"Train to Alcatraz" is a frustrating B-movie. Despite having a cast of mostly no-name actors, it really is incredibly tense and exciting. But, sadly, the writing sometimes is pretty poor--with logical and dialog issues that could have been resolved given a minor re-write.
The film is set on a train headed to Alcatraz prison. There are regular passengers and prisoners in their own well guarded car...and you KNOW by the end of the movie the prisoners are going to make an attempted escape. When it does finally arrive, the film heats up and becomes incredibly exciting. But as for the writing, the women in the film are written horribly. The lady who is trying so hard to see the prisoners because she feels sorry for them is pretty dumb-- as is the reaction to the guard she keeps bothering to 'get a peek'. You sure would think this would arouse SOMEONE'S suspicions as well as the other woman. Yet, inexplicably, no one seems to notice...and the women are quite illogical throughout the film...and completely unnecessary. Sad...but in spite of this the film is worth seeing.
