Escape from Pretoria
(Momentum Pictures)
By Lucas Allen
With everybody stuck at home during the quarantine, some people would imagine themselves in prison, planning that big escape. Fortunately, there’s a new entry in the prison break drama in the tradition of “Escape from Alcatraz” and “The Shawshank Redemption.” Much like the former, “Escape from Pretoria” is based on the true story of an infamous prison break that took place during a turbulent era in global history.
In the late 1970s, South Africa at that time was facing turmoil with apartheid. Two young activists, Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Weber), brought attention to the issue by activating explosives filled with pamphlets in a crowded street. Authorities quickly arrested them and sentenced them to maximum-security prison Pretoria. Immediately upon arriving there, their lives become a living hell in the hands of the tough warden, Mongo (Nathan Page).
After being shown around the place by the elder inmate and fellow activist named Denis Goldberg (Ian Hart), the two men start devising a plan to make a quick escape. Unfortunately, the place is carefully guarded and watched over at night by both Mongo and the other guards. So, Tim uses some ingenuity of his own by creating wooden keys that can help him get through the locked areas. Another inmate, Leonard Fontaine (Mark Leonard Winter), soon joins Tim and Stephen in their plan has they try to make their perfect escape with a bit of luck on their side.
The movie certainly has an interesting true story that can be seen as a timely reminder about the current political climate we’re in. It deals with corruption from within the system and anybody who believes they’re above the law. Tim and Stephen both represent outsiders trying to bring some good back into an unlawful world. While it may not be as good as the other films in this subgenre, this film still works as a message film for a current generation.
But the most diminishing thing about the movie is how it doesn’t dramatize the story enough. It’s basically a predictable, by-the-numbers escape drama as if the writer couldn’t find a way to expand it beyond being an average prison film. All it tries to do is create enough tension throughout to make us care about the main characters and their plan. It needs to create more stakes to make the true story more interesting and entertaining enough. It’s still fine for any average viewer, but film fans would rather go back to the classics.
The acting, however, remains a high point, especially from some of its leading actors. Radcliffe proves once more he’s a committed and hard-working actor willing to challenge both himself and his longtime fans. Though he’ll always be known for playing Harry Potter, he’s at his best when he goes above and beyond as an actor.
“Escape from Pretoria” is an admirable but ultimately very average entry in the prison break sub-genre. It’s fine as an easy distraction from what’s happening outside, but it doesn’t have a long shelf life as its own movie. Still, it’s worth watching only once, especially while you’re waiting for the quarantine to get lifted.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: PG-13 (for violence, language, and some disturbing material)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 2.75 Stars (Out of Four)
