Escape from Pretoria

I highly recommend this film to everyone but especially those who love biopics and prison thrillers. I think it’s important for people to learn this piece of history, and I’m glad that Francis Annan brought his interpretation of these events to an audience that might not be familiar with them.

This procedural quality to Escape From Pretoria — combined with an accomplished cast that includes Ian Hart as the anti-apartheid prisoner most opposed to Jenkin’s plan — adds some oomph to a movie that features limited sets, a simple story and none of the Hollywood polish of The Shawshank Redemption.

A pacy screenplay, co-written by director Francis Annan and adapted from a book by Jenkin, rarely flags, but it’s the nervy camera, hugging the characters at hip height, the better to scrutinise each locked barrier to freedom, that most successfully builds the tension.

Star Daniel Radcliffe will be the biggest draw here, but the pic's focus on planning and genre mechanics over personalities may limit its appeal for his fans.

Francis Annan’s film works effectively as a straight-up jailbreak thriller, well-oiled in greasy B-movie tradition. It’s when it shoots for more historical import that it falls somewhat short.

Almost everything that’s enjoyable about Escape From Pretoria is a variation on stuff you’ve probably seen in superior prison movies, though Radcliffe’s haunted performance is exceptionally compelling.

Despite an inherently cinematic story and some effective sequences, Escape From Pretoria struggles to transcend a clunky, one-dimensional script.

This is a quite gripping and certainly tense crime thriller film. The fact its based on a true story appealed, as is ever the case. Daniel Radcliffe does well in showing a range of emotions undoubtedly felt by the protagonist, Tim Jenkin - anger, determination, fear. He isn't someone others may feel especially easy to feel sorry for, given what happened but even so, you may be surprised by the sheer brutality prisoners faced on a daily basis at the depicted prison. Its an interesting tale pretty well told, with some edge of your seat type moments, so yes, I'd recommend it.

Amazing escape! Even Harry Potter can't do it! LOL. Seriously, this was an interesting movie. I also learned racism called Apartheid in South Africa. It made me feel researching many things on Google!

Der Film war ganz okay, kann man sich mal anschauen, wenn auch teilweise zu wenig spannendes passiert. Da er aber auf wahrer Begebenheit ist, macht es etwas mehr Spaß, zu schauen.

At it’s core, Escape from Pretoria is just another prison escape movie. The finish of the South African apartheid setting does enhance it, and Daniel Radcliffe is good despite a questionable South African accent. But the thrilling scenes of the daring escape get less thrilling as you see them rebranded and recycled.

Perhaps this is the most solid effort from Daniel Radcliffe to demonstrate that he definitely doesn't want to be remembered only for having played Harry Potter. In all honesty, he will never succeed with that, but efforts like this one are appreciated. Escape From Pretoria isn't a film that exhibits depth but it was quite entertaining.