esrosedotblog

BUILDUPrevised 062905--see Grissom

Today, we had the long buildup towards an Escape From Alcatraz (1979).

I say that because the escape is almost anti-climactic in this Clint Eastwood thriller.

We get a great story of how it is to enter and survive in the most impenetrable fortress of a prison--that is 'out' not 'in' impenetrable. Eastwood is perfect for this; sardonic, tough, very very intelligent.

The characters and drama are vivid and clear and very engaging. There is the sadistic warden, the old guy who has a mouse as a pet, the black king of the mountain who Eastwood comes to befriend, the haplessly unfortunate bully who plans to make Clint his punk, and even the old con who is a painter and raises flowers. I know. It sounds like a cliche; and it is, yet, in the hands of Don Siegel, it works.

We also have Fred Ward, a favorite, as one of the escapees. Love to watch Fred. He is little. One of his best films was Miami Blues, an Elmore Leonard adaptation. He had to play half the film without his false teeth. I know. It doesn't sound that hot but Fred Ward is.

He was also Gus Grissom in The Right Stuff. (Paul corrected this for me. I had it down as the Apollo picture. I always get them confused).

What else? I liked it. Not as much as to make it a Best Film which it is on the NYTimes 1176 list. But I will make it a 3 out of a Netflix5.