About This Quiz
Do you know which film star played convict Frank Morris, or what the three escapees used to construct their raft? Remember what the warden secretly threw into the water at the end of the film? See if you have the know-how to earn a perfect score on this "Escape from Alcatraz" quiz!
A little over a mile off the coast of San Francisco sits Alcatraz Island. A former lighthouse and military garrison, it became a military prison in 1868, and the location was so perfect for confinement that in 1934, Alcatraz was transformed into a federal prison. Its remote location, surrounded by icy water and sharks gave the place a reputation as inescapable and made it an ideal spot for the government to send prisoners who were too difficult or out-of-control for other institutions.Â
In the nearly 30 years that Alcatraz housed prisoners, at least three dozen men attempted to escape. Almost all were killed or immediately captured, but in 1963, three men -- Frank Morris, Clarence Anglin, and John Anglin -- managed to slip away. Well ... maybe. The three were never found, and it's not clear whether they drowned in the frigid waters of the bay, or made it to freedom and lived out their lives.Â
A 1963 book about the daring escape became the hit 1979 film, "Escape from Alcatraz." Think you remember everything about this classic movie? Take our quiz to find out!
The term supposedly goes back to the 18th century and is not unique to the film. Andy Dufresne's character in "Shawshank Redemption" is called "fresh fish" too, when he first arrives in the prison.
Morris got reprimanded his first day for not buttoning his shirt up to the collar.
Alcatraz is an island and made of almost solid rock. It is nearly impossible to tunnel out.
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Morris hides a small chipping tool inside the bible. No one will question his reading material.
Morris puts the mouse in his pocket later when he attempts to escape. An inmate with a pet mouse also appears in "The Green Mile."
The Warden tries to exercise his control and power over the prison while meeting with Morris face-to-face in his office. Intimidation is his goal but he seems to fall flat.
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Morris has no friends or family, but others take advantage of the privilege.
The clippers are on the desk and Frank shows his resourcefulness by stealing them. It also shows he can outsmart the Warden.
Wolf is an aggressive inmate who likes to impose power over the others; he usually threatens with physical violence.
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There is emphasis on the physical barriers of the prison, but little to bar intelligence; Morris comes up with a very well thought-out plan to escape.
Frank Morris actually spent time in prison in several states before Alcatraz: Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana.
Wolf asks him this in the shower and gets rejected in front of other inmates. Morris puts soap in Wolf's mouth.
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Morris meets an inmate who runs the library and is of assistance to him later on in his plan to escape.
English gets to know Morris and the two men grow a mutual respect for each other.
Doc excels in painting and uses it as a mental escape from the prison; he respects Morris.
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It shows he is still growing and thriving and despite being jailed, he still has hope.
English invites Frank Morris to sit with him there and befriends him. It proves helpful to Morris later.
The carpentry shop allows Morris to scheme and plot his escape. It offers opportunities for tools.
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Morris makes friends in prison through subtle gestures. Doc's artwork and painting become valuable tools for escape.
This is solitary confinement in the dark. No one wants to go to "D Block."
The Anglin brothers (John and Clarence) were part of the real life escape from Alcatraz. They arrived at Alcatraz within months from each other.
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Litmus is a fan of Morris; he's also a very successful mouse trainer!
Charley is a high-energy person who is befriended by Morris; he also acts as a look-out for Frank.
English suspects Frank is up to something, but he does not get intentionally involved; he assists without realizing it.
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The painting depicts the Warden with an expression that is not flattering. The Warden then orders all of Doc's painting materials to be removed.
Doc is depressed and chops his fingers off in front of the other inmates; Morris witnesses the ordeal.
The flower showed Doc's inner optimism; giving it away reveals his hopelessness.
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Butts seems proud of his stealing experiences as he describes to Morris what landed him in prison.
English has a very compassionate side and it is clear that his family is important to him.
There are frequent references to the sub-standard food provided in the prison. Probably not much gourmet dining is done there.
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Morris employs several other inmates to help gather the necessary materials to carry off an escape. Their jobs in the prison provide some access.
Morris needs something large enough to cover the hole he is creating in the wall so he lays the accordian down in front of it.
Frank needs to create a life-like dummy to put in his cot so he can test his escape route. The guards will think he is asleep.
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Morris discovers he needs to unscrew a metal covering that will lead him to the roof in his escape route; the fan will serve his purpose.
The Warden discovers that the flower is not indigenous to the area around Alcatraz. When he finds it, he recognizes it as the same type Morris had in the prison.