Rating: 
Summary: SLOW
Review: I'm honestly at a loss for why this movie is getting such good reviews. The only reason I liked it is because I am facinated by Alcatraz. The movie doesn't get you involved with the characters and the plotline is weak. I can't really recommend this but it wasn't horrible.
Rating: 
Summary: Movie would've been better if it was made in 1969 than 1979
Review: In the late 60's Hollywood still had a way of making movies (tht was lost just a few years later) with thick story. That's what this mostly true story needed----more story. The poster who said we learn so little about Frank Morriss was dead on the money. We do learn next to nothing about him. It's wrong the way the film varies focuses so much on other prisoners so much. I wonder if this film may have benefitted greatly from a narration. I have learned there are a couple of anachronisms in this movie as well (check nitpickers.com and or slipups.com for them). Lastly, the warden. Patrick McGoohan has come under some fire for allegedly being at least bi-sexual in real life. It doesn't do wonders for this movie with the warden to be portrayed by such a questionable individual as homosexuality is a big factor in prisons. If McGoohan is a bi-sexual it means some gay characteristics filter over into his portrayal. Besides he's playing a real-life fellow. Was the real Alcatraz warden this bi-sexual in attitude?
Rating: 
Summary: Movie man's review
Review: It was a great movie. i think it was worth getting. Because its just that good.
Rating:
Summary: The Spermacell Which Gave Birth to 'Shawshank Redemption'
Review: Ive you've ever listened to people interviewed about the movie that were either former wardens or correctional officers at Alcatraz, you'll hear that each and every one describes the movie's reality grasp of the notorious 1962 prison break a dead-on hit. In 1979, there were no special effects to be provided to movies and upon release the movie was mildly looked at as another Charles Bronson 'vigilante' takeoff or something like that. But a young Clint Eastwood gives us all a spectacular presentation of a Frank Morris we may think we know...but actually dont. Eastwood's sly tricks, showdown voice and optional tough-guy exterior lend themselves perfectly to the character of Frank Morris...the (alleged) brains behind the escape. The Anglin brothers featuring Fred Ward (who'd later shake us to our knees in 'Tremors') assist Morris in his ingenious and timely escape plan that proves impossible in today's prison system...where the only escape possible (except for Texas) is blending in with those who ARE allowed to be outside the walls. 'The Shawshank Redemption' in 1994 felt so familiar to all of us...and then we realize. The basic events and storyline, no matter how different the director tried to make it, are the same as those of 'Escape From Alcatraz'. With toung in cheek, 'The Shawshank Redemption' was an attempt to create a brand new story that was original in every way. However, the only reason you would watch it is for the tremendous acting, fantastic cast and excellent 'icing-like' story that covers up the basic 'Escape From Alcatraz' cake. It is in fact a terrific movie, but with no arguement that 1979's blockbuster Eastwood flick layed the ground and paved the way for modern actors to represent the story in their own way. 'Escape From Alcatraz' is an enticing movie, with very little dialogue and absolutely no down time. In other words you'll get to experience the time frame needed to make the escape and see the detailed plan itself...without any "John!, Marsha!" soap opera type nonsense. Paul Benjamin plays an incredible part as the middle-aged black man who has already devoted 10 years of his life as an Alcatraz inmate. His speech on the steps of the prison yard and his overall character are a great gift to the near end of his career..Id have to say its one of the best performances Ive ever seen in a movie and ceratinly a solid plus for 'Escape From Alcatraz'. Thanks for putting this movie on DVD!, and if you liked 'The Shawshank Redemption' you're gonna love the untaylored real life account of the three criminals who made history. If only the song 'Whos' Got the Last Laugh Now' was written today...it would have to include the escape from an 'escape-proof' prison.
Rating:
Summary: AWSOME
Review: Loved it to pieces; one of my ultimate fave movies ! Only reason it didn't get 5 stars from me is that it has no bonus features or documentary stuff..but oh well. BUY IT NOW !
Rating: 
Summary: Amazon reviewers agree -- a great film.
Review: Seldom do Amazon.com reviewers agree on ratings for films they watch, but for this one, the vote is in and it is unanimous. Escape from Alcatraz is a winner.Director Don Siegel is pitch perfect from beginning to end. Many reviewers who have been to Alcatraz comment on the realism of this film. Siegel gives us an inside look at what it might have been like to be imprisoned on "the rock." From the black hole of solitary confinement to the painfully small individual cells of the prisoners, Alcatraz was a nasty place meant for only the nastiest criminals. One of these prisoners is Frank Morris, expertly played by Clint Eastwood, who is transferred to Alcatraz, gets into a fight with an inmate who wants to make him his "punk," and spends time in the black hole. When he gets out of solitary, Morris begins to plan his escape. Several reviewers comment on the fact that Hollywood does not get these facts straight, but I didn't much care. I was pulled very quickly into Morris's plans and then the actual mechanics of the breakout, which were genuinely interesting and toward the end, had me sitting at the edge of my chair as I waited with suspense to see how the story would end. The escape is obviously central to the entire plot, but the life of prisoners at Alcatraz is also dramatized expertly by Don Siegel. The warden, Patrick McGoohan, is aloof and professional, but he has a mean streak, which makes life harder than it needs to be on the rock. Frank Morris is smart enough not to get mad, but to get even, and this he does with three other inmates who assist him in the breakout. The warden and his guards are constanly on the alert for any suspicious behavior and we hold our breath from time to time as the escape plan is almost detected. At last the time comes and we go step by step with Morris and two of his crew as they head for the icy waters surrounding Alcatraz. The fourth member of the crew hesitated and was left behind. This appears to follow the real-life events as mentioned by other reviewers. Did Morris and his buddies successfully navigate the treacherous waters surrounding Alcatraz? I'll leave that question unanswered. Viewers can decide for themselves. What is certain, at least to the reviewers of Amazon.com, is that Escape from Alcatraz is a well-made, highly suspenseful film from beginning to end, and it is one of Clint Eastwood's best roles -- that's saying something. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: COCKROACH STORY
Review: Since MADIGAN and ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ, two movies directed by Donald Siegel, have been presented these last months in the DVD standard, it would be a good occasion to rediscover this director who gave us such masterpieces as INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS and THE KILLERS. The plot of ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ isn't the most original story on the subject but contains a certain number of interesting ideas. Firstly, Richard Tuggle, the screenwriter, and Donald Siegel have chosen to compare Alcatraz to a zoo and the prisoners to animals trying to escape from their cages. The leader of the coloured prisoners compares himself to the king of the apes and the only newspapers permitted in Alcatraz are of the wildlife documentary kind. So you will be amazed by the number of animals a prison like Alcatraz can hide in his walls : mouses, cockroaches, rats and birds. They're all here, in front of Siegel's camera, to make us understand the condition of the prisoners. OK, it's a little bit heavy, symbolically speaking, but unusual in this kind of movie. Since the prisoners are constantly observed, the only way to escape from this prison is to be present and away in the same time. How ? by imitating the reality with walls in paper patiently built during the night or by putting mannequins under their blankets. Another way to escape from Alcatraz is to become mad . Believe me or not, It's not Clint's choice. As bonus features, you will only have a scene access (thank you, thank you, thank you). Sound, surprisingly, is not as good as images. A DVD for the beast in you.
Rating:
Summary: OK, good Clint, but slow
Review: Slow-moving prison film with Eastwood as Frank Morris, a convict transferred to the hellish Alcatraz from an Atlanta prison. Morris, after standing up to the local prison rapist-to-be, starts to look for a way out. No one had ever escaped alive from Alcatraz, but he and several cohorts try to foil the warden and authorities. The movie is by-the-numbers and plods along, but the authentic locations and Eastwood's force of a personality lift it a little bit.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie.
Review: Summary:
Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) is transferred to Alcatraz after having escaped from another, in what is made out to be, a long series of prisons. He makes friends with some of the other inmates (Doc-Roberts Blossom; English-Paul Benjamin; Charley Butts-Larry Hankin; Litmus-Frank Ronzio) and has some friends from a previous prison join him (Clarence Anglin-Jack Thibeau; John Anglin-Fred Ward). He also has to deal with an inmate that is out to get him (Wolf-Bruce M. Fischer) and a warden that is pretty rough on the inmates (Patrick McGoohan). Together they plot their escape from Alcatraz and three of the four (Frank and the Anglin brothers get away, Charlie doesn't) in on the plan actually get away. My Comments:
The movie is pretty similar to The Shawshank Redemption in a lot of ways. But I wouldn't necessarily consider one better than the other. The only problems I had with this movie is that we never really find out much about Frank other than he is a career criminal. There is one line about his childhood, but he doesn't say much other than that it was 'short'. It would have been interesting to know more about some of the other people involved. However, this really doesn't affect the movie and should have been taken care of as special features on the DVD (it doesn't really have any). Other than that and the movie being slow in a few spots, the movie was really great. Overall, the movie is remarkably well done and very convincing. It is based on a true story and is a very enjoyable. If you liked The Shawshank Redemption, you should like this.
Rating:
Summary: For accuracy......
Review: The movie is pretty slow, but is very accurate. I rented it before heading to San Francisco on a tour of Alcatraz. Just my luck, when I arrived, the youngest guard ever to work on the island was there promoting his book. He stated that "Escape from Alcatraz" is the most accurate account out of any movie out there. "Murder in the First" is more interesting and moves faster, but that is because they change almost the whole story around. If you want an accurate account of life on Alcatraz, rent this movie.
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