Escape from Pretoria

Name: Escape from Pretoria
Genre: Thriller
Released: March 6, 2020
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 56
Cast: Adam Ovadia, Adam Tuominen, Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, David Wilson

2020

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 7 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	Your Score
6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Ratings

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Escape From Pretoria

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Movie Details & Credits

Momentum Pictures | Release Date: March 6, 2020 | PG-13

Starring: Adam Ovadia, Adam Tuominen, Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, David Wilson, Grant Piro, Ian Hart, Jeanette Cronin, Mark Leonard Winter, Martin Ayles, Nathan Page, PJ Oaten, Ratidzo Mambo, Stephen Hunter

Summary: Two white South Africans, imprisoned for working on behalf of the ANC, determine to escape from the notorious white man's 'Robben Island', Pretoria Prison.

Director: Francis Annan

Genre(s): Thriller

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 106 min

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Critic Reviews

Lorry Kikta

Mar 6, 2020

I highly recommend this film to everyone but especially those who love biopics and prison thrillers. I think it’s important for people to learn this piece of history, and I’m glad that Francis Annan brought his interpretation of these events to an audience that might not be familiar with them. Read full review

Noel Murray

Mar 5, 2020

This procedural quality to Escape From Pretoria — combined with an accomplished cast that includes Ian Hart as the anti-apartheid prisoner most opposed to Jenkin’s plan — adds some oomph to a movie that features limited sets, a simple story and none of the Hollywood polish of The Shawshank Redemption. Read full review

Guy Lodge

Mar 6, 2020

Francis Annan’s film works effectively as a straight-up jailbreak thriller, well-oiled in greasy B-movie tradition. It’s when it shoots for more historical import that it falls somewhat short. Read full review

John DeFore

Mar 6, 2020

Star Daniel Radcliffe will be the biggest draw here, but the pic's focus on planning and genre mechanics over personalities may limit its appeal for his fans. Read full review

Wendy Ide

Mar 9, 2020

A pacy screenplay, co-written by director Francis Annan and adapted from a book by Jenkin, rarely flags, but it’s the nervy camera, hugging the characters at hip height, the better to scrutinise each locked barrier to freedom, that most successfully builds the tension. Read full review

Simon Abrams

Mar 10, 2020

Almost everything that’s enjoyable about Escape From Pretoria is a variation on stuff you’ve probably seen in superior prison movies, though Radcliffe’s haunted performance is exceptionally compelling. Read full review

Empire Ben Travis

Mar 3, 2020

Despite an inherently cinematic story and some effective sequences, Escape From Pretoria struggles to transcend a clunky, one-dimensional script. Read full review

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User Reviews

Breo2019

Jun 14, 2020

This movie kept me wondering what the heck was going to happen, my nerves were running in my body, highly recommend it.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MarkTakayama

Sep 21, 2020

Amazing escape! Even Harry Potter can't do it! LOL. Seriously, this was an interesting movie. I also learned racism called Apartheid in South Africa. It made me feel researching many things on Google!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LadySparre

Mar 20, 2020

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This based on a true story thriller had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire movie. The story of Tim Jenkin's daring Escape from a 12 year sentence for spreading anti-apartheid propaganda sheds a light on the on the racist atrocities of the government in general and of the prison systems in particular.
Daniel Radcliffe plays the political activist Tim Jenkin, and Daniel Webber (The Dirt) plays his mate Stephen Lee.
Mark Leonard Winter is especially noteworthy in his role as the French prisoner Leonard, who only get to see his son for 30 minutes a year.(we'll get back to that)
Ian Hart (Harry Potter and the philosopher's stone) is the wise elder political prisoner, who has the system well and truly pegged for what it is.
But the truly great performance is by Nathan Page who is Mongo the personification of the archetype sadistic and racist prison guard that visually enjoys the violence and degradation of especially black or coloured inmates.
And his clear satisfaction in cutting short the 30 minutes visit of Leonard's son, is a key point in storyline.
As talking is prohibited at night, the dialogue is sparse, but this is soon forgotten as Visual long pans, close-ups and points of view cleverly replaces the would be dialogue. Especially the very close up takes of "Tim" masterly tells the story of the Terror he's hiding within
See this movie!! The cinematography alone is worth it!!
And the story is cleverly adapted by Francis Annan from Tim Jenkin's book It's readily available on various streaming services, as most Cinemas are currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

nockeby

Mar 7, 2020

I was on the edge of my seat! Hard to believe it’s a true story. A very cleverly directed film, highly recommend.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

FilmFlickCritic

May 28, 2021

Not a bad watch at all. Movie keeps you on edge as the characters prosceed to jump the hurdles that are put infront of them. Very underated cast, while the movie dose not particularly build on them but on escaping the prison itself, all characters do there part. Radcliff and Heart alwaysNot a bad watch at all. Movie keeps you on edge as the characters prosceed to jump the hurdles that are put infront of them. Very underated cast, while the movie dose not particularly build on them but on escaping the prison itself, all characters do there part. Radcliff and Heart always good to watch.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JLuis_001

Mar 17, 2020

Perhaps this is the most solid effort from Daniel Radcliffe to demonstrate that he definitely doesn't want to be remembered only for having played Harry Potter.

In all honesty, he will never succeed with that, but efforts like this one are appreciated. Escape From Pretoria isn't a filmPerhaps this is the most solid effort from Daniel Radcliffe to demonstrate that he definitely doesn't want to be remembered only for having played Harry Potter.

In all honesty, he will never succeed with that, but efforts like this one are appreciated.

Escape From Pretoria isn't a film that exhibits depth but it was quite entertaining.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Mauro_Lanari

Jan 12, 2021

(Mauro Lanari)
Rather limp since the jailbreak thriller is at the expense of the prison movie and the escape plan prevails over the penitentiary condition from which the protagonists intend to escape.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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