Escape From Alcatraz: The German Super 8mm Release
Although we have featured a couple of Universal’s Super 8mm releases here on the archive, this is the first time we have featured Clint’s 1979 film Escape from Alcatraz. It was of course his last collaboration with director Don Siegel and the pairs last film of the golden 1970’s.
This 3 x 400ft set is the German release from Paramount’s Marketing Film Club. Reel One was titled Die Stunde Null (The Zero Hour), Reel Two was Mut Der Verzweiflung (Courage of despair) and Reel Three Die Todeszone (The Death Zone). Their Catalogue Nos were NR 1086. 1087 and 1088. Each reel would run for approximately 18 minutes, providing just under an hour of home entertainment.
What’s particularly interesting is the box art for Reel One – which features Frank (Eastwood) and his fight with Wolf (Bruce M. Fischer) in the exercise yard. In the film Frank removes his coat to use on his arm for protection – the box art clearly shows Frank wearing his coat, indicating that this was either taken during a rehearsal or simply as a publicity shot. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen this photo used to tie-in with any other Alcatraz publicity.
These reels are pretty hard to find these days. As the home cinema format which preceded the videocassette tape, not many survive and can demand between £20 -£40 per reel.
Below: Frank defends himself from an attack by Wolf – using the coat on his arm.
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