Escape from Alcatraz

Year 2008Episode 360 minApr 30, 2008
Escape from Alcatraz

Alcatraz was the world's most impregnable prison: insurmountable walls, one guard for every three prisoners, a gun gallery at the end of every cell block, frequent inmate counts, constant search lights and the freezing waters of San Francisco Bay. But three prisoners believed they could achieve the impossible.

The brains behind the escape bid was Frank Lee Morris, known to have a very impressive IQ (played in the movie by Clint Eastwood). From the moment he arrived in Alcrataz, he began plotting his escape. Two and a half years later, three prisoners removed the grids in the rear of their cells, carefully replacing them with papier-mâché replicas. After many manoeuvres the men scaled a 15-foot fence, and hurried down to the island shore where they inflated rafts and life vests and ventured out into the Bay waters. 

Back at the cell house, during the routine morning count, a guard probed his club into one of the inmates' cells, and the dummy head rolled off the bed and onto the floor.  The alarm was raised. But despite the authorities' strenuous efforts to track them down, none of the escapees have ever been found. For years the FBI continued to try to find them, but to no avail. So did the men escape?

Bits of raft, life preservers and wooden paddles were later found in the bay.

In this episode of The True Story, we use remnants of the raft, and the knowledge of what materials were available to the prisoners at the time to recreate their escape. Placing three men on board who would have been the same weight as the escapes, will the raft survive the choppy waters? Will the men make it ashore? Or will they have to admit defeat and be picked up by the support boat?

Amongst various key interviewees, we speak with a fellow inmate, Darwin Coon, who was in Alcatraz during the time of the escape and helped provide the materials for it. We also speak to the wardens who were foiled by the escape and the FBI agents who tried to tack down the prisoners.

Escape from Alcatraz has aired on Apr 30, 2008 at 9:00 PM
Previous EpisodeNext Episode

Trailer

We do not have any trailers for this episode

Recently Updated Shows

Recently updated shows that might be of your interest.
The Real Housewives of Miami
Running

The Real Housewives of Miami

Excitement runs high this season as bothJoanna and Adriana plan their dream weddings, but not everything is smooth sailing as Joanna and Romain disagree about a pre-nuptial agreement and Adriana deals with the aftermath of her friends finding out the truth about her relationship with her fiancé. Lea finds new bonds forming and old friendships are put to the test as she tries to prove she is more than just a housewife. Alexia's focus remains on her two sons: Frankie who continues to make strides in his recovery from an automobile accident, and Peter, who is also going through some challenging times in his life. Even though Lisa struggles with fertility issues, she is determined to grow her family and will do whatever it takes to have a baby. Whether strolling down Lincoln Road or sipping mojitos on South Beach, these ladies prove why Miami is one of the sexiest and sultriest cities in the world on The Real Housewives of Miami.

Criminal Minds
Running

Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds revolves around an elite team of FBI profilers who analyze the country's most twisted criminal minds, anticipating their next moves before they strike again.

Dateline NBC
Running

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC presents in-depth coverage of news stories. Rather than just reading news reports, as most news shows do, the reporters for this show research their subjects and interview the people closely involved to create an informative work of investigative journalism.

GenreDrama
After the First 48
Running

After the First 48

After the First 48 revisits some of the most powerful cases originally featured on the First 48 and features exclusive interviews with detectives, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and families of victims. After the First 48 takes viewers through the dramatic and emotional inside story; from the investigation, to the murder trial itself, the verdict and beyond.

GenreCrime
Billy the Kid
Running

Billy the Kid

Billy the Kid is based on the life of famous American outlaw Billy the Kid, also known as William H. Bonney -- from his humble Irish roots, to his early days as a cowboy and gunslinger in the American frontier, to his pivotal role in the Lincoln County War and beyond.