Excellent direction by Don Siegel. The pace is deliberate, the shocks and surprises arise naturally, and the denouement is tense and absorbing. Good work by Eastwood and McGoohan. Features a fine performance by Paul Benjaimin as "English".

Nice movie based on the true story of 3 prisoners who managed to successfully escape from the heavily guarded fortress that is Alcatraz... or did they? Clint Eastwood stars as the switched on Frank Morris who leads the team in the clandestine caper.Mindboggling,however is the blatant way they talk loudly with reckless abandon about their imminent departure with such obliviousness to the guards nearby them or prisoners that might have other things to say.

Only 'A Man Escaped' is a better prison escape movie, and they do so many things alike it's no wonder they are the best. The lack of dialogue and the moody atmosphere really helps in keeping the audience feeling tense. Hell, we know they are going to get out, yet during the breakout scene we are on the edges of our seats.

MAN: "It's my 35th birthday to day. What a birthday! ... when is your birthday?" CLINT: "I don't know." MAN: "How come you don't know? What was your childhood like?" CLINT: "SHORT!" ... that's 60 for me right there.

Every prison-escape film that came after ripped off this one, because it is done to perfection.

good and watchable film from the master that is Eastwood!! watch it if you like the rock or shawshank redemption!

A good watch. Clint is classy!