Escape from Pretoria

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.

"Escape from Pretoria" will never win any Oscars but this heartfelt, social-conscious thriller, based on a true story and set in a South Africa under Apartheid, is a lot better than I thought it was going to be. As the title tells us, it's an escape movie, (obviously), and by their very nature, escape movies usually make for good thrillers and this is no exception. It's very exciting while not afraid to show the horrors of the South African prison system at the same time.

Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber are the two young white members of the ANC imprisoned for distributing anti-government propoganda and Francis Annan's film is about how they escaped from Pretoria Prison. Ian Hart and Mark Leonard Winter are other prisoners in on the plan. It's a very compact little movie though it's unlikely to cause Bresson's "A Man Escaped", "The Shawshank Redemption" or "Papillion" cause for concern. That said, this is still edge-of-the-seat stuff, very skillfully done, and the performances throughout are first-rate. In the end, you might just say, it does what it says on the tin.

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.

You can't deny the fact that Escape from Pretoria is a neat little jailbreak thriller, but it could have been so much more had more light been thrown on the film's lead characters. These guys have essential roles in apartheid history. The impact of their escape could have had a much greater payoff if writer-director Francis Annan had given us more character development. That's what makes good thrillers great: giving audiences reasons to care for the protagonists to succeed, even if they're doing something illegal. Escape from Pretoria is tremendous fun to watch, especially in its final 30 minutes, when the actual jailbreak is in progress.

For a good portion of the first two acts, the makers focus solely on the aspect of trial & error key-making. Radcliffe (as Tim Jenkin) is the clear main-man here, with Webber (as Stephen Lee) playing more of a side-kick role. Mark Leonard Winter (as Leonard Fontaine) rounds off the lead trio, remarkably showcasing his desperation to escape. The thrills are effectively placed and shot, with David Hirschfelder's score raising the stakes during tension-filled scenes. While it's a far from perfect jailbreak thriller, Escape from Pretoria manages to retain your attention all through and delivers a mostly enjoyable fare.

Outstanding performance by Our boy Daniel Radcliff. I truly enjoyed the movie. Sometimes i felt myself also a living being there. It's delightful to hear that this movie Based on the real-life prison break. Thriller ! Thriller ! Thriller !