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.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.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.
- Awards
- 2 nominations total
Maris J. Caune
- Loggie
- (as Maris J Caune)
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Featured reviews
functional escape flick
In 1978, Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber) are two white members of the ANC setting off harmless pamphlet bombs. They get arrested and imprisoned with other white political prisoners. They are agitating to escape but longtime respected political prisoner Denis Goldberg (Ian Hart) counsels against it. French prisoner Leonard Fontaine (Mark Leonard Winter) is not like Goldberg.
It needs more about their work and their struggle before prison. It also needs more after the escape. The prison and the escape is well done. It has a very good tick-tick of their escape plan. It has very good bones but the body around it is a little scrawny.
It needs more about their work and their struggle before prison. It also needs more after the escape. The prison and the escape is well done. It has a very good tick-tick of their escape plan. It has very good bones but the body around it is a little scrawny.
More enjoyable than you'd think
In terms of true story movies, this is probably one of the better ones I've seen.
Let's just jump into it. So, what I enjoyed the most was the built suspense throughout. It was done superbly well and it was real edge of your seat action. The reason why it's so good is, because the plot isn't something that you'd consider to have much going on. So the fact you're on edge for a lot of the film really illustrates how well written this is.
As with all movies like this, it's always worth asking if you need to know the true story in order to watch this? And to put it bluntly, no you don't. You can enjoy this for what it is, which is a prison escape thriller. I knew nothing of the people this film was illustrating and I really enjoyed this.
Couple of minor things to mention. I thought the characters could have had more of a back story. With them being important figures in South African history, would have been nice to have known them a little more. Instead you're thrown into the deep end within the first 2 minutes. And I know it's a true story, so obviously you can't just make stuff up. But, I felt the plot needed a little punch just to add a bit more, because it never goes out of its way.
I don't have much else to say other than I would recommend watching if you were debating it as it's a real good thriller. 7/10 today.
Let's just jump into it. So, what I enjoyed the most was the built suspense throughout. It was done superbly well and it was real edge of your seat action. The reason why it's so good is, because the plot isn't something that you'd consider to have much going on. So the fact you're on edge for a lot of the film really illustrates how well written this is.
As with all movies like this, it's always worth asking if you need to know the true story in order to watch this? And to put it bluntly, no you don't. You can enjoy this for what it is, which is a prison escape thriller. I knew nothing of the people this film was illustrating and I really enjoyed this.
Couple of minor things to mention. I thought the characters could have had more of a back story. With them being important figures in South African history, would have been nice to have known them a little more. Instead you're thrown into the deep end within the first 2 minutes. And I know it's a true story, so obviously you can't just make stuff up. But, I felt the plot needed a little punch just to add a bit more, because it never goes out of its way.
I don't have much else to say other than I would recommend watching if you were debating it as it's a real good thriller. 7/10 today.
80U
Escape from Pretoria
Basically, some of these critics haven't a clue. This movie is a must-see; it dramatically illustrates the physical and psychological cruelty orchestrated by the Apartheid regime. Some aspects are subtle and horrifying. My only complaint is we didn't get the backgrounds of several fascinating characters. Of course, in many movies there's simply not enough time. And finally, Daniel Radcliffe and Mark Leonard Winter were mesmerizing expressing the horror of being incarcerated. Go see the film.
A Well executed and gripping Prison Break Thriller
Story is interesting and (for me at least) sheds light on a lesser known part of the Apartheid movement. Movie utilized beautiful noir style lighting and interesting shot choices. The pacing was great and the tension build up kept me on the edge of my seat.
No long dialogues, no over acting, but a simple plain witty prison break film.
Watch the trailer and learn nothing more before watching, enjoy the film for what it is and not what you presume it should be.
No long dialogues, no over acting, but a simple plain witty prison break film.
Watch the trailer and learn nothing more before watching, enjoy the film for what it is and not what you presume it should be.
Good Movie
Why people are giving low rate to all the latest films that Daniel Radcliffe have been shot. I like this movie, its not boring at all. The plot is very interesting, the soundtrack chosen very good. actors played their role perfectly. I don't know what else people want from the movie !!!
Did you know
- TriviaThe chisel used at Door 10 in the film is the actual chisel used in the escape. Tim Jenkin had kept it through the years and lent it to the production.
- GoofsWhen Tim and Leonard exit from hiding in the storage closet, the closet door is left ajar. A few minutes later when Leonard is checking for the guard, a shot of the staircase shows the closet door closed. When Tim and Leonard return to hide, the closet door is ajar again.
- Quotes
Denis Goldberg: Don't run away, stay and fight!
Tim Jenkin: [holds up a key] This is how we fight!
- ConnectionsReferenced in Escape from Pretoria: Cast Interviews (2020)
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Fuga de Pretoria
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $2,431,995
- Runtime
- 1h 46m(106 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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