Alcatraz (2018, UK / USA)

This latest Alcatraz film is ‘inspired by real events’. It is low budget and low on authenticity. It is also, sadly, at the low end of the interest scale.

Rather than be constrained by anyone’s expectations that his film should be historically accurate, director Andrew Jones has opted to make it patently clear that it is not intended as a faithful re-creation of the 1946 ‘Battle of Alcatraz’. While it borrows all the key characters (and some of the circumstances) from that abortive escape attempt, the storyline is not supported by what is known of the escape bid – and just to make sure you don’t start to think it might be something it’s not, some of the prisoners wear beards, one has his hair in a man-bun, Clarence ‘Choctaw Kid’ Carnes loses his Native American ethnicity, the mess room boasts plastic chairs, General Joseph ‘Vinegar Joe’ Stilwell wears a Hulk Hogan horseshoe moustache, and there are still more other anachronisms than you can poke a 21st century San Franciscan skyline at.

You might be forgiven for thinking that the true-life Battle of Alcatraz has drama aplenty for a filmmaker just as it occurred: the intricate planning, the seizing of weapons and taking of hostages, the bid faltering because of a key to the yard that the prisoners couldn’t locate. Here we skip those planning and execution phases, and move straight into where the bid stumbles… and the narrative toys with the idea that the bid might have been sabotaged from within.

It must be said that there are some decent dramatic moments between the five prisoners and three officers who are confined together until General Stilwell’s Marines blast their way in. In particular, Patrick O’Donnell as the thwarted, increasingly paranoid leader of the prisoner group, Joe Cretzer, does a fine job. But they are not enough.

For me, not all of the problems with this film are due to the disconnect between the 1946 event and its modern portrayal. Some, I think, relate to the casting of Bernie Coy (Gareth Nelson), who masterminded the escape bid in real life but here – even allowing for him going through a phase of mid-life radical self-reflection – couldn’t convince me that he ever belonged with the hardened Alcatraz cohort, let alone devised the escape plan. Similarly, I’m not sure that you ever get a real sense of the hardness that led Clarence Carnes (Derek Nelson), to make history as the youngest prisoner at that time ever to have been transferred to Alcatraz (after being convicted of a murder at 16 and then, three years on, escaping from Leavenworth).

Some of the problems could also be linked to the warden, James A Johnston (Erick Hayden), who says to the youthful Clarence, “With (the prospect of parole that your fellow prisoners don’t share) in mind, do you really think it’s in your best interests to keep company with murderers..?” when (a) Clarence is a convicted murderer himself, and (b) there was, presumably, a dearth of jaywalkers and writers of bad cheques in Alcatraz with whom he could associate just at that time. And who, when advised that three of his officers have been taken hostage, doesn’t immediately snap into action but instead chooses to reflect at length on Romans 13:4.

Or it could be the lack of staff in the mess room when an incident occurs, or Bernie placing a shank on the ground for Clarence to pick up, in full view, one would imagine, of the guards observing the yard from the tower. I found that I could ignore the man-bun, set aside much of the action taking place in front of a single stone wall, and even tolerate speculation about the missing key that doesn’t appear to be supported by the facts… but the open display of that shank was another matter.

I wasn’t a huge fan of Six Against the Rock (one of several dramatisations of the Battle of Alcatraz). But I prefer it to this one.

 

 

 

Posted on February 24th, 2020 at 6:49 pm. Updated on February 24th, 2020 at 6:49 pm.

#398 in the Top 500

950 Responses to “Alcatraz (2018, UK / USA)”

  1. August 28th, 2022 at 3:25 am
    window repairs near Me says:

    %%

    Check out my website … window repairs near Me

  2. August 28th, 2022 at 3:27 am
    https://www.notebooks.personalpages.us/RubenhpKimeho says:

    %%

    My blog post – 18 wheeler injury lawyer – https://www.notebooks.personalpages.us/RubenhpKimeho,

  3. August 28th, 2022 at 3:27 am
    delta 8 thc for Sale says:

    %%

    My website: delta 8 thc for Sale

  4. August 28th, 2022 at 3:28 am
    urlki.com says:

    %%

    Here is my webpage: undiagnosed adhd in Adults (urlki.com)

  5. August 28th, 2022 at 3:28 am
    buy cbd Vape juice uk says:

    %%

    Stop by my website: buy cbd Vape juice uk

  6. August 28th, 2022 at 3:30 am
    repairing double glazed windows says:

    %%

    Also visit my web-site :: repairing double glazed windows

  7. August 28th, 2022 at 3:34 am
    Urself.Cloud says:

    %%

    Take a look at my website – Door Repairing (Urself.Cloud)

  8. August 28th, 2022 at 3:34 am
    window glass replacement Milton keynes says:

    %%

    my web blog :: window glass replacement Milton keynes

  9. August 28th, 2022 at 3:36 am
    Mens Masturbation toys says:

    %%

    My web-site Mens Masturbation toys

  10. August 28th, 2022 at 3:37 am
    double glazing Windows milton keynes says:

    %%

    Also visit my blog … double glazing Windows milton keynes

  11. August 28th, 2022 at 3:57 am
    Adult entertainment store says:

    %%

    Review my web-site – Adult entertainment store

  12. August 28th, 2022 at 4:01 am
    cbd hash for Sale uk says:

    %%

    Stop by my blog post :: cbd hash for Sale uk

  13. August 28th, 2022 at 4:16 am
    Asbestos Litigation says:

    %%

    Feel free to visit my web-site :: Asbestos Litigation

  14. August 28th, 2022 at 4:22 am
    youtubediscussion.com says:

    %%

    Also visit my blog: netsuite Consultant; youtubediscussion.com,

  15. August 28th, 2022 at 4:23 am
    private adhd Clinic London says:

    %%

    my web site … private adhd Clinic London

  16. August 28th, 2022 at 4:32 am
    Avon uk says:

    %%

    Feel free to visit my homepage Avon uk

  17. August 28th, 2022 at 4:37 am
    auto Injury says:

    %%

    Also visit my web site :: auto Injury

  18. August 28th, 2022 at 4:37 am
    one Calvin Klein says:

    %%

    Take a look at my web-site … one Calvin Klein

  19. August 28th, 2022 at 4:40 am
    Deangelo says:

    %%

    Here is my blog post: motorcycle injury attorney (Deangelo)

  20. August 28th, 2022 at 4:41 am
    Womens Perfume Offers says:

    %%

    Here is my site: Womens Perfume Offers

  21. August 28th, 2022 at 4:45 am
    water Soluble cbd uk wholesale says:

    %%

    My web-site: water Soluble cbd uk wholesale

  22. August 28th, 2022 at 5:01 am
    How Long Does An Electrical Installation Condition Report Take says:

    %%

    My web site; How Long Does An Electrical Installation Condition Report Take

  23. August 28th, 2022 at 5:07 am
    upvc window repairs near me says:

    %%

    my blog post :: upvc window repairs near me

  24. August 28th, 2022 at 5:17 am
    www.giruna.hu says:

    %%

    Also visit my web blog adhd Treatment (http://www.giruna.hu)

  25. August 28th, 2022 at 5:26 am
    door replacement romford says:

    %%

    Also visit my homepage door replacement romford

  26. August 28th, 2022 at 5:33 am
    Double Glazed Windows Near Me says:

    %%

    my web site Double Glazed Windows Near Me

  27. August 28th, 2022 at 5:38 am
    Assessing adhd in adults says:

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my web blog Assessing adhd in adults

  28. August 28th, 2022 at 5:44 am
    Orval says:

    %%

    My page – netsuite consultant (Orval)

  29. August 28th, 2022 at 5:58 am
    cbd Hash online says:

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my homepage – cbd Hash online

  30. August 28th, 2022 at 6:01 am
    https://27xp3gptngcog2gqncaf52aj2lamgcgebfm2ikijc53ba2pwoe5q.cdn.ampproject.org says:

    %%

    my web blog :: adhd psychiatrists near me (https://27xp3gptngcog2gqncaf52aj2lamgcgebfm2ikijc53ba2pwoe5q.cdn.ampproject.org)

  31. August 28th, 2022 at 6:02 am
    audi replacement Key service near me says:

    %%

    Feel free to visit my web page: audi replacement Key service near me

  32. August 28th, 2022 at 6:04 am
    Private Psychiatrist London says:

    %%

    my web blog :: Private Psychiatrist London

  33. August 28th, 2022 at 6:05 am
    gambling says:

    Slot machines online are a preferred pastime for millions
    of players. This thrilling and enjoyable kind of gambling is a perfect way to
    pass the time or to make extra cash.

  34. August 28th, 2022 at 6:06 am
    http://????.Mo2da.kr/ says:

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my site :: boat accident lawsuit (http://????.Mo2da.kr/)

  35. August 28th, 2022 at 6:10 am
    Asbestos Legal says:

    %%

    My site: Asbestos Legal

  36. August 28th, 2022 at 6:12 am
    hemp gummy for sale says:

    %%

    Here is my blog post hemp gummy for sale

  37. August 28th, 2022 at 6:12 am
    Almeda says:

    Hi there, I log on to your blogs on a regular basis. Your
    writing style is witty, keep doing what you’re doing!

    Also visit my blog: hu tao costume (Almeda)

  38. August 28th, 2022 at 6:17 am
    cbd E juice uk says:

    %%

    Also visit my web site – cbd E juice uk

  39. August 28th, 2022 at 6:23 am
    motorcycle Accident Lawsuit says:

    %%

    Here is my blog: motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

  40. August 28th, 2022 at 6:24 am
    avon become a rep says:

    %%

    my web-site :: avon become a rep

  41. August 28th, 2022 at 6:26 am
    double glazing installer says:

    %%

    Feel free to visit my web page; double glazing installer

  42. August 28th, 2022 at 6:31 am
    upvc Window Repairs says:

    %%

    Take a look at my web-site; upvc Window Repairs

  43. August 28th, 2022 at 6:38 am
    how to Get an adhd diagnosis uk says:

    %%

    Here is my blog … how to Get an adhd diagnosis uk

  44. August 28th, 2022 at 6:42 am
    Sports says:

    The internet offers a variety of advantages for both the bookmakers and bettors.

    In addition to allowing people to bet on their preferred
    sports, online
    betting sites also allow them to earn money.

    They provide a wide range of ways to deposit funds.

  45. August 28th, 2022 at 7:04 am
    cbd oil wiltshire says:

    %%

    My blog post: cbd oil wiltshire

  46. August 28th, 2022 at 7:05 am
    Http://Bbs.Medoo.Hk/Home.Php?Mod=Space&Uid=245994&Do=Profile says:

    %%

    Stop by my web blog: Door Repairman Near Me (http://Bbs.Medoo.Hk/Home.Php?Mod=Space&Uid=245994&Do=Profile)

  47. August 28th, 2022 at 7:15 am
    Window installers says:

    %%

    Also visit my web-site – Window installers

  48. August 28th, 2022 at 7:18 am
    Replacement windows near me says:

    %%

    Here is my webpage … Replacement windows near me

  49. August 28th, 2022 at 7:20 am
    cbd Gummies edingburgh says:

    %%

    Feel free to surf to my webpage – cbd Gummies edingburgh

  50. August 28th, 2022 at 7:24 am
    Judibca.Com says:

    %%

    my homepage :: Poker (Judibca.Com)

Leave a comment

XHTML: You can use these tags:

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>