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IMDb > Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Escape from Alcatraz
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Escape from Alcatraz (1979) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
7.6/10   20,663 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 14% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
J. Campbell Bruce (book)
Richard Tuggle (screenplay)
Contact:
View company contact information for Escape from Alcatraz on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
22 June 1979 (USA) more
Genre:
Tagline:
No one has ever escaped from Alcatraz... And no one ever will!
Plot:
A dramatization of the one possibly successful escape from the notorious prison. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
NewsDesk:
(8 articles)
"Sequel" To "Escape From Alcatraz" Being Pitched
 (From CinemaRetro. 21 October 2009, 7:12 PM, PDT)

First Look: MythBusters Fall Premiere
 (From Screen Rant. 6 October 2009, 3:23 AM, PDT)

User Reviews:
Drama not action make great movies!! more (99 total)

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Clint Eastwood ... Frank Morris

Patrick McGoohan ... Warden
Roberts Blossom ... Doc
Jack Thibeau ... Clarence Anglin

Fred Ward ... John Anglin
Paul Benjamin ... English

Larry Hankin ... Charley Butts
Bruce M. Fischer ... Wolf

Frank Ronzio ... Litmus
Fred Stuthman ... Johnson
David Cryer ... Wagner
Madison Arnold ... Zimmerman
Blair Burrows ... Fight Guard
Bob Balhatchet ... Medical Technical Assistant
Matthew Locricchio ... Exam Guard (as Matthew J. Locricchio)
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Additional Details

Runtime:
112 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
The television show, "MythBusters" (2003) proved that this escape worked (or was at least plausible). They recreated the entire escape right down to using the same materials to which the cons had access. They even used the same type of raincoats from which the boat was made. They successfully crossed the bay and reached the shore in exactly the spot that the cons were supposed to have reached. more
Goofs:
Anachronisms: On the boat ride over to the prison from San Francisco a radar unit can be seen spinning on top of the boat. That type of radar transponder wasn't developed until the mid 1970s. According to the information on screen, this took place in 1960. more
Quotes:
Litmus: I'm Litmus. Like Litmus paper. When it gets cold, my face gets blue. And when it's hot, my face gets red. more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in The Making of 'Tremors' (1998) (V) more
Soundtrack:
D Block Blues more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
28 out of 37 people found the following review useful.
Drama not action make great movies!!, 25 June 2005
9/10
Author: Michael H from Coastal Maine

And Escape from Alcatraz is a great movie. Based on a true story, it's one of those rare films that doesn't contain endless mindless fight scenes, overt homo eroticism, impossible action scenes, cartoon like special effects that film makers seem to be overly obsessed about these days. Somebody on the board asked if they should do a re-make of the film. NO!!!! Escape from Alcatraz is excellent as it is. The film is all suspense and great acting. The prison scenes realistic. I'd been to Alcatraz before (as a tourist) and a lot of it is in ruins but the film makes it look like the prison is still intact.

I know some people may find the film dull, well that's fine. Go elsewhere and watch your cartoon action films. I'll stick with cool films like Escape from Alcatraz.

Was the above review useful to you?
more (99 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
Welding in his cell vincentpatrick23
Danny Glover Lord_Heath
Frank Morris' family joeandgen
JUST FOUND DANNY GLOVER D_sanch3z
Reasons I don't think the escape was possible gfnoyes
Quiest and Peaceful Prison bing-10
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