"Escape from Pretoria" (2020) is simple thriller based on a book of the same title that was published in South Africa 1987. As a movie (with actors who BTW have terrible Afrikaans accents) it's too much focus on boring routine how to escape from a South African prison during apartheid time. It also have a lot of still shots and close ups typical for TV/B movies with visible modest budget too. Like with any film that is "based on a true story" certain liberties are taken with the true to life events. Here, the real third partner in the escape has been fictionalized as Frenchman Leonard. But, comparing to the real event or real third person here he has no discernible history or proper motivation, while two real black helpers are marginal presented (at best). That is why this movie - as a re-enacted chapter of anti-apartheid history - may not feel entirely authentic, not to mention that movie was filmed in Australia not South Africa. As it is, it's been done cheaply but it's O.K. as a (106 min) rental during Corona pandemic.

Rating: 6- out of 10 (easily forgettable soon after the viewing)