Escape (1948 film)
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by John Galsworthy
| Escape | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph L. Mankiewicz |
| Screenplay by | Philip Dunne |
| Based on | Escape by John Galsworthy |
| Produced by | William Perlberg |
| Starring | Rex Harrison Peggy Cummins William Hartnell |
| Cinematography | Freddie Young |
| Edited by | Alan L. Jaggs |
| Music by | William Alwyn |
| Distributed by | 20th Century-Fox |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 78 minutes |
| Countries | United Kingdom United States |
| Language | English |
Escape is a 1948 thriller film directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. It follows a Royal Air Force World War II veteran (Rex Harrison) who goes to prison and then escapes and meets a woman who persuades him to surrender. The screenplay by Philip Dunne was based on the 1926 play Escape by John Galsworthy, which had previously been filmed in 1930.[1]
A former RAF squadron leader, Matt Denant, goes to Hendley, England to visit an airfield run by his friend Titch. Rodgers, an employee at the airfield, asks Matt to do him a favour by making a large wager on a horse. Matt does, but when the horse loses, Rodgers promises to repay him.
While Matt is strolling through Hyde Park, a woman strikes up a conversation, but Penter, a detective, charges her with unlawful soliciting. Matt intervenes on her behalf, but when the two men fight, Penter knocks his head on a park bench and is mortally wounded.
Matt is placed under arrest; he is then sentenced to three years in prison after Penter dies. Believing it an unjust punishment, Matt escapes. Inspector Harris of Scotland Yard is assigned to find him, while Matt takes refuge in the home of Sir James Winton, whose daughter Dora helps him hide.
Titch gives an aeroplane to Matt, enabling him to flee to France, but he is betrayed by Rodgers after the police offer a reward. Matt's plane is caught in a heavy fog and crashes. He survives and takes refuge in a farm. Dora finds him and professes her love, also persuading Matt that he must turn himself in to the law.
Cast
- Rex Harrison as Matt Denant
- Peggy Cummins as Dora Winton
- William Hartnell as Inspector Harris
- Peter Croft as Titch
- Stuart Lindsell as Sir James Winton
- Norman Wooland as Minister
- Jill Esmond as Grace Winton
- Frederick Piper as Brownie the convict
- Marjorie Rhodes as Mrs. Pinkem
- Betty Ann Davies as Girl in Park
- Cyril Cusack as Rodgers
- John Slater as Salesman
- Frank Pettingell as Constable Beames
- Michael Golden as Detective Penter
- Frederick Leister as Judge
- Walter Hudd as Defence Counsel
- Maurice Denham as Crown Counsel
- Patrick Troughton as Jim the shepherd