The Alcatraz Escape: Boldest Prison Break in U.S. History | History's Greatest Mysteries (S5)

A perfectly masterminded plot leads to the most brazen prison break in American history. With only a handful of clues left behind, the search for the infamous Alcatraz escapees continues to this day. But is it really possible they survived--and if so, where did they go? Find out in this clip from Season 5, Episode 6, "ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ."

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The HISTORY® Channel is the leading destination for award-winning original series and specials that connect viewers with history in an informative, immersive, and entertaining manner across all platforms. The network’s all-original programming slate features a roster of hit series, premium documentaries, and scripted event programming. History’s Greatest Mysteries is a one-hour documentary series that examines the top theories surrounding the world’s most enigmatic unsolved mysteries. Hosted and narrated by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy Award® winner Laurence Fishburne, each episode unpacks these puzzles with contributions from top historians, authors, scientists, and researchers. From unsolved crimes to lost and buried treasures, and the deaths and disappearances of famous figures, History’s Greatest Mysteries will explore possible explanations to some of the world’s most confounding events.

[prasannabaruah]

The fact that they escaped from a so-called "Maximum security prison" and were never caught after all these years, deserves a little respect...even though they were criminals...

[MoltenUprisingMK]

Everyone loves a guy who defies the odds, even when that guy is a criminal.

[Perebynis]

I just want to believe that they made it. Greatest prison break in history.

[sophiacheeks]

So these men were Michael Scofield, Lincoln Burrows and Fenando Sucre lmao...totally genius

[eulaliorodriguez]

I love this history. I cannot get enough of this history. With a great documentary details.

[andyroid]

*_I know this story inside & out. I've been to Alcatraz & even spoke to a retired Alcatraz prison guard (now sadly deceased) about that escape. He said the escape was HUGE news back then. Anyway, It's such a great mystery & IT NEVER GETS OLD. I stil love watching that old 1970s Clint Eastwood movie 'Escape from Alcatraz'. To me, it was the best movie about a prison escape... and it remained the best... until the masterpiece known as 'Shawshank Redemption' was released._*

*_Anyway, thanks so much for posting._* 👍🏼

[wheelchairmanjon]

I have always been fascinated by this historical event. I’ve listened to books on it watch the movie all that stuff. This is so interesting to me.

[floydantonio]

This breaking out of prison is one of the best stories...

[metalhigh]

I don't find it so impossible that they made it to the shore. There's people that have swam there and back many times. Granted they weren't on a prison diet; but it can be done.

[dennyour]

I believe that people with such creativity and unique ways of solving problems deserve to be entrepreneurs. At least they have achieved more than other prison staff..

[undertakerfanz]

I wish the government would finally admit that they made it

[GADMUSIQVEVO]

These guys deserve an award 👏 come on yall know this ain't no walk in the park stuff 🤐

[danmartin]

They totally got away. Frank Morris was considered a genious - High IQ and the evidence supports their successful escape.

[philroe]

You left out the FBI reopening the case in 2019 because It was disclosed in January 2018 that a letter from John Anglin was received by the San Francisco Police Department in 2013 saying he was alive and dying from cancer in Minot, North Dakota.

[cedricvaz]

I remember seeing the Hollywood movie, "Escape from Alcatraz", starring Clint Eastwood when I was in college in the 1970's. It's USP for making it a hit movie was when they advertised "based on a true story". In any case the movie too was awesome and good ol' Clint Sir did a great job as an actor.! 👍👌

[niteshpanjwani]

'They love when an underdog wins' - Definitely!

[Sander_VK]

Christopher Nolan needs to make a film about this escape

[tyrone]

All 3 had goast and high alert and double time 😂

[lastdayonearthmysteryman]

They escaped and no one can convince me. Otherwise they did not die in the water.

[TELA-GAMING]

The Anglin family later produced documents and photos of the brothers proving they had made it. They had a clear photo taken in the 70s. There is a show about it.

It was explained that they had tied a rope to a prison boat and had it tow them across the bay.