Films about prison breaks have always attracted the attention of viewers. They captivate with their dynamics, amaze with the ingenuity of the main characters and keep them in an exciting tension until the final credits. Despite its narrow focus, films about prison escapes delight with genre diversity - it can be serious crime films, touching dramas, and even funny comedies.
What films about jailbreak can be highlighted? Russian, American, French - all of them are equally good. Films on this subject have been shot a lot. In this article we will try to make a list of the best recommended for viewing by many movie connoisseurs.
List of the best jailbreak movies
Based on the ratings of the popular Kinopoisk and IMBD sites, the best jailbreak films have been determined . The list is as follows:
- "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994).
- "Count of Monte Cristo" (1953).
- "Escape from Alcatraz" (1979).
- The series "Escape" (2005).
- "Gentlemen of Fortune" (1971).
- The Great Escape (1963).
- The Cold-blooded Hatch (1967).
- The Moth (1987).
- "Tango and Cash" (1989).
- The Hole (1960).
Films that have become classics of the genre
Films about prison breaks that have become classics of the genre:
- "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994).
- The Cold-blooded Hatch (1967).
- "I am a runaway convict" (1932).
- "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998).
"The Shawshank Redemption"
What is the name of the jailbreak movie that leads in all ratings? Of course, this is "Shawshank Redemption." It is unlikely that there will be a person who has not seen or heard of this film, this is a classic of world cinema, widely recognized and loved by millions of viewers.
This is a screen version of 1982 Rita Hayworth and the Rescue from the Shawshank, written by American writer Stephen King.
The main character - Andy Dufrain goes to Shawshank prison for the murder of his wife and her lover in a fit of jealousy. He refuses to admit his guilt and receives two life sentences: one for each of the victims. Faced with the brutal realities of prison life and the impunity of jailers, Andy did not lose faith in life and hopes of salvation and came up with an incredible plan to escape from the impregnable walls of Shawshank.
The film was shot by Frank Darabonte in 1994 and to this day ranks first in all ratings and lists of the best films of all time.
"Cold-blooded Luke"
The main character is serving lines for petty hooliganism, but his steep disposition and desire for freedom add problems to him: his term extends for hooliganism and attempts to escape. However, this does not break Luke, and he again plans to escape from prison.
"I am a runaway convict"
The protagonist is being punished for robbery - hard labor in the southern United States. Not wanting to put up with such a fate, he escapes and arrives in Chicago, where he becomes a successful entrepreneur.
"The man in the iron mask"
The middle of the 17th century. France suffers from poverty and wars fired by Louis XIV. Dartanyan and three loyal musketeers - Athos, Porthos and Aramis - come together to free the mysterious prisoner from the Bastille, which will help revive France.
Soviet and Russian films about jailbreak (list)
Russian and Soviet films are also worthy of attention. The following films can be distinguished:
- "Gentlemen of Fortune" (1971).
- "High Security Vacations" (2009).
- "Escape from the Gulag."
- "Escape" (2011).
- "The Comedy of High Security" (1992).
"Gentlemen of Fortune" (1971)
The cult Soviet comedy about misadventures of a simple, good-natured kindergarten teacher who, by the will of fate, has to impersonate a criminal authority. He instills confidence in the rest of the gang members and escapes with them in order to find the stolen artifact - the golden helmet. The film has an extraordinary flavor and many funny scenes that have been spread into quotes.
"High Security Vacations" (2009)
Prison authority and a former policeman escape from prison. Once at large, they get a job as pioneer counselors at the Junga summer camp.
"Escape from the Gulag"
The real story of the escape committed by a German prisoner of war from Kolyma, where he served 4 years. In 1949 he managed to escape: Clemens covered 14 thousand kilometers and three years of wandering in Siberia and Central Asia, before he could find freedom.
"Escape" (2011)
This is a Russian adaptation of the popular American series about the architect. He ends up in his own designed prison to save his brother from the death penalty.
American jailbreak movies
The best include:
- “Three days to escape” (2010).
- The Plan of Escape (2013).
- "Tango and Cash" (1989).
- "Prison Break" (2008).
- "Escape is impossible" (1994).
"Three days to escape" (2010)
The main character, John, single-handedly raises his son, while his wife is serving a term for a crime that she did not commit. All the evidence points to the guilt of the spouse, and judges and lawyers say that there is no hope for the release of the woman. But John strongly disagrees with them and is doing his best to free his wife so that she can find evidence of her innocence.
"Escape Plan" (2013)
A talented designer of protective systems undeservedly goes to jail. He has to plan an escape from the prison he designed and find the people who set him up. In this, his cellmate Emil helps him.
"Tango and Cash" (1989)
The film was shot jointly by two directors - Andrei Konchalovsky and Albert Magnoli. Tango and Cash cops are a serious pain for Los Angeles criminals. The bandits decide to remove the obstacle in their path and substitute the police, throwing corpses to them. Tango and Cache are being arrested, and the only way to clear their reputation and escape punishment is to escape from arrest and find evidence of their innocence.
"Prison Break" (2008)
A popular American series about the talented engineer Michael Skolfield, who committed a bank robbery to go to jail, where his brother is serving his sentence. Having understood the matter, Michael realizes that his brother is innocent, and he was framed by secret services. Under the guise of a prisoner, he settles in with his brother in order to realize the escape plan together.
"Escape Is Impossible" (1994)
John Robbins goes to jail for killing his commander. The prison is located on an isolated island with no escape routes. This does not stop the main character, and he plans to escape.
Real-Life Movies
There are great jailbreak movies based on real events. These include the following:
- The Hole (1960).
- "Sentenced to death fled, or the Spirit blows wherever he wants" (1956).
- The Great Escape (1963).
- "Escape from Alcatraz" (1979).
- "Escape from Sobibor" (1987).
The Hole (1960)
The film was shot based on the novel by Jose Giovanni, who wrote it under the influence of events that actually happened. In the middle of the 20th century, in a prison in France, a young prisoner was temporarily locked up in a tight cell with four comrades preparing to escape. At first, they keep the escape plan secret from the newcomer, but he quickly enters into confidence and becomes a member of the gang breaking through the tunnel through the wall in the cell.
"Sentenced to death fled, or the Spirit blows wherever he wants" (1956)
French drama is a laureate of the Cannes Film Festival. The film is based on autobiographical recordings of the prisoner of the Monluc prison Andrea Devigny.
The end of World War II. The main character goes to prison for resistance to the Nazis during the capture of the city. Despite the danger of being caught and executed for the escape and skepticism of his cellmates, he stubbornly continues to prepare for flight.
The Great Escape (1963)
In the midst of World War II, the Nazis put prisoners of war in a reliable and impregnable prison, from which it is impossible to escape. This does not stop prisoners from Canada, America and Britain, who, joining forces, make a grand escape from German captivity. The film was shot on the basis of real events.
"Escape from Alcatraz" (1979)
The picture is based on real events and tells the story of one of the most incredible and major escapes in criminal history. For 30 years, Alcatraz was considered the most impregnable prison - until it was crossed by bank robber Frank Morris.
"Escape from Sobibor" (1987)
The film is based on events that occurred during the Second World War. A prisoner of war, the Soviet lieutenant Pechersky, enters the Polish concentration camp. Joining forces with Jewish prisoners of war, he leads the escape operation, which ends with the successful release of a dozen victims of the fascist regime. After this incident, the concentration camp was closed.
Escape cartoons
Toy Story: The Great Escape (2010). The protagonist of the previous parts, Andy grew up and went to college. Favorite toys were abandoned at home alone. Naturally, they do not want to gather dust on shelves and organize a large-scale escape. Their goal is kindergarten.
"Wallace and Gromit 4: Shaving Headless" (1995). Baby Gromit is accused of stealing sheep and sentenced to imprisonment. Wallace, a talented inventor, sets off to save a friend.
"Escape from the chicken coop" (2000). British animated comedy about the escape of birds from the poultry farm, which is constantly threatened with death from the mistress Mrs. Tweedy.
New Prison Break Films
"Django Unchained" (2012). Events take place in the mid-19th century in the eastern United States. Django is a black slave whose cruel owner sold it at an auction separate from his wife. Django is kidnapped by a German dentist, as it turned out, a bounty hunter. He offers yesterday's slave to kill the Brittles, for which he promises freedom. After a successful deal, Django goes in search of his wife Brumgilda, who must be freed from slavery.
Grand Budapest Hotel (2014). The film tells about the incredible adventures of the legendary Grand Budapest hotel manager Gustav M. and his young assistant, the receptionist Zero Mustafa. During the bloody wars of the mid-twentieth century, a wealthy girlfriend of Gustav M. dies under mysterious circumstances. , and her family begins a fierce struggle for inheritance.The name of the hotel manager is listed as heirs, and rich children decide to imprison him in order to get rid of a competitor. His faithful clerk comes to the rescue It creates a clever escape plan.
Island Escape Films
"The Island" (2005). In the near future, a resident of the village of Lincoln and a woman, Jordan, win a lottery living on an island with the best environmental situation in the world. Once there, they understand that this is a prisoner from which it is impossible to escape.
"Count of Monte Cristo" (2002). The film is based on the novel of the same name by Alexander Dumas. Edmond Dantes is imprisoned on the island of If Castle, where he is serving an undeserved punishment. The main character manages to escape from there and find treasures that will help him to take revenge on all offenders.
Moth (1973) is a very successful jailbreak movie on an island. A safe cracker goes to jail for a murder he did not commit. After several unsuccessful escape attempts, the protagonist, nicknamed Moth (nicknamed for the butterfly tattoo on his left chest and for his thirst for freedom), finds himself on an island of prisoners, which is impossible to escape from. But the Moth does not stop it, and he is trying to break free from imprisonment.
The article listed the best jailbreak films. The list is not yet complete. Everyone can add it at their discretion.