Product Details

• Actors: Griffin O'Neal, Raul Julia, Teri Garr, Joan Hackett, Gabriel Dell
• Directors: Caleb Deschanel
• Writers: Melissa Mathison, Stephen Zito
• Producers: Francis Ford Coppola, Fred Roos
• Format: NTSC
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: LIONSGATE
• DVD Release Date: June 22, 2012
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000ANVPWE
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,452 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "The Escape Artist" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Young Danny's father was known as "the greatest escape artist, second only to Houdini." When Danny leaves home to follow in his father's footsteps, he finds himself in trouble with a small town's corrupt mayor (Desi Arnaz) and the mayor's conniving son (Raul Julia) in this touching family comedy from executive producers Fred Roos and Francis Ford Coppola.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky Film Worth Checking Out November 10, 2005

By David Baldwin

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

Francis Ford Coppola formed Zoetrope studios with the intent of offering offbeat fare that otherwise would not have received financing by the major studios. This was an eminently noble goal but ultimately it was films like this that did not find an audience or widespread distribution that bankrupted Coppola. This should not be an impediment to any adventurous viewer in checking this film out. Though highly imaginative in part the film's central premise is somewhat slight involving a young magician (Griffin O'Neal) who picks the pocket of the ne'er-do-well son(Raul Julia) of a town's corrupt mayor(Desi Arnaz). What elevates the film is terrific performances by the actors not the least young O'Neal. O'Neal in the title role is magnetic and projects a worldliness that betrays his youth. I can't recall O'Neal in any subsequent films but I do recall his involvement a few years later in a tragic boating accident that took the life of Coppola's son. Julia is terrific as well in a part that a lesser actor would have overplayed. Interesting supporting roles include Jackie Coogan("The Addams Family") as a magic shop owner and Gabriel Dell(the Dead End Kids as O'Neal's uncle. Teri Garr, however, is criminally wasted in the role of Julia's girlfriend.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Childhood Dream Come True May 23, 2005

By K. Foster

Format:DVD

One of the first films I saw as a child and I loved it - a true masterpiece. I only ever saw it once and I made a lifelong promise to myself to see it again. Now I hear it may soon go to DVD and the suspense of such a prospect is almost too much to bear! It's a fantastic film, a real treat and a classic well worth adding to any DVD collection.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Amazing movie - great acting on all parts September 16, 2008

By Stein

Format:DVD

The Escape Artist is a fascinating story about a boy who uses his skills as an escape artist and magician to get revenge on the small town that imprisoned and killed his father. The cast include Raul Julia, Teri Garr, and Desi Arnez, all of whom turn in rich performances. Griffith O'Neal, son of Ryan O'Neal, actually trained with magicians and performed the tricks shown on camera. The music score is worth buying by itself.