Alcatraz

"Escape from Alcatraz" is a 1979 American crime drama film directed by Don Siegel. The movie is based on a supposedly true story of a real-life prison escape attempt from the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary. The story begins with Frank Morris, a charismatic and cunning convicted bank robber, and John and Clarence Anglin, two brothers who have committed a string of armed robberies, among others. The three men, all seasoned inmates, are placed in isolation at Alcatraz due to their unruly behavior and numerous escape attempts from previous prisons. The story delves deeper into their prison lives, showcasing their determination to escape the notorious Alcatraz Island, infamous for its harsh conditions, strict discipline, and the infamous "Model Prison" reputation. Their lives as inmates revolve around their daily routines of hard labor, grueling physical conditions, and oppressive treatment from the strict prison guards. Morris, a mastermind with exceptional escape skills, becomes the central figure in their escape plans. He gathers information about the prison's layout, studying every detail to find vulnerabilities in the structure of Alcatraz. Morris observes the guards' daily routines, exploiting their complacency and carelessness. The trio begins to dig and create a tunnel, using makeshift tools made from objects available within the prison, including spoons, soap, and paper. As the tunnel progresses, they use their expertise to create ventilation tunnels, carefully planning to avoid detection. The Anglin brothers and Morris meticulously gather materials and tools, using these to their advantage, all while maintaining the cover of innocence to evade suspicion from the prison authorities. The inmates meticulously replicate the realistic faces of their faces on paper mache heads, complete with hair, to deceive the guards. They are able to pass these fake heads to their cell blocks in an attempt to throw off suspicion of their escape plan. Meanwhile, the guards become increasingly suspicious of the activities of the three prisoners, but Morris and his accomplices successfully avoid arousing their suspicions. As the tunnel nears completion, the group plans their final escape. They use the fake heads to throw off suspicion while they disappear from their cells. With their carefully planned exit, the Anglin brothers slip into the night wearing homemade suits, made from paper bags and fabric, complete with wetsuits and homemade diving equipment that they made in preparation. Frank Morris disappears with a homemade U.S. one dollar bill and a homemade map, both with the coordinates to their presumed location after escaping the island. The movie ends with an FBI investigation launched to determine the fate of the three escapees. The authorities suspect and then later confirm the trio's escape by examining the makeshift tools left behind and an empty soapbox. No human remains were ever found in the water or on the island. However, a U.S. Customs boat did report a sighting of someone in a wet suit floating in the direction of the Anglin brothers' assumed jumping point, but the crew was unable to confirm if it was one of the escapees. The fate of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers remains a mystery to this day.