Escape from Alcatraz [Region 2] | ![Escape from Alcatraz [Region 2]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51AGQWM73TL._SL500_.jpg)
| Director: Don Siegel
Actors: Clint Eastwood, Patrick Mcgoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau, Fred Ward
Category: DVD
This item is no longer available
Rating:  68 reviews
Format: Anamorphic, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: French (Original Language), English (Original Language), Spanish (Original Language), Italian (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Portuguese (Subtitled), Croatian (Subtitled), Greek (Subtitled)
Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Region: 2
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Running Time: 112 Minutes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
EAN: 3333973120039
ASIN: B00005B108
Theatrical Release Date: June 22, 1979
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Amazon.com essential video
One of Clint Eastwood's two most important filmmaking mentors was Don Siegel (the other was Sergio Leone), who directed Eastwood in Dirty Harry, Coogan's Bluff, Two Mules for Sister Sara, and this enigmatic, 1979 drama based on a true story about an escape from the island prison of Alcatraz. Eastwood plays a new convict who enters into a kind of mind game with the chilly warden (Patrick McGoohan) and organizes a break leading into the treacherous waters off San Francisco. As jailbird movies go, this isn't just a grotty, unpleasant experience but a character-driven work with some haunting twists. --Tom Keogh
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| Customer Reviews: Read 63 more reviews...
 "One of Clint Eastwood's Best! June 3, 2009
Terry Richard (Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada)
My two favorite Clint Eastwood movies are "Play Misty For Me" and "Escape From Alcatraz". This DVD is pretty much a bare-bones release, but the film comes in widescreen format and there are chapter selections. Hopefully Paramount will release a special edition disc soon with anecdotes and info on the film.
Although the movie was released way back in 1979 the film still holds up today. It's mainly about a prisoner, played superbly by Eastwood, who attempts to escape prison with two other inmates. The movie documents their attempts in leaving one of the most well-secured prisons in the U.S., Alcatraz, located in San Francisco Bay. Roberts Blossom, who once played one of the most evil characters in soaps (Sven in "Another World"), also has a supporting role as a prisoner who befriends the Eastwood character.
If you like a good film or a good prison movie "Escape From Alcatraz" is it! Other well-made prison dramas include "Midnight Express", "The Shawshank Redemption", and "The Green Mile".
 Film is good, but the books are better June 1, 2009
Stanley M. Gilbert (Austin, Texas United States)
Apparently most of the reviewers have only seen the movie. If you're familiar with the books on the subject: "Escape from Alcatraz" by John Campbell Bruce, and "Breaking the Rock" by Jolene Babyak, who actually lived there, you'll find that the real story is way more intriguing than the film could ever be. So much of the film tries to unnecessarily sensationalize events or characters, like the the black inmate English, and his relationship to Morris never existed, nor could it have in 1960-62 prison life. One of the reasons these guys wound up in Alcatraz was because of their extreme racial animosity. The efforts of the (four) prisoners to get out was more intense, involved, time consuming, and dangerous than the film makes out.
Do yourself a favor and hit a library near you for the "real meat".
 Pretty Darn Good Prison Flick June 1, 2009
D. Mikels (Skunk Holler)
Prison movies have a tendency to dissolve into contrived stereotypes, so watching ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ is soothing relief. Outside of the typical sadistic warden (yet Patrick McGoohan makes a most interesting and believable villain), this film concentrates more on the logistics of breaking out of "The Rock"--the formidable federal prison Alcatraz, isolated on its own island in the icy waters of San Francisco Bay. Based on a true story, Clint Eastwood plays calm, level-headed Frank Morris, a prisoner on a mission to be the first to escape.
While conditions inside the prison are stark, brutal, and harsh (yet name me one maximum security prison where they're not), this movie doesn't reach its stride until Morris makes up his mind to escape, comes up with an ingenious plan, then patiently implements it. Assisted primarily by two brothers (look for a young Fred Ward), the machinations as the prisoners chisel away at their air vents, smuggle tools into their cells, utilize plaster of paris (as well as making it in their tiny sinks), are fascinating viewing. There are setbacks to be sure, along with plenty of almost-getting-discovered suspense, but as ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ concludes you'll be cheering the escapees on.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning
Great Clint Flick May 11, 2009
William Perry (Prescott, WI)
Clint plays it cool in this movie and having been to Alcatraz a few times, it really hits home as to how these guys could have escaped the Rock.
Frank Morris against the Warden May 4, 2009
JESSE R. MC Glown (Enterprise, AL)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I won't elaborate on points so well covered by many reviewers here, but...did anyone else notice that The Warden is never named in this movie? The actual warden in charge at the time of the escape was Madigan, who wasn't deliberately cruel as depicted in this version. I doubt it was a coincidence that the warden remains unnamed...identifying him as a person would've begun to assign some vestige of humanity to the character ( from reading the actual book which this movie was based on, I believe the warden in the movie was a composite of wardens Blackwell, Johnston and Madigan ). Conversely, very little is shown regarding Morris's actual crime(s), beyond a very brief glimpse of his folder, with the word "larceny" visible. I suppose the intent was to build camaraderie and support throughout the movie ( might have been more difficult to garner sympathy for Morris had it been revealed that he was a sociopath, or chronic child abuser! ).
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