Maze

Maze

source: Maze

No pun intended - also I don't think a prison escape movie has been called maze before. It does make sense though. This is based on a real story and there are a few things that happen that sound quite out there - no pun intended here either. Well acted and really interesting ideas - well I reckon that most were from reality - but that there was still some heightened element to it. I did not study the real case, so I can't say if or what differences there are. An escape thriller with quite a lot of suspense. Hopefully you can see it that way too.

A little slow for the first 2/3s and as an American, it was sometimes hard to understand the Irish accent. But overall, not a bad movie. I would have made the prison fight scenes a little more realistic.

This is Northern Ireland's "Great Escape." It takes place in 1983 following a hunger strike in a prison called "The Maze". Larry Marley (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor) if the IRA manages to talk his way into doing janitorial duties for the warden (Barry Ward). He maps out the facility and notices all the devices in place to monitor activity. He plans an impossible escape. This is a prison drama based on a true story. The ones with Sly Stone as an old guy were better. Interesting as a history. Guide: No sex or nudity. Don't recall any swearing.

The true events are far more compelling than the events depicted in this film. Why the producers went down this route is beyond me. As a fictional story it is quite a good film, but for anyone with knowledge of actual events it will be a disappointment.

I am disappointed, as an American, that I did not learn more about the Troubles from this movie. It's one of the reasons I watched it. Everything seemed to be skimmed over as if every viewer already had the knowledge needed. Wrong. I tried to figure out how I would make this movie better and I can't - because I am not Northern Irish (Scottish). I do think this was a lost opportunity. That's why the average score. None of the characters had depth, so we didn't really care about them. Maybe the Guard whose family was almost shot, but that's about it. Otherwise, can't tell you a thing about anyone else. How sad. How very sad for a missed opportunity to educate people to a VERY important period in Irish history.

Some may regard this movie as too slow-paced, but I thought it had enough suspense and tension to keep me engaged throughout. The acting from the 3 leads Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, Barry Ward, and Martin McCann was quite solid, and the film was ably written and directed by Stephen Burke. In some ways, the movie reminded me of the 1963 classic "The Great Escape".

Not being involved, I cannot comment on what truly went on in Long Kesh but were escape my plan, I doubt I would have stirred up trouble to bring attention to myself. I will admit that it is a little plodding, but I doubt establishing the plan was a quick thing. The republican prisoners seemed to be trying to get along with some of the prison officials and actually had more trouble from the Ulstermen in the facility, in the same block, who wanted to don orange suspenders and bang things while parading through the republican section. That is a move just asking for trouble and they got it - the republicans stayed and the Ulstermen were moved out. Once they got civilian clothes and the family visits they desired, they seemed to be model prisoners while quietly making arrangements for escape. This does not have the action and drama of "In the Name of the Father" but well worth seeing. BTW, I have heard the Region 1 DVD will not be made available in the US, but if you have the Comcast X1 platform, it is available for rent or purchase. I believe it became available on 6/25. A different and slower pace, with names not as well known as Bobby Sands and some of the other hunger strikers, but a worthy view anyway.