The Prisoners who Used Fake Heads to Escape Alcatraz

There are some prisons so dark, so terrifying, they look like they’ve come straight out of a horror movie.
One of the most infamous of these is situated in San Francisco Bay, a mile off the coastline on its own little island, designed to securely incarcerate the most dangerous men convicted in the USA and ensure they had no chance of ever escaping.
The name of the prison was Alcatraz.
During its use as a federal prison, some of Alcatraz’s most famous residents included Alvin ‘Creepy’ Karpis, the original Public Enemy number 1.
The deranged and deeply violent “Birdman of Alcatraz: murderer Robert Stroud, who incidently, was not allowed to keep any birds in his cell on Alcatraz, as a punishment for being caught distilling alcohol at his previous prison.
And of course, the most infamous of them all, the tax-dodging gangster, Al Capone.

But the inmates who escaped from Alcatraz, the only men to ever succeed and make it off the island, were none of these.
Instead, it was a comparatively small-time career criminal named Frank Morris, and two bank-robber brothers, John and Clarence Anglin who etched their names in history as the Prisons only ever escapees, with a fourth collaborator, Allen West, failing in his part of the attempt.

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Credit:
Created by Daniel Turner (B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Script Writer: Natasha Martell
Narrator:

Chris Kane

[harrypalmer]

Mythbusters recreated this escape and successfully made it to shore, proving it was possible that these men did make it.

[LolPlayz]

This story is told in the highly acclaimed film “Escape from Alcatraz” Starring Clint Eastwood, released in 1979.

[BenneGamez]

Alan was a true legend, his sacrifice will never be forgotten

[manuelacosta]

The aura of ambiguity regarding their fates only makes this incident all the more noteworthy if not legendary.

[Virtual-Playground]

I was there 2 weeks ago, they cutted a lot of the stories they used to tell, I went there 2 year ago and it was much different, I think the pandemic hit it hard. It's a great experience highly recommend to visit the island

[Geniusinventor]

Can we all take a moment to appreciate the work that prisoner has done to escape Alcatraz?

That prisoner gave us an amazing story.

[Masada]

It’s quite interesting how so many people have positive feelings about them. I imagine that has something to do with the movie and them being seen as underdogs

[MarshallRedmon]

I believe that they escaped successfully because I remember something from the popular television series Mythbusters and they proved that it's possible to escape from *The Rock*

[skyden]

"The greatest trick the devil ever devised was to convince the world that he did not exist."
This sentiment could be applied to Morris and the Anglin brothers in perspective of their success in escaping Alcatraz. You don't go advertising your survival of an escape attempt if those looking for you think you're already dead.

[lexiheart]

I've heard this story over a dozen times & I still love it.

It's worth noting that the Anglin's family claims to have received postcards, including a picture, from the brothers in South America. The FBI is still looking for them apparently. If they're still alive they'd be in their 90s.

I think they made it.

[Bigchilezlife]

Do “The Battle of Alcatraz” it’s a hostage situation that must be remembered

[ThePoster-nosyT_hcnerF_http]

My favorite Alcatraz story is when four men shoot through hordes of zombies. Such a classic.

[lostpockets]

I seriously doubt anonymously sending mother's day gifts is really a prank...

[marvelgeek]

You guys should do a video on The Battle of Alcatraz. While it wasn’t actual battle, it was a prison riot, It’s referred to as such since the army was called in to quell the riot.

[erintheangry]

I'm willing to bet if home boy had an IQ of 130 and busted out, he'd be smart enough to disappear properly. Probably purposely left the gear behind specifically TO be found.

[Thomas-rlxd]

Please do a video on the battle of Delville wood. As a South African it would be truly amazing to see our troops remembered on this channel.

Thank you...

[hmm]

Ok got to be honest... the fact they made a raft out of raincoats and (probably) successfully escaped is much more impressive than the heads. I him seen the irl heads, not very realistic

[davidcanadian]

I remember watching a documentary on the escape and retired FBI agents said this kept them up at night. They seemed pretty convinced they made it

[bhiei]

Great story, and story telling, cheers

[Alexmaine]

Like the video the only Inaccuracy I noticed What is The one carbine rifle Which is a semi automatic rifle was depicted as a bolt action