Escape from Pretoria (2020)

Premise
"Escape from Pretoria" is a 2020 political thriller directed by Francis Annan. The film is based upon a real story, as informed in the 2003 book "Inside Out: Escape from Pretoria Prison" composed by Tim Jenkin. Embed In South Africa throughout the apartheid period, it concentrates on the story of 2 white South African men, Tim Jenkin (Daniel Radcliffe) and Stephen Lee (Daniel Webber), who are sent to prison by the apartheid-era South African government for dealing with behalf of the African National Congress (ANC), advocating versus partition and racial discrimination.

Beginning
The film starts with Jenkin and Lee dispersing handouts calling for an end to apartheid. They are promptly jailed and sent to Pretoria Maximum Security Prison. In spite of withstanding harsh conditions and ruthless treatment they defend their beliefs and decline to be silenced.

Escape Plan
Jenkin and Lee prepare their escape after they understand the harsh reality of the apartheid jail system. Jenkin research studies the locking system of the doors, making wood secrets from scratch. The plan involves opening a series of doors throughout the jail, then going out the main gate without arousing suspicion.

Execution of Plan
They are taken part their strategy by fellow prisoner Leonard Fontaine (Mark Leonard Winter). After lots of trials and adjustments, Jenkin handles to produce a set of secrets that work. One night, they initiate their escape, moving through the prison and unlocking each door. They deal with many barriers and close calls but manage to avoid capture.

Climax
The tension increases to fever pitch when they reach the last gate and discover their secret does not fit. They operate in a frenzied panic to customize the secret while guards patrol nearby. In a suspenseful minute, they lastly open the last gate and escape the jail premises.

Consequences
When outside, the adrenaline doesn't stop as they race through the surrounding streets, on continuous alert for patrolling officers. They get into an occupied house to alter clothing and maintain their cover. Astonishingly, they manage to reach the safety of the British embassy and protected passage to London.

Conclusion
"Escape from Pretoria" ends with the news of their effective escape relayed across the nation, significantly humiliating the apartheid routine. The movie concludes on a note of hope, showing the release and forgiveness of other political prisoners following the taking apart of apartheid, while historic video of Nelson Mandela's release is revealed.

Crucial Reception
"Escape from Pretoria" got favorable evaluations from critics, praising Daniel Radcliffe's efficiency and the movie's thrilling atmosphere. However, others noted a lack of depth in the story and character advancement. In spite of its minor defects, the film tries to correctly depict the tension and danger associated with the daring real-life jail escape while also highlighting the grim truths of the apartheid-era South Africa.

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