Don Siegel's "Escape from Alcatraz" is a small gem of a film, one that avoids most of the cliches of prison flicks by concentrating on the central character's struggle to break through the boundaries imposed on him. Clint Eastwood gives one of his most skillful performances as Frank Morris, a soft spoken, solitary prisoner who normally appears relaxed and docile, but can become deadly- and surprisingly resourceful- when backed into a corner. Eastwood is an actor who knows how to use silence very effectively, and we learn a lot about his character from simply watching his gestures and expressions.
Patrick McGoohan provides fine support as the warden, whose cold, subtley harsh attitude towards the inmates only seems to encourage Morris to rebel against the authorities. Roberts Blossom also makes a strong impression with his role as a man who manages to find art and beauty in his confines, only to have it stripped away.
Siegel takes an approach to the material that almost seems minimalist, focusing on how Morris calculates every move and ignoring the urge to speed up the action. The pace is deliberately calm, with slow camera movements and a soft score by Jerry Fielding that rarely rises above a whisper. Although this angle somewhat limits the dramatic power, it provides us with a unique, convincingly told story.
Patrick McGoohan provides fine support as the warden, whose cold, subtley harsh attitude towards the inmates only seems to encourage Morris to rebel against the authorities. Roberts Blossom also makes a strong impression with his role as a man who manages to find art and beauty in his confines, only to have it stripped away.
Siegel takes an approach to the material that almost seems minimalist, focusing on how Morris calculates every move and ignoring the urge to speed up the action. The pace is deliberately calm, with slow camera movements and a soft score by Jerry Fielding that rarely rises above a whisper. Although this angle somewhat limits the dramatic power, it provides us with a unique, convincingly told story.