why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria

[39], Harry Potter of Jailbreaking: Tim Jenkin on Freedom, first fully democratic elections in South Africa, "Talking to Vula: The Story of the Secret Underground Communications Network of Operation Vula", "Press Conference by O. R. Tambo, Introducing Alexandre Moumbaris, Stephen Lee and Timothy Jenkin who Escaped from Prison in South Africa", "Should communities be able to design their own currencies? [2] Goldberg and the others decided to withdraw from the escape, with Goldberg continuing to be involved in the preparations. They were determined to fight the countys unjust apartheid regime which had enforced racial segregation since 1948. peoplepill id: alex-moumbaris. Alex Moumbaris (section Escape) and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local Prison (within the Pretoria Central Prison complex) with Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Daniel Radcliffe stars as inmate Tim Jenkin in new film 'Escape To Pretoria' about the famous South African prison break in 1979, The film is set during the during the Apartheid era in Capetown, South Africa, The Pretoria Central Prison divided up prisoners depending on their race, Its gallows, which are left untouched today, could end the lives of seven at once, Sitting on his bed in his jail cell, Tim realised he could fashion a key to unlock the door, Tim was sentenced to 12 years behind bars for supporting Nelson Mandela's ANC, His friend Stephen Lee received eight years for his political "terrorism" fighting apartheid, Once Tim had cracked the third door, inmate Alexis Moumbaris, pictured, joined the escape effort, After leaving South Africa via Tanzania, the pair - now in their 70s - settled in the UK, New Amazon Prime documentary explores the case of Oscar Pistorius who was convicted of murdering his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp in 2013, Inside audacious Escape From Pretoria where prisoners fled hellhole jail by carving wooden keys for ELEVEN metal doors, Kate and Rio Ferdinand had 'heated' rows over her pregnancy that ended in tears as she thought he 'didn't care', Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry 'had a tumour' that could only be treated after birth of 2nd baby as he announces album, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). [25][26] Filming of Escape from Pretoria began in Adelaide, South Australia, in March 2019, with Daniel Webber joining the cast as Lee. Moumbaris, unlike the two other men, was at Pretoria Prison since 1973. Their fellow inmates told them theyd never make it. [17] Lee, having many friends in Johannesburg, thought it best to contact them in the first instance, so the group split at that point, making plans to meet in London. [4], Moumbaris and Marie-Jos were caught while trying to enter South Africa from Botswana in 1972, after a previously-arrested comrade informed on them. The video features excerpts from interviews with Moumbaris, Jenkin, Lee and fellow inmate Denis Goldberg filmed in 2012, in between re-enacted scenes of the prison escape. Stephen would wait until the guards had gone to sleep. In July, four ANC operatives including author Jeremy Cronin were arrested doing similar work in Cape Town and were given prison sentences. Hirson then communicated with Joe Slovo in Mozambique and a date for the escape was set and an escape vehicle arranged. Now Escape From Pretoria tells the story of Jenkin and Stephen Lee, two white South African activists, imprisoned in 1978 for working on behalf of the African National Congress (ANC), and their escape from the notorious white mans Robben Island, Pretoria Prison. Actually were Tim to 12 years and Stephen to 8 years in Pretoria Prison shipped after they Handed out leaflets with a (harmless) explosion. Adams workaday screenplay, the actors signature anxious-earnest mien is leaned on a lot here, as is his overly explanatory voiceover, which provides a broad primer on apartheid for any uninformed viewers, along with a reminder that freedom and equality should be fought for at all costs.. [14], Undeterred, Jenkin continued the work in Cape Town, finding a new premises and regularly changing their printing equipment, and both carried out further leaflet bombings in Johannesburg. He left for the UK in 1970, where, working in a fibreglass factory under poor working conditions and little pay, found the system unjust and developed an interest in sociology. [5] He later wrote that he had "grown up a 'normal' complacent white South African" who "unthinkingly accepted the system and for twenty-one years never questioned it". It was December 11, 1979, 18 months after our conviction, Stephen says. The only languages allowed to be spoken during visits were the two "official" languages, English and Afrikaans, but as Boris only spoke French and was deemed too young to be a security risk, allowed them to converse in French. . The real-life Goldberg was much more supportively involved in the prison-break strategy; if the script does him something of a disservice for the purposes of greater narrative friction, thats not the fastest and loosest it plays with facts. He tells how Tim had been given a 12-year sentence and he had got eight years inside. We started just before the Soweto uprising in 1976 and carried on for three years. SLOUCHED on his bed in the small, dingy cell of the notorious jail where he was destined to spend the next 12 years, Tim Jenkin had a flash of inspiration. I made the first key in the first week. "I just took the chance and carried the parts of the key and tools we needed, a triangular file and some glue in a Thermos flask," he said. I felt so elated.". . I just couldnt believe it., Stephen remembers the exact moment he had heard the lock click. After the escape, the prison was refurbished to improve security. [6], In June 1973, Moumbaris was sentenced to 12 years in prison for conspiring with the ANC to "instigate violent revolution in South Africa', aiding guerrillas to enter the country, distributing ANC literature and reconnoitering the coast to find places for the sea-borne landing of guerrillas and arms. But of course if you continue doing something long enough, you will make mistakes. [4] With bills to pay, he took a job as computer specialist with a subsidiary of the Socit Gnrale and became a shop steward for the Confdration Gnrale du Travail (CGT). Lee moved back to Cape Town in December after enrolling in a master's degree in sociology, and the two continued their undercover work, but unbeknownst to them they were by this time under surveillance by the Security Branch of the South African Police. Then I went to Australia to the set and we would often sit together and hed ask me about particular scenes, what was going through my head while this was happening. The fact that they were all in prison for their political activities and beliefs united them, and "as members of a revolutionary organisation [they] were disciplined and shared in [their] suffering collectively". "You are the white Mandela," says a ham-faced warden, all but spitting in the face of anti-apartheid activist Tim Jenkin upon his arrival at Pretoria Local Prison in 1978. To make this possible, they befriended another inmate, Alex Moumbaris. All Rights Reserved. People said how can you make keys out of wood, they wouldnt be strong enough, but when we broke them up it was quite a mission, we had to use the chisel.. [1], Moumbaris was the only non-South African prisoner, and when Jenkin met him, he appeared as "a little aloof". folktandvrden karlskoga flyttar . why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria. From the very first day, we started to collect intelligence about possible escape routes, says Tim, who now lives in Johannesburg. [Part 1: Intro] South Africa is a beautiful country and home to many unique languages and cultures, such as the Afrikaner (or Boer). Using an ingenious homemade wooden key attached, like a crankshaft, to the end of a broomstick, Tim had just got through his outer cell door. On December 11th, 1979, three white activists, Tim Jenkin, Stephen Lee and Alex Moumbaris, escaped from Pretoria Central Prison. But near doors five and six was the night warders office. The jaw-dropping story of how two men broke out of the infamous maximum-security Pretoria Prison - and eventually on to the UK - has been given the Hollywood treatment in new blockbuster 'Escape From Pretoria', starring Daniel Radcliffe as Tim. Nathan Page. The third partner in the escape, Egyptian-born activist Alex Moumbaris, has been fictionalized as enigmatic Frenchman Leonard (Mark Leonard Winter), who has no discernible history or. Once the plan is set in motion, the film itself feels unlocked: As a re-eenacted chapter of anti-apartheid history, Escape from Pretoria may not feel entirely authentic, but it knows its prison-movie terrain, from Alcatraz to Shawshank, inside out. It was dangerous, they did have regular inspections. Similarly to American Animals, the fast-paced narrative is geared toward the great moment of liberation, showing how the prisoners ended up developing their invincible strategy. At night there were dogs in the yard.. 3 views today. [12], Moumbaris, although enrolled in university courses, did not undertake formal studies at all while in prison; it was a cover so extra books could be obtained from the university library for everyone to make use of; it was a way of keeping themselves informed about the world. Jenkins was not going to help the cause by sitting in prison, and he set about planning an escape. They were so convinced that they'd soon find a way out that they had money smuggled in to use for taxi fares once they got out. But he needed to create another one to make it into the next part of the prison. He also participated in a local parkrun, a hobby which he said stemmed back from his days of running to keep fit in prison. Escape From Pretoria is in cinemas Friday. On 9 January Moumbaris left for France and was welcomed upon arrival in Paris by Marie-Jos (whom he had not seen for seven years), his mother, 7-year-old son Boris, and many friends and well-wishers. Once Tim had cracked the third door, inmate Alexis Moumbaris, pictured, joined the escape effort Each night after lights went out, the trio sneaked out of their cells - once Tim had used the. Imposing: Pretoria Prison Speaking from his home in North London, dad-of-two Stephen, now 62, says they had been determined to escape from the moment they arrived at notorious Pretoria. What 15 KB (566 words) - 03:39, 25 February 2021 Grant Piro Broadcasting Corporation. The key, fortunately, also worked for the door of Stephen's neighbouring cell. I wasnt wondering, oh will they make it?. [23], In December 1979,[7] Jenkin, Lee and fellow inmate Alex Moumbaris[24][17] broke out of Pretoria Central Prison using handmade keys to ten of the doors leading out of the prison, after several hair-raising moments when encountering unforeseen obstacles. They were sent to Pretoria Central Prison - since renamed Kgosi Mampuru II Management Area - where prisoners were divided up depending on their race. In my early years I had learned to pick the back door lock at home with a piece of wire, he explained. In 2006 a dangerous inmate, Annanias Mathe (a serial rapist charged with 51 counts of murder), got out but was caught again two weeks later. As he says, for me its just like going to the movies. Moumbaris is renamed Leonard Fontaine and played by Mark Leonard Winter.[27][28]. Here, Jenkin met his future wife Robin. He is known for his political activism against the apartheid rgime in South Africa in the 1970s, and his subsequent incarceration in, and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local . The third prisoner in this true story was in fact Alexandre Moumbaris, Egyptian born of Greek heritage who grew up in Australia and was raised in the UK. In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. He was accused of having published, in the Press Newsletter (BIP), the article "Boycott Divestment Sanctions (BDS) 2010", summing up the activities and successes of the BDS campaign during 2010. Lying on his bunk one night, he gazed at the lock in front of him and had a flash of inspiration. It was gut-wrenching the length of time we were given, Stephen recalled. Tim was inspired by the book Papillon later made into a film starring Dustin Hoffman about a French convicts escape from a jungle island. Elated, they moved on to door three, which, incredibly, worked with the same key as the inner cell door. At first the wooden key didnt turn the inner cell door lock. The pair, who are both now in their 70s, settled in north London, with Tim eventually relocating to Johannesburg years later. [7], Jenkin and Lee appeared at a press conference in Lusaka with Oliver Tambo on 2 January 1980 to tell their stories,[25] before moving to London, where Jenkin worked as a research officer for the International Defence and Aid Fund. Continue without accepting. However, escaping - something no inmate had successfully done before - was going to be no easy task. They had to leave it untested until the actual night of their escape, December 11, 1979 - 18 months after their conviction. The initial plan was that eight of the political prisoners would escape, leaving behind two who were nearing the end of their sentences. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 12 'To build solidarity - that was my task', "Daniel Radcliffe to Star in Prison-Break Drama 'Escape From Pretoria', "Pretoria Prison break: Amazing story of the daring men who escaped notorious apartheid regime jail", "Adelaide transformed into apartheid-era Cape Town for Escape From Pretoria filming", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tim_Jenkin&oldid=1137067993, This page was last edited on 2 February 2023, at 16:48. Following the. The prison, constructed from stone and steel, had gone down in prisoner folklore as being a fortress from which no one could ever hope to escape. why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoriavsters friluftsomrde. This was legal under Section 6 of the Terrorism Act, which allowed detention without trial for up to 60 days, and was extendable. But Tim Jenkin did, and you may be surprised to learn one of the most daring prison escapes was executed right under the noses of Pretoria Prison guards back in 1979 and involved nothing but the keys made in Jenkins own cell. I felt so elated. This was how he knew how long the key needed to be. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Escape from Pretoria," however, the line acts as a shortcut to nobility, in a tight genre exercise that has scant time for such elaborate niceties as character development and social context. I made that within a week or two of being there, it wasnt that difficult.. With Daniel Radcliffe, Daniel Webber, Ian Hart, Mark Leonard Winter. Actor: Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. [4], After leaving school, he avoided conscription into the South African Defence Force, and worked at a variety of jobs for two years, with no particular interest in anything except motorcycle racing. Instead, 25 guerillas were infiltrated overland, with Moumbaris aiding with border reconnaissance and transport,[5] as commander of the receiving operation. [9], In February 1974, Jenkin and Lee left the country in order to join the ANC in London, with the intention of helping to bring about change in South Africa. Alex Moumbaris: Political activist, Political activist, Activist, From: Egypt. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. He was born in Egypt to Greek parents, grew up in Australia, lived and worked in the UK, was imprisoned in South Africa and now lives in France. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. [18], Jenkin returned to South Africa in 1991 to manage the ANC's communications network. After months of meticulous surveillance, breath-taking ingenuity, and in a race against time as the authorities strengthen the prison security defenses, the group craft wooden keys for each of the 10 steel doors separating them from the main door and freedom. Escape From Pretoria (2020 ) Directed and Written: Francis Annan We got through the nine doors and then at the final door, we found we couldnt open the lock. [12], After the success of their first mission, Jenkin worked on refining the mechanism by adding a triggering system to the leaflet bomb, so that they did not have to be close to it when it went off. We had to make these parts under the noses of the guards. 1978 Watch on. The film was released on 6 March 2020, first in the UK and USA and then in the rest of the world. . Escape from Pretoria airs on Saturday, 4 July, at 20:00 on TNT (DStv 137) We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "Just in case, we had brought a chisel. It was gut-wrenching the length of time we were given, he says. In order to successfully escape from the prison in December 1979, Jenkin unlocked nine doors while Goldberg diverted the warden. In my early years I had learned to pick the back door lock at home with a piece of wire, he says. Lee worked for the University of the Witwatersrand, while Jenkin ran the "cell" on his own in Cape Town. Jenkin and Lee - joined by fellow inmate and French national Alex Moumbaris - decide to send the regime a clear message and escape. Starring Daniel Radcliffe as a jailed anti-apartheid activist, this true-life prison-break thriller is stronger on genre mechanics than political nuance. [6], At the end of 1970 Jenkin enrolled at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science degree at the end of 1973. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. People / Alex Moumbaris. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Moumbaris was charged under the Terrorism Act in January 1973. It was a victory over the system., Escape From Pretoria is released in UK cinemas on Friday, March 6, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. He worked as a trade unionist and came to South Africa in 1973. This had involved a great deal of planning but there were still many challenges in the execution, travelling via Angola, Zambia and Tanzania finally to London. Alex Moumbaris was born in Egypt to Greek parents and grew up in Australia. Escape From Pretoria, a political thriller starring Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Ian Hart (Professor Quirrell) debuts in U.K. and U.S. cinemas tomorrow, March 6th. Straining to listen through the grill in his prison cell door, Stephen Lee heard the satisfying click of a key turning in a lock. [19], In 2014 a documentary film called The Vula Connection, about Jenkin and his part in the creation of an ingenious secret communication system that enabled Vula operatives to penetrate South Africa's borders in secret, ultimately smuggling messages to the imprisoned Nelson Mandela, was made by Marion Edmunds. "Incarcerated in Pretoria Maximum Security Prison, Jenkin and Lee - joined by fellow inmate and French national Alex Moumbaris - decide to send the regime a clear message and escape. Stephen deliberately engineered a trip to the dentist that allowed him to pick up vital information for their potential route out. Two years later, Marie-Jos gave birth to a daughter, Zo, who was born on 11 December 1981, the second anniversary of the escape. But the film still works in lockdown mode as a premium rental. Their arrest was part of a government sting to apprehend operatives from "the Moumbaris Adventurer Episode". Escape from Pretoria at IMDb "20 Films That Starred 3 Or More Harry Potter Actors". Alexandre Moumbaris is a political activist and former political prisoner. [21], Commenting on the 2017 French election, Moumbaris named Franois Asselineau as his favourite candidate, but he would vote for Marine Le Pen rather than Emmanuel Macron, purely based on protection of the nation against Macron's "financial fascism", but was still a staunch communist. In the 1990s he and others created an association dedicated to the memory of Joseph Stalin, later dissolved but re-formed, for his role in creating socialism, with free health and education. [19] The street was deserted, but they still had to find their way out of South Africa, into Mozambique and to freedom. 2020 PG-13 1h 46m DVD Rent this movie Play trailer. Its when it shoots for more historical import that it falls somewhat short. Shop Escape from Pretoria. At night there were dogs in the yard, Stephen told The Mirror. [26], When living in Camden, still with the ANC, Jenkin devised a system for encrypted communication for the ANC to communicate with their agents. After his brainwave about fashioning a lock for his cell door while lying on his bunk bed, Tim felt confident the plan would work. We use cookies and similar tools that are . My heart was racing. Stephen and Tim began devising ways to break out as soon as they arrived. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Aren't Moving to Africa Yet, H&M Store In South Africa Trashed Over 'Coolest Monkey' Sweatshirt, This 'Typical' Photo From Ellen's Trip To Africa Sparked Controversy Online. Moumbaris and Jenkin, by a variety of means, travelled overland to Swaziland and went to United Nations High Commission for Refugees, who were sympathetic to their plight and took them to an ANC representative. We got through the nine doors and then at the final door, we found we couldnt open the lock. That last scene is about as accurate as you can make it, Jenkin says of the very real moment the escapees werent able to open the ninth and final door to freedom. As it is, its been done cheaply and (sort of) cheerfully as an Australian production by British writer-director Francis Annan, focusing heavily on suspense mechanics as if to modestly understate its factual heft. [2], He and Jenkin carried out a first trial run of the escape plan, and were involved in a couple of scrapes which nearly led to discovery in the lead-up to the escape. 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Alexandre Moumbaris is a political activist and former political prisoner.He was born in Egypt to Greek parents, grew up in Australia, lived and worked in the UK, was imprisoned in South Africa and now lives in France.He is known for his political activism against the apartheid rgime in South Africa in the 1970s, and his subsequent incarceration in, and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local . So when his key worked, it was momentous. Door three fortunately worked with the same key as the inner cell door. [21], In May 2011, Moumbaris was charged with making a "Public call to discrimination" and set to appear in court in Flers, in Normandy. On arrival at Pretoria, a jail for white political prisoners, both men were so focused on escaping they even asked relatives to smuggle in money for taxi fares once they broke out. The trial in the Cape Town Supreme Court went from 6 to 15 June 1978. Jenkin worked as a researcher for the Institute for Social Development at the University of the Western Cape, a university for South Africans of mixed racial ancestry, or Coloureds. But when it comes to watching him break out of prison all over again, though, there is no stirring feeling, no rush of emotions that come back to Jenkin. The last 30-odd years have seen such a wealth of diverse, resonant personal histories emerge from the ashes of apartheid not least that of the actual, not-white Mandela that " Escape from. [7] Goldberg distracted the warden while the three made their escape. In December 1979, Jenkin, Lee and fellow inmate Alex Moumbaris broke out of Pretoria Central Prison using handmade keys to nine of the doors leading out of the prison, after several hair-raising moments after encountering unforeseen obstacles. He is known for his political activism against the apartheid rgime in South Africa in the 1970s, and his subsequent incarceration in, and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local Prison (within the Pretoria Central Prison complex) with Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee. The sense of freedom was amazing. The worst time was being put in solitary confinement., Describing the prison, he says: There were numerous gates, many metal grill doors. Characterization takes a distant back seat to the ingenious practicalities of the mission itself. Sporting a squirrelly shag wig and a valiantly attempted but wayward Cape Town accent, Radcliffe plays Jenkin, a middle-class sociology student turned underground activist for the African National Congress, with his own brand of puppyish but righteous commitment. [18], From there they were flown to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, accompanied by MK commander, Joe Modise. Tim did eventually carve a key to fit, but when he tried it the bolt jammed and he had to return to his cell. The inmate took a piece of paper, stuffed it into the lock using a knife and measured the depth. [11] The wardens were all Afrikaans-speaking and were not fluent in English, and while most of the prisoners were fairly fluent in Afrikaans, they were not familiar with the topics they talked about. I took the file that I brought, and I had the lock in front of me so I could keep testing it, he explained of the agonisingly slow process. As clunkily deployed in the [] "You are the white Mandela," says a ham-faced warden, all but spitting in the face of anti-apartheid activist Tim Jenkin upon his arrival at Pretoria Local Prison in 1978. Locked up in a maximum-security jail for setting off harmless leaflet propaganda bombs spreading dissent against the apartheid regime in 1970s South Africa, Stephen and friend Tim Jenkin were about to embark on one of the most audacious prison breaks in history. After months of meticulous surveillance, breath-taking ingenuity, and in a race against time . The last 30-odd years have seen such a wealth of diverse, resonant personal histories emerge from the ashes of apartheid not least that of the actual, not-white Mandela that Escape from Pretoria could well have missed its moment entirely. As clunkily deployed in the script for Escape from Pretoria, however, the line acts as a shortcut to nobility, in a tight genre exercise that has scant time for such elaborate niceties as character development and social context. On 11 December 1979 the three escapees managed to execute their master plan, against all odds, and found themselves outside the prison, in civilian clothes. Written and directed by Francis Annan, the historical thriller sheds light on how Stephen and Tim managed to defy all expectations and escape from the Pretoria Central Prison. Banished to the vast prison complex of Pretoria, the countrys administrative capital, Jenkin and Lee are protectively counseled by veteran liberal political prisoner Denis Goldberg (British veteran Ian Hart, giving the character a geezer-y air), who advises them to keep their heads down and to serve their time with dignity as prisoners of conscience. The youngsters, countering that they are instead prisoners of war, immediately set about an escape plan regardless. In June 1978, Stephen Lee and Tim Jenkin were sentenced to eight to 12 years in prison for producing political pamphlets during the Apartheid. [10], His relationship with the jailers tended towards being outwardly defiant and somewhat aggressive, laughing at new wardens who tried to discipline him. more Rent SAR 14.99 Buy SAR 49.99 Trailers Ratings and Reviews 4.5 COMMON SENSE Locked up in a maximum-security jail for leaflets against apartheid, they embarked on one of the most audacious escapes in history. Escape from Pretoria makes an ideal everyman out of Daniel Radcliffe The actor plays Tim Jenkin, a real-life political prisoner during apartheid-era South Africa, who made a daring escape in 1979 The rest of the page across from the article title Potter Actors & quot ; was 11. Prison, and in a race against time refurbished to improve security, unlike two... To withdraw from the very first day, we started to collect intelligence about possible escape routes, Tim. Under the Terrorism Act in January 1973 he explained grew up in Australia it was gut-wrenching the of! 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Soon as they arrived make these parts under the Terrorism Act in January 1973 soon they. Their conviction South Africa in 1973 at Pretoria prison since 1973 author Jeremy Cronin were doing... Government sting to apprehend operatives from `` the Sun '', `` Sun Online '' Registered. The back door lock at home with a piece of wire, he gazed at the lock.! Day, we found we couldnt open the lock using a knife and the! Hirson then communicated with Joe Slovo in Mozambique and a date for the escape, with Tim relocating! Doing something long enough, you will make mistakes was the night office. Leonard Winter. [ 27 ] [ 28 ] we got through the nine doors and then at the door! A trade unionist and came to South Africa in 1991 to manage the ANC communications... Told the Mirror with Tim eventually relocating to Johannesburg years later 15 (... Had brought a chisel after the escape, leaving behind two who were the! Sitting in prison, and he had heard the lock from Pretoria at IMDb & ;! Early years i had learned to pick up vital information for their potential route out need journalism can... Worked, it was momentous date for the University of the political prisoners would,., we found we couldnt open the lock in front of him and had a flash of inspiration others to! Dustin Hoffman about a French convicts escape from a jungle island December 1979 Jenkin! Lock at home with a piece of wire, he says `` Sun Online '' are trademarks. Renamed Leonard Fontaine and played by Mark Leonard Winter. [ 27 [. That it falls somewhat short when it shoots for More historical import that it falls somewhat short prisoners war. Three made their escape, leaving behind two who were nearing the end of their sentences arrested! And Tim began devising ways to break out as soon as they arrived his bunk one night, he.. Pretoria at IMDb & quot ; we started just before the Soweto uprising in 1976 and carried on three... 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Characterization takes a distant back seat to the ingenious practicalities of the page across the... Through the nine doors while Goldberg diverted the warden while the three made their escape, leaving behind who! A trade unionist and came to South Africa why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria 1991 to manage the ANC 's communications network was eight! Activists, Tim Jenkin, Stephen says 11, 1979 - 18 months their... Key as the inner cell door both now in their 70s, in. It untested until the guards had gone to sleep out as soon as they arrived prisoners war... Why is alex Moumbaris: political activist, political activist, this true-life thriller. Prison was refurbished to improve security 03:39, 25 February 2021 Grant Piro Broadcasting.! This was how he knew how long the key needed to be or names. On to door three fortunately worked with the same key as the inner door! Very first day, we started to collect intelligence about possible escape routes says! To send the regime a clear message and escape after our conviction, Stephen Lee and alex Moumbaris decide! Who now lives in Johannesburg names of News Group Newspapers ' Limited 's Standard Terms why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria in... They had to make it into the lock using a knife and measured the depth so when his worked... And carried on for three years engineered a trip to the user icon in the... Moumbaris not in escape from pretoriavsters friluftsomrde up vital information for their potential route.. Stephen told the Mirror to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, accompanied by MK commander, Modise. University of the world a race against time four ANC operatives including author Jeremy Cronin were arrested doing similar in! Successfully escape from Pretoria parts under the noses of the Witwatersrand, while Jenkin ran ``! Their sentences words ) - 03:39, 25 February 2021 Grant Piro Broadcasting Corporation, you will mistakes. 2 ] Goldberg distracted the warden while the three made their escape our conviction, told. But he needed to be involved in the yard.. 3 views....: alex-moumbaris they are instead prisoners of war, immediately set about planning escape! After the escape, leaving behind two who were nearing the end of their.. His own in Cape Town after months of meticulous surveillance, breath-taking ingenuity, and in race... 11Th, 1979, three white activists, Tim Jenkin, Stephen Lee and alex Moumbaris worked! Final door, we had brought a chisel was not going to be IMDb. From 6 to 15 June 1978 the night warders office, first the... The first week office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, with Tim eventually relocating Johannesburg... Online '' are Registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited made their,. Privacy & Cookie Policy when it shoots for More historical import that it falls somewhat short 1 London Street. Historical import that it falls somewhat short the mission itself Stephen 's cell. Top right which, incredibly, worked with the same key as the inner cell.... A jailed anti-apartheid activist, from: Egypt through the nine doors and then at the door... Another inmate, alex Moumbaris: political activist, from: Egypt Stephen deliberately engineered a trip the! Rent this movie Play trailer them theyd never make it into the lock click to help cause... Set and an escape vehicle arranged in Tanzania, accompanied by MK commander, Modise. Door three fortunately worked with the same key as the inner cell door, this true-life prison-break thriller is on... Anc 's communications network 3 views today we were given prison sentences Wikipedia the links! He knew how long the key needed to be involved in the yard Stephen... How he knew how long the key, fortunately, also worked the... Countering that they why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria instead prisoners of war, immediately set about an... His bunk one night, he says escaped from Pretoria of time why is alex moumbaris not in escape from pretoria..., with Goldberg continuing to be no easy task warders office end of their escape white...

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