Escape from Alcatraz (1979) First Time Watching! Movie Reaction!
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
Wolf wanted to get friendly. I didn't.
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This video is for commentary and criticism only and is not a replacement for watching Escape from Alcatraz
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Finally someone has reacted to this movie, I haven't seen anybody else react to it, it's been one of my favorites for years now. Just a classic!
Me too. Stoked baby
I feel old I saw this in the theater in 1979. It's been one of my favorites since then.
@@LilannBMe too brother! Lol
We all love Clint Eastwood. The greatest Hollywood movie Icon of all time. Classic film!
@@LilannBsaw it at the drive-in in ‘79. My memory is that is was filmed practically without any light!
If you haven't seen it, you all would like the movie Papillon (1973) with Dustin Hoffman and Steve McQueen.
Second that.
I third that
Fourth
Fifth
Yes! And don't go near the remake. Another one is "The Taking of pelham 1-2-3" Original also
The warden, Patrick McGoohan, is ironically best known as the titular character in "The Prisoner" a show entirely about escaping an inescapable prison.
You wondered why Alcatraz was shut down. It was because it cost just over 3 time as much to operate than other prisons.
Everything and everyone had to be brought in and out by boat. Obviously the place needed a major overhaul if people could chip away the concrete like it was limestone.
Right, Alcatraz was very expensive to operate and very expensive to maintain. It’s still expensive to maintain just at a level where the National Park Service can allow visits and tours. The nearest equivalent to Alcatraz in the U.S. now is ADX Florence in Colorado. The “Alcatraz of the Rockies” is where the most dangerous prisoners and those who repeatedly committed crimes while in other prisons end up. It’s much cheaper to operate and maintain than Alcatraz was, and its design and operation are very different from Alcatraz. In many respects it is more severe and dehumanizing than Alcatraz ever was. There is a good deal of controversy over whether a place like ADX Florence should exist. I won’t try to answer that question here, but I do think that every American should at least know what the conditions are like for prisoners in our most severe prison.
Wrong! Watch Murder in the First with Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon and you will get your answer!!!!
@@Bobbychristopher Was thinking about that movie while watching this - couldn't remember the title, though... I think Gary Oldman played the warden...
@@BobbychristopherSo you're saying it was because of what they did to Henri Young?
The actor playing the prison warden, Patrick McGoohan played King Edward I much later in 'Braveheart'.
“The problem with Scotland is that it’s full of Scots..” I remember him being in tons of movies & TV back in this time (1970’s & early 80’s).
Also in Scanners and some Columbo episodes.
I first knew him from a summer replacement series in the late 60s, called The Prisoner. Very British, very unusual and very quotable! “I am a FREE man!” “You are number 6. I am number 2.”
And he was in several "Columbo" episodes. Always great when he was in it. Well...all Columbo episodes are great.
"I will not make any deals with you. I've resigned. I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered ! My life is my own."
Did you recognize Doc? He’s also the old man that Kevin is so scared of in Home Alone.
hah i just noticed that.
Also, I believe the actor playing Charlie Butts is also in Home Alone as one of the cops that Kevin's mother keeps getting transferred back to on the phone.
I knew I knew him but not from that movie. Thanks!
Doc was also the old guy who sold "Christine" to Arnie 🚗
@@johndavidhenderson3640 "She'll start."🚗
This was one of me and my mom's favorite movie's. Clint Eastwood was my mom's favorite actor along with Jimmy Stewart. R.I.P mom.
Clint's hard to beat. Best western actor I can think of.
Heartbreak Ridge is a fantastic Clint Eastwood movie to see! A big favorite of US Marines! OORAH!!!!
Heartbreak ridge is clints best movie
@@chrissuperstargaming my brother was a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps stationed aboard Camp Pendleton back in 1985. He was a trumpet player in the Marine Corps. band. In fact, you can see a great profile of him. At the end, he's in the marching band that welcomes Highway and the guys home. He's the trumpet player with the giant Marine Corps class ring on. Many think it was shot on Camp Lejuene, NC. The movie was shot at Camp Pendleton on the west coast.
@@SPEEDPAINTER1that's awesome the next time I watch heartbreak ridge I will definitely keep a eye out for your bro
@@chrissuperstargaming He did 15 years in Marines, left the Corps. to sell cars. He got bored, but was too old to go back to the Corps. So he went into the Air Force at same rank and pay. He retired from the Air Force as an Intelligence Officer. Now he works for Northrop. But he still has serious pride about being in Heartbreak Ridge. He had great stories hanging around Clint Eastwood that day on the set.
@@SPEEDPAINTER1 I think if I was your brother I would be telling everyone I about hanging out with Clint Eastwood lol
In the Line of Fire, The Mule, Blood Work, Absolute Power. I also enjoyed: Trouble with the Curve. Million Dollar Baby was a big hit. oh and... Where Eagles Dare. :)
What's amazing is the true story is many more guys than even these shown in the movie helped them during the planning of this escape. One ex inmate there said planning an escape even if it's not for themselves was not only a duty, it was a feeling of accomplishment and something to do and a way to stick it to the guards and prison. They all wanted it to happen.
That’s uplifting.
@@BarryHart-xo1oy lol to them it was. Better than laundry and bathroom duty.
Great movie, based on a true story about the daring escape from the prison island in 1962.
No shit. 😂
Working the graveyard in a military prison in Germany, the quiet, and the sound of you walking the corridor, that's the sounds this movie brings back
Military prisons are quiet but non military prisons are the opposite!
Another really good movie about Alcatraz is called The Birdman from Alcatraz starring Burt Lancaster.
Brilliant movieGreat story
@6:10 Mythbusters did an episode testing the viability of the escape plan that was used in this movie. Every part of the plan that could be tested, was. It was declared “plausible”.
Except Morris said they are going for Angel Island, but mythbusters came to conclusion that Morris had the IQ and time to study the currents of the bay and only viable option was to head towards Marine Headlands (towards the base of the Golden gate bridge). Morris probably said it on purpose so that if anyone left in the prison was interrogated, they would search from the wrong place, which was a success.
I love these guys they get more like each other everytime I watch them they are so in sync such a nice couple ❤
It’s cool knowing that the movie was filmed on the real Alcatraz prison island
Not on the actual studio set
Danny Glover appears in his film acting debut, as one of the prison inmates. He is the inmate that Frank Morris (Clint Eastwood) first encounters when delivering books.
Also appearing as an inmate is actor Carl Lumbly, and of course Paul Benjamin as English.
But where is he ?
@@lexkanyima2195 10:49
Dimes were made of 90% silver until 1964 when they switched to a copper-nickel alloy.
You can still find them in change, every once in awhile.
I've had more luck finding silver quarters, than silver dimes, matter of fact I don't think I've ever found a silver dime.
@@chongsfury4358 I always check. Even though I haven't found one in many years, I did once find a French 50 centimes from the 1910s. Same size and metal composition as a US dime.
@@chongsfury4358I think the larger size of quarters prevents them from wearing down as quickly keeping them in circulation longer.
Good to know.
Growing up, escape from alcatraz used to be shown on tv every year in the UK. Someone at our various terrestrial tv stations obviously loved the movie and just like you could guarantee that die hard and home alone would be shown at some point during the year (typically Christmas), you could guarantee that escape from alcatraz would be shown at some point too. An instant classic with a typically stoic Clint Eastwood performance. Great movie 👍
Probably Patrick McGoohan's part in it had something to do with it.
Other favorite prison movies.Papillon(1973), Midnight express(1978) and blood in blood out (1993)oh and Brubaker(1980)
English was played by Paul Benjamin, who was in "Midnight Cowboy", "Across 110th Street", "The Anderson Tapes" and "Do The Right Thing". Larry Hankin, who played Charlie Butts, was also in Planes, Trains and Automobiles.
“An Innocent Man” w/ Tom Selleck is a great prison film! Also, “Runaway Train” w/ Jon Voight. 💯🔥🤙🏽😎
Anytime I hold a hair dryer I think of An Innocent Man.
Runaway Train was a *great* movie with an impressive pedigree, and some amazing performances (Jon Voight won the Golden Globe that year). I hope it gets rediscovered.
I love this film! It's addictive. Ice watched it many times over the years and I never tire of it! Great reactions! You've got to react to Million Dollar Baby soon,also Thunderbolt & Lightfoot and The Eiger Sanction! All great films!
Don Siegel really is a director that should be talked about more, he did some great movies like this one, Dirty Harry, The Beguiled, Charley Varrick and John Waynes last movie The Shootist.
Escape from Alcatraz was the final collaboration between Clint Eastwood and director Don Siegel, who had previously worked together on Coogan's Bluff, Two Mules for Sister Sara, The Beguiled, and their most famous collaboration, the first Dirty Harry movie. Siegel first gained notoriety for having directed the sci-fi horror classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers in 1956, while Eastwood's first screen appearances were the 1955 horror films Tarantula! and Revenge of the Creature, the sequel to Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Love this thanks 🤝
@@brianmcgarry1632 You're welcome.
Pale Rider (1985), produced, directed, and starring Clint Eastwood, was the highest grossing western of the 1980s.
A Perfect World, Heartbreak Ridge, The Rookie are a few of the ones I liked growing up.
There's also another story of : The Birdman Of Alcatraz
An immensely rewatchable film. Great reaction.
Clint Eastwood : Pale Rider - Firefox - High Plains Drifter - Every Which Way But Loose - Tightrope - Spacecowboys - Hang Em High - Thunderbolt And Lightfoot . Just a few of many more 👍
This one’s in my top ten any genre movies all time it’s low key but it’s so easy to get wrapped up in it so glad you guys are checking it out!
I always loved this movie, and later a relative of mine who is in the film business pointed out that the entire prison escape is covered in like 10 shots. It is what they call a "tight" movie. So simple yet suspenseful.
This movie is such a classic. In the 90s I never heard of the film. It was on tv and decided to watch it. This movie is so good
Another great classic Eastwood and great reaction. (Where Eagles Dare, The Eiger Sanction, Firefox, Tightrope, In The Line of Fire and Absolute Power).
Patrick Mcgoohan is the governor in this , he played THE prisoner in the British 'The Prisoner' TV show 10 years beforehand.
Dimes were still silver in 1962 when this escape took place.
All Coins were still made from Silver until '64, and pennies were actually made of Copper until 1982.
@@GriggsC123 not nickels
@@jamesrobertson2361 Between 42 and 45
Notice how many scenes in Shawshank mirror this movie. Quite interesting... 🤔
Tonally, very different movies though.... EFA has that comfy laid back 70's vibe.
hell yeah i’ve been saying that for years 😂
@@ryanjacobson2508 Kind of has a TV movie feel almost, that was sometimes the case with Siegel movies.
The warden was played by Patrick McGoohan and he starred in a 1967 UK TV series called "The Prisoner" that I think you two will enjoy watching.
Took that tour also. Walked us through the cell blocs, with headphones that carried background audio of authentic prison sounds. Definitely an eerie vibe.
The real sleeper of a Clint Eastwood film i've watched many time is Bridges of Madison County, also starring Myrle Streep. Myrle Streep is great in this movie, and he Italian accent adds to the story. I love this movie
ya know, that movie being a chick flick, and me being a sci-fi & horror fiend, not really my cup of tea.. but that said, it really is an excellent movie, Meryl Streep is pretty amazing 👍
Patrick MacGoohan was excellent in this, went from being The Prisoner to the the warden.
Check out Clint Eastwood in The Beguiled (1971). Play Misty for Me (1972), Fire fox (1982) and Heartbreak Ridge (1986). Play Misty was the first movie Clint directed and starred in.
Director Siegel turns up in in Misty as the bartender.
I think you're the first reaction channel (that I regularly watch) to get to this movie. I think I was 1 of those many recommendations that you mentioned you received. I recommended it along with "Pale Rider" & "Outlaw Josey Wales" as 3 of the best Clint Eastwood movies. I saw this in the theatre when I was 10 years old and instantly became an Eastwood fan. Another great Eastwood film if you haven't seen it is "In the Line of Fire". John Malkovich is awesome in it. Thanks for watching this!
I saw this in 79 at a drive-in theater. I loved this movie. I think it's Eastwood's best movie. Hard to believe they escaped Alcatraz with all the noise and smells they made. And yes, Mythbusters dedicated an episode to this escape and the MADE IT to shore. Great reaction.
When you realize Shawshank is just a rip-off
I realized for the first time watching this reaction that at least two actors in this movie are also in _Home Alone._ And I've really liked both movies for years.
By the way, for those here interested *VERDY channel* has also done a reaction to this film after being contacted by the coauthor of the book, Mike Lynch.
Alcatraz Island was closed because a 1959 report indicated that the facility was over three times more expensive to run than the average American prison. The problem was made worse by the buildings' structural deterioration from exposure to salt spray, which would require $5 million to fix. Major repairs began in 1958, but by 1961 engineers considered the prison a lost cause. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy submitted plans for a new maximum-security institution at Marion, Illinois. Frank Morris' June 1962 escape from Alcatraz led to investigations which, combined with the major structural problems and expensive operation, led to its closure on March 21, 1963.
It was super glued to the wall. Butts kept complaining that his decoy wall kept falling out. So, he super glued it to the wall, then he couldn't get it open. Eventually, he kicked through it, but too late.
There’s a movie, “Murder in the First” starring Christian Slater and Kevin Bacon about the abuse Kevin Bacon’s character received at Alcatraz. According to that movie, the abuse was a big, if not only reason they closed Alcatraz. Not sure how true the story is.
60% of it is true, but most of it is dramatized or ficitonal.
Highly recommend "Point Blank" (1967). Alcatraz is featured and IMHO the film influenced some of Eastwood's work in the seventies and eighties.
POINT BLANK is an absolutely must-see film.
Butts accidentally glued the fake grate to the wall and couldn't remove it without breaking it off, the guard would have noticed it broken and blown the escape so he waited till it was too late to join the others.
Happy to see someone reacting to this movie
The old man painter was a great character actor. He was in Close encounters of the Third Kind (1977) And in Christine a horror movie based off the book by Stephen King. Directed and music by John HALLOWEEN / The Fog/ The Thing Carpenter. He almost always had a mustache and long greasy dirty hair. Like a creepy homeless man or old hippie bum type.
He was also the “scary” next-door neighbor in Home Alone.
@@Sal-gh1se Roberts Blossom. His final film was Sam Raimi's The Quick And The Dead.
I never realized it before, but Doc was played by the old man with the shovel that Kevin was scared of from Home Alone.
On March 21, 1963, USP Alcatraz closed after 29 years of operation. It did not close because of the disappearance of Morris and the Anglins (the decision to close the prison was made long before the three disappeared), but because the institution was too expensive to continue operating. An estimated $3-5 million was needed just for restoration and maintenance work to keep the prison open. That figure did not include daily operating costs - Alcatraz was nearly three times more expensive to operate than any other Federal prison (in 1959 the daily per capita cost at Alcatraz was $10.10 compared with $3.00 at USP Atlanta). The major expense was caused by the physical isolation of the island - the exact reason islands have been used as prisons throughout history. This isolation meant that everything (food, supplies, water, fuel...) had to be brought to Alcatraz by boat. For example, the island had no source of fresh water, so nearly one million gallons of water had to be barged to the island each week. The Federal Government found that it was more cost-effective to build a new institution than to keep Alcatraz open.
Kind of an interesting choice to cast Patrick Mc Goohan as a warden, when many people (especially back then) would remember him as the prisoner (from the 1960s series)
This film is spectacular, and just in general I’m astounded how a human can be in a concrete room and escape.
I believe Doc is also the old man from Home Alone
16:57, the reason why is because he's worried that Doc's paintings represented having power within the prison island and the Warden was worried that Doc might not be inferior after all, as the Warden doesn't want someone to be superior, which can be very dangerous.
First season of Prison Break is some of the best prison cinema ever.
Great series. Michael Scofield
One of my favorite Eastwood films is the WW2 film, Kelly's Heroes. Where Eagles Dare is another good WW2 adventure with Eastwood. Two Mules for Sister Sara is probably his most underrated western. You should probably watch his thriller, Play Misty for Me. I believe it was the second film he directed. It's a sold thriller with a terrific performance by Jessica Walters. If you want Clint you never thought you'd see try the musical Paint Your Wagon. Clint sings! After you're done with Clint, you should start on Burt Reynolds (Deliverance, White Lightning, Smokey and the Bandit, The Longest Yard, Hooper, The End, Sharkey's Machine, and City Heat co-starring Clint Eastwood).
I hope that "The Gauntlet" is on the Eastwood list. 👍💯
This is based on a true story, and it's a fascinating one. The movie actually kept a lot of the details of the escape true to the real events, showing the ingenuity and dedication of the escapees. The prison became a harsher place after the Battle of Alcatraz, which is also an incredible story worth looking into. Before that, the prison was highly secure, but allowed inmates some small pleasures. Afterwards, things were far more restrictive, and those conditions inspired the escape.
Glad to see this one reacted to. Another Eastwood 70's gem is "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot" (1974) also starring Jeff Bridges, directed by Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter).
Glad to see this one on your channel. It’s one of Clint’s best!
I travelled from the uk to San Fran and went to Alcatraz. Amazing experience. I actually spent couple of minutes in the hole, felt like 20 minutes. Chilling, definitely felt spirits in Alcatraz. Continuing with classic Clint, you need to watch the duology of Every Which Way But Loose 1978 and Any Which Way You Can 1980, with the famous line ‘Right Turn Clyde’
Myth busters actually restaged the escape, they made the raft from raincoats and left from Alcatraz and made it across the bay. So it was absolutely possible that Morris and the the other two escaped Alcatraz and survived.👍🏻👍🏻
This was one of my favorite movies when I was a kid (I'm old). I have been to Alcatraz Island a couple of times. Once as a tourist in the 80s and then again in the 90s I raced in the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. The swim (1.5 miles I think) starts at Alcatraz Island and goes to shore (you actually start from a ferry next to the island and not on the island itself). So the swim can be done. I've done longer swims, but this was probably the toughest I ever did. Wind was blowing that day and there were whitecaps. Very choppy. And the water was a chilly 52F. I can't imagine going in that water without a wetsuit like I had. It was freezing. 🥶
Hi guys, glad you reacted to Escape From Alcatraz. You may want to do a little research because about 10 or 15 years ago there some letters mailed to the authorities that led them to believe that the letters were from Morris or the Anglin bros.
Ah the movie that introduced me to Clint Eastwood. I have a deep appreciation for Clint Eastwood. Everytime my buddy comes to my house he tells me I should take down my framed Clint Eastwood picture. I tell him hey Thats the man right there he stays where he is
Great movie. The irony is the actor who plays the warden was in a lead role in a 69's British tv series called The Prisoner you should see it (He was also in Braveheart as the bad)
I'm glad you guys reacted to this great film. This was actually the first Clint Eastwood movie I've ever watched.A favorite for sure.
This is such a great film. I love it when you two react to films that I love! Especially when you end up enjoying them too. Now on to Roadhouse…
One of the best things is Patrick McGoohan as the warden. That Easter egg tie in to The Prisoner always makes me smile.
You are, Number Six.
Hi guys, this is one of Clint Eastwood's best movies and he's one of the GOAT'S! I'm glad you're enjoying the Clint journey through his films and yes there is a lot of him to go. Either side of this movie (in 1978 & 1980) he did 2 hilarious comedies; Every Which Way But Loose & Any Which Way You Can - in which he plays a mechanic who moonlights as a bare knuckle boxer and has a pet orangutan. I highly recommend that you react to these movies asap, i'm sure you'll enjoy them, they're awesome!
There was a 3:1 guard to inmate ratio at Alcatraz, making the escape even more impressive.
You should watch "Barry Lyndon". It has everything!
They should do a Stanley Kubrick deep dive
Loved that one. I was lucky to see a restored print on the big screen a few years ago.
Such an incredible and beautiful film. One of the few Kubrick films they haven't reacted to. "Paths of Glory" is also a bit neglected among reactors.
Yes. It's a slow-moving, three-hour experience, but it's absolutely gorgeous. Definitely worth a watch.
The great Patrick MacGoohen. when Clint Eastwood escaped MacGoohan told him "Be seeing you"
Here is a few interesting things…. Warden is Longshanks from Braveheart…. Doc was the old man neighbor in Home Alone…. Butts is the upstairs neighbor Mr. Heckles in Friends..
Picture Doc with white hair and beard.... that's the same actor that played the creepy, but kindly neighbor to Kevin in Home Alone.
Woooooo! One of Clints more forgotten movies that is a banger.
I just recognized the warden. He plays the king in “Braveheart”
Great to see someone finally react to this movie, it's always been a favorite of mine.
They had spent weeks stashing gear, equipment, in the upper halls...they had all they needed to make a clean escape.
You guys have to watch Play Misty for Me! Same director as Escape from Alcatraz and Dirty Harry all starring Clint Eastwood.
Cool reaction as always Schmitt & Samantha, you both take care and have a good night
I believe I saw a documentary that said Butts couldn't join the breakout because his facade he used to cover the escape hole with, hardened up and wouldn't budge. It wasn't about courage. It was even more heartbreaking than that. In the movie, he could break it by kicking it, but in reality the thing was as hard as the concrete wall itself and that prevented him joining up with the others.
With the actual escape from Alcatraz. It's not likely a person survived the crossing. The water is very cold and the current is fairly strong, strong enough to make you work harder to fight against it. Three people would have a hard time just making it a quarter of the way, even then the cold and eventual hypothermia would be something that you wouldn't survive. Not to mention it's at night and you would lose sight of where you're paddling. Plus, the clothing would not provide any protection and would likely just add to the exhaustion, once the clothes were soaked with freezing water.
The show "Mythbusters" re-enacted the escape by building life jackets and a raft from authentic-era raincoats modeled on the stuff the escapees left behind (and their best guess on what the prisoners would have done with the tools and materials they had), and they made it across the bay without too much difficulty. The episode is avail on KZhead
Love this film! Must have watched it 20 times and only now watching your reaction did I realise 'Doc' was the street/snow sweep from Home Alone!
There was a special on this escape a few years ago. The theory was they knew the tug boat schedule. They paddled around the island and hitched a ride
A funny movie that includes part of an Alcatraz tour - So I Married An Axe Murderer, with Mike Myers
Love this one. As a pre-teen, I must have seen it a dozen times on hbo around 1980-81.
I saw this at the drive-in with my parents when I was 12 years old. My dad was a huge Clint Eastwood fan so we saw everything he ever did in the 70s and 80s Clint is the man.👍
Alcatraz was a mini city with guards.locimg there. Ths salt water air and cold temps eventually took its toll. Escape attempts became more frequent because the stone itself was crumbling. And yes, this was based on a true story.
The Warden is played by "Patrick McGoohan" Played King Edward I in Brave Heart.
Hey guys, a great movie to see a different side of Clint Eastwood, and it's really good, and fun is "Every which way but loose" you won't be disappointed!
Thanks for the book recommendation. I’ve been looking for something interesting and new to read.
I visited Alcatraz back in 2001 and it was quite an experience. While I was there, I met an elderly gentleman who was selling copies of his book about his experiences working as a prison guard there during the late 50s-early 60s before its closure in 1963. I ended up buying a copy and he signed it for me. Unfortunately I lost the book a couple years later.
From Wikipedia: The incident in which Doc chops off several fingers with a hatchet was based on an actual incident in 1937. Inmate Rufe Persful, maddened by what was then a policy of strict silence at all times, cut off four fingers with a hatchet to try to get transferred off Alcatraz.
This movie is great I love all the planning and all the work that goes into the escape and what a cast Clint Eastwood and Patrick Number 6 McGoohan