Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.... (Full plot summary below)
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Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.
Leave your thoughts about Escape from Pretoria.
| Film ThreatLorry KiktaI highly recommend this film to everyone but especially those who love biopics and prison thrillers. I think it’s important for people to learn this piece of history, and I’m glad that Francis Annan brought his interpretation of these events to an audience that might not be familiar with them. |
| Los Angeles TimesNoel MurrayThis procedural quality to Escape From Pretoria — combined with an accomplished cast that includes Ian Hart as the anti-apartheid prisoner most opposed to Jenkin’s plan — adds some oomph to a movie that features limited sets, a simple story and none of the Hollywood polish of The Shawshank Redemption. |
| The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeA pacy screenplay, co-written by director Francis Annan and adapted from a book by Jenkin, rarely flags, but it’s the nervy camera, hugging the characters at hip height, the better to scrutinise each locked barrier to freedom, that most successfully builds the tension. |
| The Hollywood ReporterJohn DeForeStar Daniel Radcliffe will be the biggest draw here, but the pic's focus on planning and genre mechanics over personalities may limit its appeal for his fans. |
| VarietyGuy LodgeFrancis Annan’s film works effectively as a straight-up jailbreak thriller, well-oiled in greasy B-movie tradition. It’s when it shoots for more historical import that it falls somewhat short. |
| TheWrapSimon AbramsAlmost everything that’s enjoyable about Escape From Pretoria is a variation on stuff you’ve probably seen in superior prison movies, though Radcliffe’s haunted performance is exceptionally compelling. |
| EmpireBen TravisDespite an inherently cinematic story and some effective sequences, Escape From Pretoria struggles to transcend a clunky, one-dimensional script. |
| User ReviewBreo2019This movie kept me wondering what the heck was going to happen, my nerves were running in my body, highly recommend it. |
| User ReviewDawdlingPoetThis is a quite gripping and certainly tense crime thriller film. The fact its based on a true story appealed, as is ever the case. Daniel Radcliffe does well in showing a range of emotions undoubtedly felt by the protagonist, Tim Jenkin - anger, determination, fear. He isn't someone others may feel especially easy to feel sorry for, given what happened but even so, you may be surprised by the sheer brutality prisoners faced on a daily basis at the depicted prison. Its an interesting tale pretty well told, with some edge of your seat type moments, so yes, I'd recommend it. |
| User ReviewMarkTakayamaAmazing escape! Even Harry Potter can't do it! LOL. Seriously, this was an interesting movie. I also learned racism called Apartheid in South Africa. |
