Escape From Alcatraz 1979

Vincent Canby, New York Times: What Mr. Siegel has made is fiction, a first-rate action movie that is about the need and the decision to take action, as well as the action itself. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: It's one of those very difficult exercises in which large emotions, like the compulsion to be free, are reflected in minute actions, like the chipping away at stone with a pocket nail clipper. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: It's an austere depiction of the tedious routines of prison life, and of the courage and strength of spirit needed in coping with unpleasant warders, tough fellow-inmates, and a life sentence. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: Escape from Alcatraz is relentless in establishing a mood and pace of unrelieved tension. Read more