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The Escapist Details

2008 Certificate 15
  • Rated:
  • 60
  • from 11,706 members

Frank Perry is an institutionalized convict twelve years into a life sentence without parole. When his estranged daughter falls ill, he is determined he make peace with her before it's too late. He develops an ingenious escape plan, and recruits a dysfunctional band of escapists - misfits with a mutual dislike for one other but .. Read more

Starring Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge
Director Rupert Wyatt
Genres Thriller

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The Escapist

Frank Perry is an institutionalized convict twelve years into a life sentence without parole. When his estranged daughter falls ill, he is determined he make peace with her before it's too late. He develops an ingenious escape plan, and recruits a dysfunctional band of escapists - misfits with a mutual dislike for one other but united by their desire to escape their hell hole of an existence. Much of the action takes place within the tunnels, sewers and underground rivers of subterranean London.

Starring Brian Cox, Joseph Fiennes, Liam Cunningham, Seu Jorge, Dominic Cooper, Steven Mackintosh, Damian Lewis
Director Rupert Wyatt
Studio CONTENDER ENTERTAINMENT GROUP
Run time DVD: 1 hr 42 mins
Certificate Certificate 15
Collections 100 Hot Hits
Genres Thriller
Language DVD: English
Released DVD: 09 Feb 2009
Production year: 2008
Format DVD

  • Most helpful member's review of The Escapist

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  • 149 out of 150 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 4 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    British Prison Break

    'The Escapist' tells the story of a life-sentance serving prisoner (the brilliant Brian Cox) who hatches a plan to break out of prison when he learns of his daughter's illness. Don't expect high octane thrills. Though suspenseful and atmospheric (prison life here is grim and the setting is more like a medieval dungeon than a modern-day prison), 'The Escapist' is more of a meditation on the human spirit than your standard prison-break thriller. That's not to say there aren't moments of high tension in Cox's escape with his band of fellow convicts - their journey through the subterranean rivers and tunnels of London being particularly claustrophobic and riveting - but the director and screenwriter here has a different, more moving story to tell. Hopefully, it won't be giving too much away to say that things aren't quite what they seem, and the conclusion to the film is both haunting and thought-provoking. A sterling cast of supporting actors includes an almost unrecognisible Joseph Fiennes as a prison hardnut, a rare good role for Dominic Cooper, the likes of Seu Jorge and Steven Mackintosh, and a chilling performance from Damian Lewis. Although there are some disturbing moments of brutality you should rent and watch this if you enjoy thoughtful, well-acted drama and British film-making at its best.

      • Jon Duckworth from Nottingham, England
      • Posted 17 Nov 2008 21:34

  • Most recent members' review of The Escapist

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  • 5 out of 5 people found this review helpful

    Rated - 3 stars [Highly rated reviewer]

    Brian Cox is superb

    A decent full length role after all the bit parts here a nd there and he doesn't disappoint and shows what cinema has been under-utilising. The film jumps between the escape and the lead up to the escape to explain how and why all the escapees are involved. There are various twists and turns on the way with the usual last minute obstacle, everyone does a good job with Joeseph Fiennes reigning himself in as the strong silent violent type (with Ralph doing a good job as a criminal lord in In Bruges theres a good opportunity for the two of them to do crime movie together). The prison is run by the prisoners and the guards are constantly turning a blind eye if not ably aiding the prisoners mete out their own justice or just getting their thrills, hopefully thats just part of dramatic license.

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Rating breakdown

11,706 Member ratings
  • 100
356
  • 90
313
  • 80
1,900
  • 70
2,281
  • 60
3,278
  • 50
1,295
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1,130
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364
  • 20
541
  • 10
248

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      • Frank Perry is an institutionalized convict twelve years into a life sentence without parole. When his estranged daughter falls ill, he is determined he make peace with her before it's too late. He ...