Question 1

What real-life prison escape inspired this film?

Accepted Answer

The movie was inspired by the 1971 helicopter rescue of Joel David Kaplan from a Mexican prison, orchestrated by lawyer Vasilios Basil Choulos.

Question 2

Which film pioneered the wide release strategy later used by Jaws?

Accepted Answer

This was the first major studio film released in saturation pattern, debuting at over 1,000 theaters with 1,300 prints in the U.S., a method soon used for Jaws (1975).

Question 3

Why was a French fortress used instead of a Mexican prison?

Accepted Answer

Director Tom Gries insisted no Mexican prison was suitably impregnable for dramatic impact, so filming moved to Fort de Bellegarde in the Pyrenees near Perpignan, France.

Question 4

What cultural interest did Robert Duvall develop during filming?

Accepted Answer

Robert Duvall became interested in gypsy culture while working with gypsy extras on set, later drawing on this experience when making Angelo My Love (1983).

Question 5

What's the basic plot of Breakout?

Accepted Answer

A bush pilot is hired for $50,000 to go to Mexico to free an innocent prisoner.

Breakout

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