Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
One of the seventies most potent film making duo's, director Don Siegel and star Clint Eastwood, come together for a final time in this tough and compelling account of the only successful escape from San Francisco's notorious island prison.
Despite me seeing this countless times over the years it has me enthralled each and every time. Siegel's direction is top notch with a surgeons attention to detail and Eastwood is perfect for the role of successful escapee Frank Morris. Patrick McGoohan has a scene stealing realistic - rather than the usual ultra sadistic or corrupt - support turn as the prison warden too, but it's not just the stars who make this so memorable.
The film's secondary characters are fully rounded and brilliantly realised. From the super cool 'English' (Paul Benjamin) to the tragic 'Doc' (Roberts Blossom) - who's hatchet to the fingers scene has haunted me since childhood.
I think this is one of the best movies of the 70's and the best prison movie to date. A gripper from first to last!
When you think of all the dross that has had a boutique release it's a crying shame that films such as this only have bare bones studio releases in HD. Still at least it's a nice transfer from Paramount.
|