Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.Based on the real-life prison break of two political captives, Escape From Pretoria is a race-against-time thriller set in the tumultuous apartheid days of South Africa.
- Awards
- 2 nominations
Maris J. Caune
- Loggie
- (as Maris J Caune)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe chisel used at Door 10 in the film is the actual chisel used in the escape. Tim Jenkin had kept it through the years and lent it to the production.
- GoofsWhen Tim and Leonard exit from hiding in the storage closet, the closet door is left ajar. A few minutes later when Leonard is checking for the guard, a shot of the staircase shows the closet door closed. When Tim and Leonard return to hide, the closet door is ajar again.
- Quotes
Denis Goldberg: Don't run away, stay and fight!
Tim Jenkin: [holds up a key] This is how we fight!
- ConnectionsReferenced in Escape from Pretoria: Cast Interviews (2020)
Featured review
More enjoyable than you'd think
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.
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.
helpful•60
- danielmanson
- Jun 10, 2022
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Phi Vụ Đào Tẩu
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $2,431,995
- Runtime1 hour 46 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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