Clint Eastwood delivers a superb performance in this thriller. He portrays Frank Morris, a bank robber held captive within what’s presented as one of the nation’s most secure prisons, constantly watched by the intimidating warden Patrick McGoohan. It doesn’t take him long to realize his only real focus is getting away. Along with Clarence and John Anglin, played by Fred Ward and Jack Thibeau respectively, he develops a complicated scheme involving the prison's utility tunnels and some homemade rafts to cross San Francisco Bay. Because the actual events are known, the outcome isn’t really a surprise – which does lessen any feeling of suspense within the script; however, this is also what makes Eastwood so captivating—his careful planning, cleverness, and sharp intelligence are fascinating to observe, even if it occasionally feels a bit slow. He has to navigate some conflicts with other inmates, particularly “Wolf” (Bruce Fisher), who seems intent on causing trouble, but that doesn’t divert him from his objective. Beyond the escape plot, Don Siegel provides a fairly thorough look at prison life near the end of this aging structure's existence; we see the constant boredom and hopelessness experienced by many prisoners, which can evoke some compassion—despite the reasons they were incarcerated. What Siegel doesn't quite manage is to make full use of McGoohan’s abilities. His characteristic restrained acting style is present, but not often enough to create a real sense of threat. Ultimately, though, it belongs to Eastwood, and he truly shines.

Source on TMDB