Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Quiet, tense prison-break drama has violence, swearing.
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Why Age 13+?
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Escape from Alcatraz
What's the Story?
Based on the true story of three convicts who made a grand ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ in the early 1960s, the film follows newly transferred inmate Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) as he navigates the prison's brutal conditions made worse by the abuse of Warden Arthur Dollison (Patrick McGoohan). Morris befriends fellow inmates the Anglin brothers, Clarence (Jack Thibeau) and John (Fred Ward), and together they begin plotting a way out. Suspense builds as the trio attempt their escape, slipping through the tunnels they've dug into the dark waters of San Francisco Bay.
Is It Any Good?
This drama/thriller is a low-key but suspenseful prison escape story. In Escape from Alcatraz, the almost eerie quiet is established right from the start, with an extended opening sequence showing Morris' ferry ride to the island and intake process with only three or four terse spoken lines. That quiet eventually escalates the tension of watching the escape plans come to fruition to an almost unbearable level, but it also effectively underscores the isolation and desperation that would drive someone to try such a dangerous escape.
No one does quiet but tough like Eastwood, and fans will enjoy this mid-career performance. In addition, people who are curious about the history of Alcatraz might be able to find a lot of food for thought in this retelling of true events. But even teens who can handle the movie's brief nudity, gore, and strong language may find that Escape from Alcatraz's slow pace and quiet tone don't hold their interest.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Escape from Alcatraz is based on a true story. Did you know much about Alcatraz and the prison break before you saw this movie? Did anything in the movie surprise you?
What do you think of the film's depiction of Morris and English's relationship? Has that depiction aged well? Why, or why not?
What do you think of the warden's treatment of the inmates? How do you think inmates should be treated?
Movie Details
- In theaters : June 22, 1979
- On DVD or streaming : April 25, 2017
- Cast : Clint Eastwood , Patrick McGoohan
- Director : Don Siegel
- Studios : Paramount Pictures , Malp
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : History
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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