Essential Insights
- Now available on Netflix, Escape At Dannemora unveils the harrowing true events of a prison escape that you won’t want to miss.
- The series intricately explores the unethical connections between a prison employee and inmates, reminiscent of Netflix’s Jailbreak: Love On The Run.
- Tilly Mitchell, a pivotal figure in the story, was held accountable for aiding the fugitives and had questionable ties to them, despite her claims to the contrary.
The riveting true crime miniseries, Escape At Dannemora, has just arrived on Netflix, spotlighting the actual events surrounding a notorious prison break. Netflix consistently adds gripping true crime narratives to its library, and this 2018 Showtime triumph is sure to captivate enthusiasts of the genre. Spanning seven episodes, the entire series is directed by Ben Stiller.
This series boasts an impressive cast, featuring Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Arquette, and Paul Dano in key roles, all entwined in the complex narrative. Moreover, it resonates with themes from Netflix’s recent success, Jailbreak: Love On The Run, particularly regarding the inappropriate relationship between a facility worker and the inmates.
Escape At Dannemora Now Available on Netflix: The True Account of a Disturbing Prison Break
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Escape At Dannemora |
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Key Cast Members |
Benicio Del Toro, Patricia Arquette, Paul Dano, Bonnie Hunt, Eric Lange, David Morse, and Jeremy Bobb |
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Writers: Brett Johnson and Michael Tolken |
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Director |
Ben Stiller |
Escape At Dannemora narrates the true tale of Tilly Mitchell (portrayed by Patricia Arquette), a solitary seamstress working at the Clinton Correctional Facility located in rural New York State. She develops a sexual involvement with two murderers: Richard (played by Benicio Del Toro) and David, which leads her to assist in their escape from the high-security prison. This series meticulously details the events leading up to the daring escape and the subsequent fallout. Originally broadcast on Showtime in 2018, the series has gained renewed popularity on Netflix nearly a decade after the actual breakout occurred, reigniting interest in the case.
The Authentic Account Behind Escape At Dannemora
Richard Matt and David Sweat were convicted murderers serving life sentences who met while incarcerated. On June 6, 2015, both men executed a daring escape through a tunnel they had dug using tools they had procured. Before their getaway, they left mischievous messages for the guards that read:
You left me no choice but to grow old and die here. I had to do something.
Joyce ‘Tilly’ Mitchell played a critical role in their escape, aided by a guard named Gene Palmer. A manhunt ensued for the two, who were deemed armed and dangerous, lasting for nearly three weeks until Matt was located on June 26, where he met his end during a confrontation. Just two days later, David Sweat was apprehended far from the prison and sustained injuries from gunfire from a state trooper but survived, receiving an additional 7–14-year sentence for his role in the escape.
Joyce ‘Tilly’ Mitchell’s Account of Her Involvement with the Inmates
Joyce ‘Tilly’ Mitchell received a seven-year sentence for her role in aiding Matt and Sweat but was released after serving only four. In a 2015 interview with Today, she detailed her interactions with the two men:
Mr. Matt had grabbed me a couple of times and kissed me, and at one point, he wanted me to perform [a sexual act], to which I replied no. When I declined, he forcefully pushed me down.
Although she argued her stance, many inmates and guards suggested that her relationship with the men seemed consensual. Mitchell’s account appears to conflict with earlier statements made in the same interview:
I was experiencing a period where I felt unloved by my husband. I suppose they noticed my vulnerability. Their attention was flattering.
This complex scenario seems to indicate that both prisoners exploited a susceptible woman to further their escape attempts. Nonetheless, Mitchell had the option to report their actions instead of facilitating their flight. Adding to the narrative’s insanity, the inmates had devised a plot to murder Mitchell’s husband Lyle, a prison officer, which would have allowed Joyce to elope with them. However, she ultimately opted against it and chose to reaffirm her commitment to her husband.
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