcatraz: Trailer 1

2:01

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Synopsis

Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood), a hardened con with a history of prison breaks, is sent to serve the rest of his life sentence at Alcatraz -- America's most infamously brutal and inescapable maximum security prison. Morris quickly realizes the prison's dehumanizing effects and clashes with its cruel warden (Patrick McGoohan). Fed up with life at Alcatraz, Morris and two convict brothers (Fred Ward, Jack Thibeau) meticulously plan the unthinkable: an escape from the island.

Director: Don Siegel
Producer: Don Siegel
Screenwriter: Richard Tuggle
Production Co: Paramount, Paramount Pictures International
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Drama, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 47m

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