Cooktopi
The acting in this movie is really good.
Zandra
The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.
edwagreen
Alcatraz with its boast then no one ever escaped from it forms the basis of the true story of the men who did. Even though the ending is not satisfying, we have a true gritty film with Clint Eastwood leading a plan with others to get away.Naturally, we have the hard-nosed warden played with precision by Patrick McGoohan. His insensitivity and cruelty alone shall drive you to root for the potential escapees.How they plan their get-away is a story within itself even as the warden becomes increasingly suspicious. They just jump the gun and while their fate is unknown until this very day, we may actually applaud their efforts.
mark.waltz
Nothing is achieved without risk, and in the case of Alcatraz prisoner Clint Eastwood, what he wants to achieve is escape. How, he doesn't know, and the date of success is against him as it is said that no prisoner has ever successfully escaped from Alcatraz. What he's in for is of no consequence. All we really know is that he came from a prison near Atlanta. Eastwood makes more friends than enemies, getting rid of a determined rapist longing to make Clint his newest "punk". Eastwood keeps his humanitarianism in spite of the situation, even crossing race lines as he finds true friendship is the cultured Paul Benjamin.Then, there's the older prisoners, one who sends messages with the help of a pet mouse, another an artist whose privileges are taken away and takes drastic steps as a result of this loss. Several other prisoners show their vulnerabilities and fears, but also manage to keep their dignity as well. The warden seems calm and cultured, but an obvious lust for power has turned him into a well dressed rat. Then, there's the escape plot, well thought out and often suspensefully played. This is intriguing, because it's easy to find yourself rooting for Eastwood and those who decide to tag along. Director Don Siegel has wisely kept this a simple drama of the desire to survive a horrid situation, although I question what success would mean for them if they successfully made it off the island. The acting is pretty quiet and plot driven more than dialog driven, while little moments shine over some of the bigger plot twists. The film doesn't quite but perfection simply because too questions are left unanswered.
ICanNeverThinkOfAGoodUsername
At the end of the film I thought 'is that it?' I couldn't believe I'd sat through the entire film to find out that was the ending.I understand that the film was based on a true story however with it being a film I expected some sort of drama and climax. The first 1 hour of the film was a complete waste of time - I found myself falling asleep and that never happens when I watch a film! You barely find out anything about the characters... Therefore, I felt no real connection to anyone I didn't really care whether they left or not.Nothing dramatic happened in the film and the thing just went from one scene to another with very little happening. Just when you thought they'd be a climax - there wasn't.
Anssi Vartiainen
Once again a movie starring Clint Eastwood that wouldn't work half as well if it wasn't for him. The man has the phenomenal ability to put so much presence into every scene he is in that even a slow-paced film such as this seems interesting to follow just because he's such a good actor.And make no mistake, this is a slow film. Years can pass unnoticed when you're sitting behind bars and the way this film is shot reflects that. Of course the escape plan and how Eastwood's Frank Morris goes about trying to accomplish it fills most of the screen time, but you never really feel bored by any of it. No single scene is tremendously interesting, but they're all interesting enough to form a whole that's greater than the sum of their parts.All the actors are also talented enough so that the dialogues manage to keep your attention. The setting and the use of lighting also has that old-time charm where it at the same time looks both unrealistic and familiar.As a whole I'd say that this is a good film. It's like that soothing melody that you cannot quite recall a few days later, but which you can listen for hours at a time. See it, if you haven't already.
