'Breakout' Real-life prison breaks deliver a jolt
"Prison Break" fans still feeling withdrawal pains since the cancellation of that long-running Fox series may alleviate at least some of their suffering by watching "Breakout," the new eight-part series premiering Sunday, March 28, on National Geographic Channel.
Granted, viewers who are jonesing for "Prison" hotties Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell are still out of luck, and while there are tattooed bodies aplenty, none of them is as elaborate (or plot-related) as the one borne by Miller's character. In almost every other respect, however, "Breakout" delivers the goods.
Produced by the same creative team as the National Geographic hit "Locked Up Abroad," the new series -- which continues its run on successive Wednesdays starting March 31 -- uses adrenalized editing, re-enactments and commentary from persons involved in the prison breaks to bring each story to life.
"The Texas Seven," the opener, chronicles the daring 2000 escape by seven inmates led by armed robber George Rivas (played in the re-enactment by David Bar-Shlomo) from the Connally Unit prison near Kenedy, Texas. After subduing and locking up 11 officers and prison workers and overpowering security tower guards, the inmates drove away on a getaway spree that lasted 43 days.
That's actually longer than most criminals remain at large because, as the series underscores, most fugitives fail to think beyond the initial escape. Once on the run, they are the quarry of a complex network of investigators who are fully aware that most criminals are creatures of habit who tend to repeat old patterns of behavior. Furthermore, once outside, their options for finding food and shelter are decidedly limited unless they begin committing crimes for cash or seek refuge with old friends or family members, who are usually under close scrutiny.
"Breakout" also does an excellent job of putting you in the shoes of prison guards, who go through their daily routines severely outnumbered by often violent men who are watching for the first mistake that will allow them to make their break.
Granted, viewers who are jonesing for "Prison" hotties Wentworth Miller and Dominic Purcell are still out of luck, and while there are tattooed bodies aplenty, none of them is as elaborate (or plot-related) as the one borne by Miller's character. In almost every other respect, however, "Breakout" delivers the goods.
Produced by the same creative team as the National Geographic hit "Locked Up Abroad," the new series -- which continues its run on successive Wednesdays starting March 31 -- uses adrenalized editing, re-enactments and commentary from persons involved in the prison breaks to bring each story to life.
"The Texas Seven," the opener, chronicles the daring 2000 escape by seven inmates led by armed robber George Rivas (played in the re-enactment by David Bar-Shlomo) from the Connally Unit prison near Kenedy, Texas. After subduing and locking up 11 officers and prison workers and overpowering security tower guards, the inmates drove away on a getaway spree that lasted 43 days.
That's actually longer than most criminals remain at large because, as the series underscores, most fugitives fail to think beyond the initial escape. Once on the run, they are the quarry of a complex network of investigators who are fully aware that most criminals are creatures of habit who tend to repeat old patterns of behavior. Furthermore, once outside, their options for finding food and shelter are decidedly limited unless they begin committing crimes for cash or seek refuge with old friends or family members, who are usually under close scrutiny.
"Breakout" also does an excellent job of putting you in the shoes of prison guards, who go through their daily routines severely outnumbered by often violent men who are watching for the first mistake that will allow them to make their break.
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