Factual error: In the opening scene that shows San Francisco scenery there is a shot of a large TV tower called Sutro Tower. The film takes place in 1960 and Sutro Tower wasn't built until 1973.
Escape from Alcatraz (1979)
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Directed by: Don Siegel
Starring: Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau
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Before Shawshank Redemption and Prison Break, there was Escape From Alcatraz. A criminally underated film with a good cast and great plot (based on real events) The only downside is the lack of timeline explanation. We see at the start it's early 1960 and by the end of the film it's mid 1962. Would of been better to demonstrate this.
More mistakes in Escape from Alcatraz
Frank Morris: There's always the possibility that some asshole will be offended. Isn't there?
More trivia for Escape from Alcatraz
Question: When Frank is delivering books to inmates' cells, he reaches D block, but a guard stops him, and tells him they are not allowed in those cells. Were books really disallowed in D block cells?
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Answer: Those were the solitary confinement cells, with no light and no luxuries of any kind. So yes, they did not allow inmates on that block to have books.
This is inaccurate as a light in each cell was turned on at 6:30 every morning in solitary confinement at Alcatraz.