Escape from Pretoria (2020) User Reviews (284)

A good old-fashioned and exciting prison break movie.

[MOscarbradley · 7/10 · 13 May 2020]

"Escape from Pretoria" will never win any Oscars but this heartfelt, social-conscious thriller, based on a true story and set in a South Africa under Apartheid, is a lot better than I thought it was going to be. As the title tells us, it's an escape movie, (obviously), and by their very nature, escape movies usually make for good thrillers and this is no exception. It's very exciting while not afraid to show the horrors of the South African prison system at the same time.

Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber are the two young white members of the ANC imprisoned for distributing anti-government propoganda and Francis Annan's film is about how they escaped from Pretoria Prison. Ian Hart and Mark Leonard Winter are other prisoners in on the plan. It's a very compact little movie though it's unlikely to cause Bresson's "A Man Escaped", "The Shawshank Redemption" or "Papillion" cause for concern. That said, this is still edge-of-the-seat stuff, very skillfully done, and the performances throughout are first-rate. In the end, you might just say, it does what it says on the tin.

Tension through simplicity

[downingpatrick · 8/10 · 6 March 2020]

Had I seen the IMDB rating I might not have watched it but am pleased I did. This production kept me engaged throughout bringing dramatic tension even to bubblegum on the ens of a stick! Particularly if you knew the consequences awaiting the protagonists if they failed. Perhaps the appalling situation could have been more graphically set up but as a prison break movie it works well but not if you want the graphic violence that so many filmmakers resort to for tension. Ignore the negatives & watch it

A Well executed and gripping Prison Break Thriller

[cinemapaperroast · 7/10 · 18 July 2020]

Story is interesting and (for me at least) sheds light on a lesser known part of the Apartheid movement. Movie utilized beautiful noir style lighting and interesting shot choices. The pacing was great and the tension build up kept me on the edge of my seat.

No long dialogues, no over acting, but a simple plain witty prison break film.

Watch the trailer and learn nothing more before watching, enjoy the film for what it is and not what you presume it should be.

Escape from Pretoria

[0U · 21 March 2020]

Basically, some of these critics haven't a clue. This movie is a must-see; it dramatically illustrates the physical and psychological cruelty orchestrated by the Apartheid regime. Some aspects are subtle and horrifying. My only complaint is we didn't get the backgrounds of several fascinating characters. Of course, in many movies there's simply not enough time. And finally, Daniel Radcliffe and Mark Leonard Winter were mesmerizing expressing the horror of being incarcerated. Go see the film.

Well Executed Old-School Jailbreak Thriller

[TwistedContent · 7/10 · 7 March 2020]

Not two weeks after "Guns Akimbo" Daniel Radcliffe rewards us with yet another great performance, this time in a tightly made, old-school B-like jailbreak thriller set against a historically true background. Francis Annan's "Escape from Pretoria", while flawed in some areas, gives legitimate thrills and keeps you excited all throughout, as you follow the trio of men on the quest of freedom.

"Escape from Pretoria" is based on the prison escape of two political captives from Pretoria Central Prison in South Africa in 1979. The movie starts with an introduction of the political events taking place in South Africa during that time, more precisely the Apartheid. Soon after Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber) get arrested and sent to prison for 8 or more years, there they meet politically related Denis Goldberg (Ian Hart) and their third accomplice Leonard Fontaine (Mark Leonard Winter). Most of the time we spent inside the prison, following the routine and efforts of our three main heroes - the story focuses a lot on creating suspense and in doing so has it has created many good and very enjoyable sequences. It's all about the thrill of finding the means to reach freedom. "Escape from Pretoria" is a neat and successful exercise in a familiar formula, utilized since way back when, Clint Eastwood's "Escape from Alcatraz" has the same qualities. Includes also great attention to detail. The pacing's nice and even, with some great pick-ups here and there. With the focus being on atmosphere, excitement and genre mechanics, the script is lacking in the area of depth, more precisely the characters, there's not a lot of set-up or backstory for them. However, the performances make up for that. Visually, the movie excels as well, using various cool camera tricks and touching up the suspense with technical means, the cinematic language is on point all throughout.

"Escape from Pretoria" is a great procedural thriller, a successful execution of genre mechanics, a carefully planned movie about planning. If it lacks depth, it definitely possesses a good entertainment value, further fulfilled with great acting work. Good prison-set movies don't come out all that often. My rating: 7/10.

Good Movie

[afataev · 7/10 · 7 March 2020]

Why people are giving low rate to all the latest films that Daniel Radcliffe have been shot. I like this movie, its not boring at all. The plot is very interesting, the soundtrack chosen very good. actors played their role perfectly. I don't know what else people want from the movie !!!

functional escape flick

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 19 November 2020]

In 1978, Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber) are two white members of the ANC setting off harmless pamphlet bombs. They get arrested and imprisoned with other white political prisoners. They are agitating to escape but longtime respected political prisoner Denis Goldberg (Ian Hart) counsels against it. French prisoner Leonard Fontaine (Mark Leonard Winter) is not like Goldberg.

It needs more about their work and their struggle before prison. It also needs more after the escape. The prison and the escape is well done. It has a very good tick-tick of their escape plan. It has very good bones but the body around it is a little scrawny.

Great thrills, but character development is lacking! [+64%]

[arungeorge13 · 6/10 · 11 November 2021]

You can't deny the fact that Escape from Pretoria is a neat little jailbreak thriller, but it could have been so much more had more light been thrown on the film's lead characters. These guys have essential roles in apartheid history. The impact of their escape could have had a much greater payoff if writer-director Francis Annan had given us more character development. That's what makes good thrillers great: giving audiences reasons to care for the protagonists to succeed, even if they're doing something illegal. Escape from Pretoria is tremendous fun to watch, especially in its final 30 minutes, when the actual jailbreak is in progress.

For a good portion of the first two acts, the makers focus solely on the aspect of trial & error key-making. Radcliffe (as Tim Jenkin) is the clear main-man here, with Webber (as Stephen Lee) playing more of a side-kick role. Mark Leonard Winter (as Leonard Fontaine) rounds off the lead trio, remarkably showcasing his desperation to escape. The thrills are effectively placed and shot, with David Hirschfelder's score raising the stakes during tension-filled scenes. While it's a far from perfect jailbreak thriller, Escape from Pretoria manages to retain your attention all through and delivers a mostly enjoyable fare.

"Don't run away, stay and fight!"

[yusufpiskin · 6/10 · 6 April 2020]

A solid prison escape movie that supplies plenty of suspenseful moments and a fresh escape plan you can easily get behind. I found that it at times had a creative use of cinematography, and the score was suitably disturbing, somewhat similar to Psycho. Daniel Radclifffe really dissapeared into this role too; I was impressed.

The film isn't astonishing or anything, but it's a job well done considering it's the first film from the director. Worth the watch if you're looking for some more new releases.

Brilliantly jail break thriller!

[chethanibalasuriya · 9/10 · 2 April 2020]

Outstanding performance by Our boy Daniel Radcliff. I truly enjoyed the movie. Sometimes i felt myself also a living being there. It's delightful to hear that this movie Based on the real-life prison break. Thriller ! Thriller ! Thriller !

More enjoyable that I expected

[Top_Dawg_Critic · 7/10 · 9 March 2020]

Directing was on point, cinematography was excellent, and casting and performances were spot on. Even the score was very fitting for this film. The writing did have some plot issues and/or bad editing towards the beginning, and I felt the pacing could've been a little faster and/or the 106 runtime cut down to around 90 mins. Nevertheless, it was more enjoyable that I expected.

im not that easy tensed, but this touched a string of nerve

[ops-52535 · 8/10 · 5 March 2020]

Its a dramathriller from true life, the apharteid era of south africa, anc and white political supporters, going to prison for equal rights. while there theyre fed up with the prison system and tries to make a way to escape. how and when its done i shall not spoil.

but if your in for a session of silverscreen watching, accompanied with a lot of stretching, hyperventilating, stress and a whole lot of sweat then youre in for it in this flick. the acting are good, the filmographic efforts combined with excellent light and soundwork, together with a serious set of score make it all even better.

why not 10, well i think the makers portrays the prisoners environment a bit smoother and humane than it was in the true life, and i think the introduction to the maincast is a bit slow and weak. so its not a perfect film, even though the grumpy old man had a good time.a recommend.

More enjoyable than you'd think

[danielmanson · 7/10 · 11 June 2022]

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.

Disappointing

[shireen-01456 · 3/10 · 2 April 2020]

I was really looking forward to this movie. However I don't understand why filmmakers don't hire local talent of which there is an abundance. The fake South African accents just ruined this movie for me. As an English speaking South African the exaggerated accents are completely off putting. I don't know a single South African English or Afrikaans speaking who sounds like this. It makes the whole thing seem like a parody unfortunately.

Tense and gripping, it was the 1970s, the title explains the story arc.

[TxMike · 23 July 2020]

It was the 1970s and apartheid was still being strictly enforced in S. Africa. A small band of anti-apartheid white men were working to change that and one way was to plant "bombs" on the streets that would shoot hundreds of leaflets into the air because it was illegal to openly campaign for the cause. The bombs didn't hurt anyone, still two of them were arrested and sent to a highly secure prison in Pretoria, one for 8 years the other for 12 years.

Daniel Radcliffe plays one of them, Tim Jenkin who was sentenced to 12 years and who wrote the book upon which this movie is based. Jenkin himself makes a short cameo appearance in the movie and discusses all this in an "extra" on the DVD.

So the title tells us the outcome, over about a 13 month period, the movie about how they did it is even more interesting than I had expected. The way each cell is are locked there is an inside door with bars and sandwiched to it is a solid steel door that opens to the hallway. Plus there are another dozen or so locked doors between the cell and freedom. Plus not all of them take the same key. Highly secure, realistically no way for a prisoner to escape ... or so they thought. Think keys made of wood.

I watched this at home on DVD from my public library, my wife started but it got too slow for her and she abandoned it. I find it a very good movie of a historically significant story, Radcliffe is very believable in the role as Jenkin.

"amper maar nie stamper"

[lebonajunius-43968 · 6/10 · 7 March 2020]

I really preferred National Geographic's "Breakout", episode "Freedom Fighter Escape" over this. As a South African myself, i agree with other reviews on accents of actors. The natgeo's documentary had far much better acting & edge of the seat moments than the movie.

Good movie but missed educational opportunity.

[scoote-41584 · 7/10 · 10 August 2023]

No spoilers.. While the movie in general was very good and kept me entertained till the end I thought they missed out on an opportunity. The movie was based on a true story of two anti-apartheid activists but gave little history or background into the anti-apartheid struggle or the movement. 98% of the movie was about the lead characters struggle to escape imprisonment. It seemed very reminiscent of escape from Alcatraz or The Rock. They really could've been in prison for any reason and the movie could've have still worked. It would've been much better if more background was given on the characters and their motivations as well as a historical background of South Africa and the struggle of the African people.

A very entertaining jailbreak movie

[casstevens-43612 · 7/10 · 7 July 2020]

I had high expectations for this movie when I first saw the trailer and I can tell you that I wasn't dissapointed . The story about a few anti- apartheid activists trying to escape Pretoria prison . The plot is easy to understand but the only thing that I Found a bit weird is that we really didnt get to know that much about most characters . It was all about the main goal of escaping . The movie is very entertaining and at some Points very tense . But at the end when they eventually escape , it felt like it all happened a little to easy . When they get out , they actually do make a lot of noise but nobody even heard or saw them sneak through the gate . When they got out , I really didnt think it was the end of the movie , but appareantly it was.

Outstanding! Just give it a chance

[reemhasan-58474 · 7/10 · 3 April 2020]

This movie could basically be rated more than just 7! It's really a touching movie that will keep u on ur nerves but guess what! U gonna enjoy that My only problem with the movie that u should wait till u get in the movie mood as it's kinda boring at the beginning and that's the reason I've rated with 7 stars

Good.

[Gubby-Allen · 7/10 · 2 April 2021]

A good film, slightly under marked on here. It is always exciting and keeps you engaged where it will go next.

The main issue is times given to the parts of the story. In a way the film ends at the most interesting part and given the true events could easily have gone on another hour.

It either needed an extra half an hour, it better an additional hour, with a slightly reduced ount of time on the prison, where it dragged a little.

But for what it did give, it was good and recommended.

Fans of A Man Escaped, Le Trou, Escape from Alcatraz, The Great Escape will love this heart pounding film.

[Fella_shibby · 9/10 · 8 March 2020]

The movie is about anti apartheid prisoners who hatch a plot to break out of a prison during the apartheid era in South Africa. It is heavily influenced by A Man Escaped n Le Trou, especially in terms of sheer minimalism. The acting is good but the lack of stereotyped sadist wardens n cops is missing. As a fan of prison escape films n especially the ones mentioned above, I liked this film.

Very well acted and directed

[yogeshevolution · 7/10 · 4 May 2020]

The movie is really good with all those suspense and keeping reality in check. It feels so close as real events of that time. Daniel Radcliffe is brilliant as well as others with him. The story is nice, thrilling and interesting. Enjoyed it.

An excellent Jail break thriller.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 8/10 · 21 March 2021]

I had my heart in my mouth for most of this film, based on true events it really did have me gripped, entertained, and on the edge of my seat for the moat part.

It's a fascinating, and important story, and shows the horror of apartheid in the Country, the brutal regime, and abhorrent racism that was normal at the time. The story is as baffling today as it was back then, how on Earth did they manage to break our of there in the way they did.

There sure were a lot of locks and keys!

Daniel Radcliffe is excellent I have to say, he does a great job, as do the whole cast.

Very good, 8/10.

Recommend with caution

[LazyLockdownLady · 6/10 · 25 July 2020]

I enjoyed it. But I enjoy most prison content. The accents were portrayed poorly. Tim and Leo (mark and dan) were the only two actors I was impressed with. The background was nonexistent if you didn't know about the moment before you probably still won't after. Recurring scenes from lazy writing. It felt at times scenes were cut down or non existent. The build up was more intense than the escape itself. But in a way that is a accurate presentation of life. You put the work in for little pay off. Kind of how the production team must be feeling. Its entertaining enough but definitely doesn't leave me gripped to my seat. Had the actors and landscapes been South African I would have rated higher

Typical Hollywood nonsense

[Audix_Dude · 1/10 · 20 September 2020]

Firstly, any South African will cringe at the terrible South African accents. They are on par with Dick van Dyk's "Cockney" accent in Mary Poppins. That the producers did not get any number of brilliant South African actors to play the smaller parts, kike that of the Magistrate for example's sake, beggars belief. One can understand that A list actors from other countries are needed for the main roles, and Daniel Radcliffe's accent was reasonable, but to wreck the entire film by stuffing it with people who absolutely butcher the accent is ridiculous.

The lack of any real South African accent literally spoiled everything although people not familiar with a proper South African accent would probably not be put off by that.

Then there is the deliberate Holywood political overkill of dressing the prison guards in black to look like the Nazi Gestapo. Prison guards wear brown.