The Escapist

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The Escapist

2009,

1h 43m,

Drama

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Watchlist

Watchlist

67%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

63%

10,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

63%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Fourteen years into a life sentence, convict Frank Perry (Brian Cox) plans to escape from prison after learning his daughter nearly overdosed from heroin. With the help of fellow prisoners, Frank begins digging tunnels that will lead to the outside world. As Frank and his friends dig, he fends off Rizza (Damian Lewis), a fearsome gangster who runs the inside of the prison, and his brother, Tony (Steven Mackintosh), a junkie with designs on Frank's cellmate, Lacey (Dominic Cooper).

Critics Consensus

A tense, smart prison break movie, The Escapist is a sharp debut from director Rupert Wyatt.

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Wendy Ide

The Times (UK)

Nov 18, 2022

A satisfying nail-biter with a tricksy, time-jumping, twist-heavy plot, a refreshingly spare approach to dialogue and a fine all-male ensemble cast...

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David Stratton

At the Movies (Australia)

Jul 16, 2009

2/5

This is a rather curious film, admirable in some ways but also strangely frustrating.

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Paul Byrnes

Sydney Morning Herald

Jul 8, 2009

2.5/5

I hate criticising someone for ambition but The Escapist is a victory of ambition over dramatic achievement.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Sep 19, 2023

3.5/4

Every scene is tightly bound to the next by concealed visual nods and restrained dialogue, which, coupled with the film’s naturalism, makes for raw, satisfying suspense.

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David Harris

Spectrum Culture

Oct 9, 2019

2/5

The Escapist is not an easy movie to watch.

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Kaleem Aftab

The National (UAE)

Nov 1, 2018

Unfortunately, the depiction of prison life is predictable and the inmates are extremely dull stereotypes.

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Anakin G

Mar 7, 2017

Great movie that all comes together

Poe M

Jun 11, 2014

Good little Irish/English prison break move, The twist ending makes it all the better.

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Rupert Wyatt

Director

Brian Cox

Frank

Joseph Fiennes

Lenny

Liam Cunningham

Brodie

Seu Jorge

Viv Batista

Dominic Cooper

Lacey

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Synopsis

Fourteen years into a life sentence, convict Frank Perry (Brian Cox) plans to escape from prison after learning his daughter nearly overdosed from heroin. With the help of fellow prisoners, Frank begins digging tunnels that will lead to the outside world. As Frank and his friends dig, he fends off Rizza (Damian Lewis), a fearsome gangster who runs the inside of the prison, and his brother, Tony (Steven Mackintosh), a junkie with designs on Frank's cellmate, Lacey (Dominic Cooper).

Director: Rupert Wyatt
Producer: Adrian Sturges, Alan Moloney
Screenwriter: Rupert Wyatt, Daniel Hardy
Distributor: IFC Films
Production Co: Picture Farm
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 1, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 10, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $13.0K
Runtime: 1h 43m

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