They then photocopied it and swapped it with other students. [1], Moumbaris was the only non-South African prisoner, and when Jenkin met him, he appeared as "a little aloof". He tells how Tim had been given a 12-year sentence and he had got eight years inside. Dirigida por Francis Annan y con Daniel Radcliffe en el papel principal, est basada en el libro que el mismo Jenkin escribi relatando la horrible experiencia vivida poco antes de los 80, cuando fue apresado. They were determined to fight the countys unjust apartheid regime which had enforced racial segregation since 1948. Escape From Pretoria follows the months-long construction of an escape plan formulated by South African apartheid activists Tim Jenkin, Stephen Lee, and French national Leonard Fontaine (substituted for Egyptian-Australian activist Alex Moumbaris). 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. My heart was racing. 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. [19], By escaping, Moumbaris had reduced his sentence by five and a half years. [18], From there they were flown to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, accompanied by MK commander, Joe Modise. It's not intended as a compliment: "The most deluded of them all," the warden adds, lest it be taken as such. Stephen and Tim had to open 11 doors in total, some right next to the guards' office. 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. If youve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with theMetro.co.ukentertainment team by emailing uscelebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page wed love to hear from you. But of course if you continue doing something long enough, you will make mistakes. [31][32] In 2013, the story of the prison escape was dramatised in the 7th episode of the 2nd season of Breakout, a television series made by National Geographic TV channel dramatising real-life prison escapes. He worked as a trade unionist and came to South Africa in 1973. They would contain simple messages, urging people to support the liberation movement. Eenmaal onder de vleugels van politiek activist Denis Goldberg besluiten ze om, samen. When the night came, Denis Goldberg, a political prisoner who would serve 22 years, distracted the guards. They became friends and, in a South African version of Samizdat, Jenkins and Lee sought out literature banned by the ruling National Party. 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. [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. . . Stephen and Tim, 64, whose story is told tonight in Breakout on the National Geographic Channel, were supporters of Nelson Mandelas ANC who had been put under surveillance by South Africas secret police for their clandestine activity. He was visited in prison twice a year by his mother and young son, Boris, from France. [25][26] Filming of Escape from Pretoria began in Adelaide, South Australia, in March 2019, with Daniel Webber joining the cast as Lee. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. I wasnt wondering, oh will they make it?. Yet fellow prisoners, who had already spent years locked up behind the six-metre high barbed-wire perimeter fence, poured scorn on their ambitions. Its not intended as a compliment: The most deluded of them all, the warden adds, lest it be taken as such. "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. su amigo Stephen Lee y a Alex . 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. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. They were both found guilty on one charge, with Jenkin receiving a 12-year sentence and Lee eight. He would then lean out of the tiny opening next to the door of his cell, and get the key inside the lock with a broomstick and a mirror. Moubaris went to the USSR for training. One of the intending escapees, Denis Goldberg, communicated with comrades in the ANC through coded letters sent to Baruch Hirson in London. Jenkin and Leejoined by fellow inmate and French national Alex Moumbarisdecide to send the regime a clear message and escape. 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. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. In July, four ANC operatives including author Jeremy Cronin were arrested doing similar work in Cape Town and were given prison sentences. [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. 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 Prison. Escape From Pretoria, the political thriller Annan co-wrote and directed, is based on a 1987 memoir by Tim Jenkin, in which Jenkin relates his 1979 escape from Pretoria Central Prison,. Ready to find out more about the real story Escape from Pretoria is based on? Following the. [27] A decade later Jenkin also created Clearing Central, a 2nd tier exchange for moneyless exchange between groups. The film was released on 6 March 2020, first in the UK and USA and then in the rest of the world. It was December 11, 1979, 18 months after our conviction, Stephen says. [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. [2] He started associating with African National Congress (ANC) exiles and beginning in 1967, he travelled in and out of South Africa transporting literature for the movement. It was a wonderful feeling.. Others were also caught, but they succeeded in infiltrating a number of trained militants. Stephen would wait until the guards had gone to sleep. Escape from Pretoria is a 2020 Australian prison film co-written and directed by Francis Annan, based on the real-life prison escape by three political prisoners in South Africa in 1979, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Daniel Webber. The video features excerpts from interviews with Jenkin, Lee, Moumbaris and Goldberg filmed in 2012, in between re-enacted scenes of the prison escape. [35][36] Filming of Escape from Pretoria began in Adelaide, South Australia, in March and April 2019, with Daniel Webber joining the cast as Lee. "Just in case, we had brought a chisel. He became instrumental to the escape plan in several ways, making the early suggestion any escape plan would have to involve the making of keys,[7] providing a hacksaw which he had secreted after plumbers had left it behind,[8] and getting involved in some of the riskier aspects of the planning and testing of the scheme. The Sun website is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. [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? But near doors five and six was the night warders office. Lying on his bunk one night, he gazed at the lock in front of him and had a flash of inspiration. 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. Especially the ending of the film we had to break the final door, we were hoping to pull off the ultimate escape without leaving a trace. [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. Elated, they moved on to door three, which, incredibly, worked with the same key as the inner cell door. 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. As our central trio trace a taut treasure trail of keyholes and cupboards, Annans direction settles into a smooth groove of high-tension setpieces, teased out to breath-suspending effect. Tim and Stephen were hauled off to a special "European" section called "The Local" for white inmates which housed up to 22. Fortunately marks on the wood showed where the key was jamming, so Tim knew which parts to file down. He returned to France after his escape. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Alex Moumbaris (section Escape) and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local Prison (within the Pretoria Central Prison complex) with Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee. The lifelong supporters of the Nelson-Mandela-led African National Congress, they strove to mobilize the people to abolish segregation. "We were right underneath an armed guard but he didnt see us. Director Francis Annan and his co-writer L.H . He discovered to his horror that there were ten doors they had to make it through. In prison they met Denis Goldberg and on Alexandre Moumbaris - not on Leonard Fontaine. [7][8], Jenkin met Stephen Lee in a sociology class at UCT. Alex Moumbaris was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment on the 20 June 1973, which he started serving in the Pretoria Local Prison. The French Communist Party published a press release in his support on 20 May 2011. Again Tims ingenuity was tested. In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. [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". "You get back to your cell and youd think, 'OK, its over, I can relax' but you couldnt.". The pair ended up behind bars in the South African city of Tshwane in 1979 due to their roles as white supporters of Nelson Mandelas then-banned African National Congress (ANC). It was not until the following morning that the warders realised the three men were missing. It couldnt be reached by his cell, so he had to gradually fit that second key to size doing stints cleaning the corridor during prisoners' chore times. It's not intended as a compliment: "The most deluded of them all," the warden adds, lest it be taken as such. Escape From Pretoria (2020 ) Directed and Written: Francis Annan I was so worried it was making a tremendous noise. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Alexandre Moumbaris is a political activist and former political prisoner. The moment we heard the knocking on the door, we knew that was it, Tim told The Times. There were numerous gates, many metal grill doors. Speaking to Metro.co.uk about learning the news Radcliffe would be portraying him, Jenkin (who was sentenced to 12 years in prison) said the A-list casting came as a surprise. Tiene 72 aos y ha escrito varios libros. It was dangerous, they did have regular inspections. Breakout, exclusive to National Geographic Channel, Fridays, 9pm. Success came after many long nights of painstaking effort and risk. We has skype chats, he wanted to learn about the character and the accent, Jenkin, now-71, explained of the study Radcliffe did to ace his portrayal. As such, they were brought to the attention of South Africa's secret police. 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[15] Both of them and Lee felt throughout the sooner they got out, the greater the chances of being discovered; the others warned against impatience but agreed the participants should as far as possible be in control.[16]. This was how he knew how long the key needed to be. It was hugely emotional. From the jail they took trains, hitchhiked and walk 25 miles to make it to the border of Swaziland - now called Eswatini. The sense of freedom was amazing. Select Your Cookie Preferences. Moumbaris was the only non-South African prisoner, and when Jenkin met him, he appeared as "a little aloof". Jenkin and Lee, furious about being imprisoned for their thoughts, wanted to escape to prove to the world their differences, and of course, to fight for democracy in their country. The inmate took a piece of paper, stuffed it into the lock using a knife and measured the depth. [Part 1: Intro] South Africa is a beautiful country and home to many unique languages and cultures, such as the Afrikaner (or Boer). [3], On 23 October 1973, the matter of possible theft of documents from the Clapham Common home of Moumbaris and his wife was raised in the UK parliament by Labour party MP Alex Lyon. I felt so elated. "We would go to crowded bus stations and markets and leave them. 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. Nick Fentons editing, meanwhile, maintains a keen sense of physical space and strain, not least in one comically queasy scene where a dropped key must be retrieved with the aid of a broomstick and chewing gum. There was also a six-metre high barbed-wire perimeter fence. In December 1979, Jenkin, Lee, and fellow inmate Alex Moumbaris successfully escaped from the prison with Jenkin unlocking nine of its doors while Goldberg distracted the warden. He had big plans to shoot Escape from Pretoria in South Africa a couple of years ago, but the money fell through. At night there were dogs in the yard.. He is best known for his 1979 escape from Pretoria Local Prison, along with Stephen Lee and Alex Moumbaris. We use cookies and similar tools that are . This led him to learning more about the injustice in his own country. There was only one guard on duty and he was chatting to Denis, said Stephen, recalling how he kept him distracted. All of them imprisoned for underground work on behalf of the . 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. It was suspected South African agents may have raided the home for documents to use in Moumbaris' trial. Jenkin was born in Cape Town and educated at Rondebosch Boys' Prep and Boys' High School, matriculating aged 17. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. "[This] was hugely emotional," Stephen described The Daily Mirror how the first breakthrough made him feel. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He reconnoitred the East Coast from Kosi Bay to East London in the course of his trips. Tim, the technical expert of the pair, had devised a way of scattering banned leaflets by using explosive linked to a timer and detonator inside a carrier bag. But as Stephen would soon find out on a vital reconnaissance trip to the dentist, there were still a total of 10 doors separating them from freedom. 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. A massive police operation was launched to recapture the convicts, but by that time Stephen and Tim were on their way out of South Africa, to safety in the UK. [14], Moumbaris was allowed to see the French envoy from time to time, who would assure him he was doing everything within his power to secure his release and persuade the authorities to let Marie-Jos visit him. From the very first day, we started to collect intelligence about possible escape routes, says Tim, who now lives in Johannesburg. [2] In 1995, Jenkin wrote a 6-part article series called Talking to Vula: The Story of the Secret Underground Communications Network of Operation Vula. Escape from Pretoria. Their arrest was part of a government sting to apprehend operatives from "the Moumbaris Adventurer Episode". There was an effort to rebuild the armed wing known as Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK), and a plan was hatched by Oliver Tambo, Joe Slovo and/or Moses Mabhida, with the help of the South African Communist Party[2] to land 25 combatants plus arms via a boat previously purchased by the ANC, the Adventurer (or Avventura[4]), on the Transkei coast via the Indian Ocean from Somalia. After that they made it to Mozambique, Angola, and then on to Europe. We got through the nine doors and then at the final door, we found we couldnt open the lock. 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. They caught us with printing equipment. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Meanwhile, it may struggle to find much of a fanbase in its own country of setting, where audiences might reasonably wonder why at least one South African actor couldnt have been cast in a principal role. The system was never cracked and helped the ANC coordinate in the run up to Nelson Mandela's release from prison. folktandvrden karlskoga flyttar . [2], In March 1988, Moumbaris was at the side of ANC Chief Representative Dulcie September in 1988 when she was shot and killed outside the office in Paris. He returned to France after his escape. They moved to London in 1961,[1] where Moumbaris worked for the IT department of Reuters-Comtel. But we got away with it. Here, Jenkin met his future wife Robin. We had . We had to make these parts under the noses of the guards. This time they came up with a plan to leave dummies in their beds, sneak downstairs, hide in a cupboard and wait for the warder to go upstairs. While cleaning their corridor outside, Tim got his second key to fit but the bolt became stuck. We would spot the night warden and your heart is just pumping," said Tim. [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. Just supporting the liberation movement was deemed to be terrorism.. In June 1978, Stephen Lee and Tim Jenkin were sentenced to eight to 12 years in prison for producing political pamphlets during the Apartheid. [33][34], In May 2017, it was announced that production would start on a film of Jenkin's book, produced by David Barron and starring Daniel Radcliffe as Jenkin and Ian Hart as Goldberg. [18], Jenkin returned to South Africa in 1991 to manage the ANC's communications network. Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. 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. In September, he and Lee hung a 10-metre-long banner with the words "ANC LIVES" from a high building in the centre of Cape Town, along with a timed device which distributed hundreds of leaflets over the crowds below. The arrests at Liliesleaf and convictions which followed at the Rivonia Trial in 1963-4 were followed by widespread roundups of activists and leaders, including Bram Fischer and Wilton Mkwayi. Sketchy as it is on human details, Escape from Pretoria gets by on such practical nuts and bolts. and 1979 escape from, Pretoria Local Prison (within the Pretoria Central Prison complex) with Tim Jenkin and Stephen Lee. I wanted to go back and do it again, as we hadnt opened that door before., He says: We escaped it a number of times in fact, each time going a bit further, the actual [final] escape was the easy part.. A lot of people cant understand how we got the shape of the key, but if you break it down most of the dimensions you get from the lock itself, you measure the hole, Jenkin explains like its nothing. Members' spirits were low and this combination of factors made it difficult for the ANC to re-infiltrate the combatants who had been trained abroad. . 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. While their revolutionary deeds helped to change the course of history, their prison escape was that which garnered them real fame. This one actually has its roots in a real-life story, as it'll be based on Tim Jenkin's autobiography Inside Out: Escape From Pretoria Prison. [2], Moumbaris was still living in Normandy as of July 2017[update]. 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 .