Escape from Alcatraz (1979) (Blu-ray) Available for Preorder (1 Viewer)

 

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This one is very subdued with its concentration on the quiet scenes of digging out of the cells and rooftop escape, but still manages to build tension. I like Clint's character in this one, and how he goes about earning the respect of the other inmates. With the recent developments about the Anglin Brothers likely successful escape, it was good timing to pick this one up. The darker scenes have a lot of noise, but otherwise it looks like a 1970's film. Good job on the mono remix to 5.1.

The fifth and final collaboration between Don Siegel and Clint Eastwood is a sturdy prison drama about the infamous title event in 1962. The film unfolds slowly at first, and Richard Tuggles' script invokes all the usual prison film signposts. But, once the movie moves on to the planning and execution of the prison break, things tighten up considerably.

Siegel focuses on the details of the inmates escape plan with his usual unfussy, but, precise direction*. Clint and the cast which includes Patrick Mcgoohan as the placidly oily warden, Paul Benjamin as a sympathetic fellow inmate and a very young Fred Ward as one of the escapees, all ably follow Siegel's matter of fact presentation. Bruce Surtees' cinematography is standout, brilliantly capturing all of the action.


It was appropriate that ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ turned out to be Siegel's last major success, for his first was also a Prison picture - the marvelous RIOT IN CELL BLOCK 11. For his entire career, Siegel exhibited an admirable craftsmanship that is on full display here. No wonder Clint cites him as his mentor.


* If one wants to see an even more minutely detailed prison escape picture check out the superior Jacques Becker's LE TROU (1960).