TLDR;
The story revolves around Evans, a cunning prisoner known for his escape attempts, who plans to take an O-level German exam. The prison staff, including the Governor, take elaborate precautions to prevent his escape during the exam, but Evans manages to outsmart them through a meticulously planned scheme involving fake phone calls, a disguised accomplice, and coded messages. Despite the Governor's efforts to recapture him, Evans ultimately escapes, revealing the extent of his cleverness and the involvement of accomplices both inside and outside the prison.
- Evans, a prisoner with a history of escapes, plans to take an O-level German exam.
- The prison staff implements strict measures to prevent his escape during the exam.
- Evans executes a complex plan involving disguises, coded messages, and accomplices.
- The Governor and prison officials are outwitted, leading to Evans' successful escape.
- The story highlights themes of deception, intelligence, and the fallibility of authority.
Introduction [0:05]
The Governor of Oxford Prison receives a request from the Secretary of the Examinations Board to allow a prisoner named Evans to take an A-level exam. Evans, who started night classes in O-level German the previous September, is described as eager to obtain an academic qualification. Despite having individual tuition due to being the only student in the class, the Secretary suggests giving him a chance. The Governor inquires about the procedure and is assured that all necessary materials will be sent. The Secretary confirms Evans' full name as James Roderick Evans and seeks assurance that he is not violent, to which the Governor replies that there is no record of violence and that Evans has been a star at the Christmas concert, albeit with an "inborn hobby of stealing." The Governor arranges for Evans to take the exam in his cell and agrees to have a priest from Saint Mary Mags invalidate it. The Secretary expresses a final concern about preventing Evans from talking.
Evans the Break [1:58]
Evans, known as "Evans the Break" due to his three previous prison escapes, is scheduled to have his German teacher meet him in the heavily guarded block. The teacher wishes him "gotten gluck," or good luck, for the exam the next day. Evans expresses his gratitude, acknowledging that he may surprise everyone despite having little chance of passing the O-level exam. The following morning, two visitors arrive to oversee Evans: Mr. Jackson, the senior prison officer on D-wing, and Officer Stevens, a recently appointed and rude-looking man.
Exam Preparations [2:55]
Officer Stevens makes a remark about Evans being like "a little Einstein," to which Mr. Jackson corrects him, noting that Einstein was a mathematician and Jewish. Evans is reminded to shave, and Officer Stevens is instructed to remove the razor from the cell afterward. Evans questions the removal of his nail scissors and nail file, citing the Governor's orders. He pleads to keep his hat, which he considers a lucky charm, for the exam. Meanwhile, Stuart McLeery, the assigned exam investigator, departs for the prison wearing a black overcoat and carrying a suitcase containing a sealed paper envelope, a yellow invalidation form, a special authentication card, and a knife for cutting papers.
Setting Up the Exam [4:42]
Evans shaves as Stevens brings in tables and chairs for the exam. Jackson instructs Evans to behave and points out the photographs on the wall, which Evans assumes will be taken down for the priest who will be sitting in. Evans questions the need for surveillance in his cell, pointing out the visible microphone. Jackson explains that the Governor doesn't trust him and will be listening in. At the main gate, Stuart McLeery signs the visitor's book and is escorted to D-wing by a prison officer, where he is greeted by Jackson. Stevens retrieves Evans' razor.
Inspection and Preparations [6:12]
Stevens escorts McLeery to Evans' cell door and looks inside. It is 9:10 a.m. when the Governor switches on the microphone receiver and instructs Jackson to warn Evans about it. The Governor worries that Evans might try to take advantage of McLeery and considers the possibility that McLeery might have brought in a weapon. He calls Jackson and Stevens outside to voice his concerns. Jackson checks McLeery's clothes and suitcase, finding reading glasses and a half-inflated rubber ring, which McLeery explains is for his hemorrhoids. Jackson also finds a knife, which McLeery prefers to keep with him.
The Exam Begins [8:02]
By 9:18 a.m., it is clear that the examination will begin late. Jackson tells Evans when to start and when there are five minutes left. Evans is instructed to write the paper name (021-1) in the top left corner, his index number (313) in the top right corner, and his center number (271) in the box below. At 9:20 a.m., Evans complains about Stevens breathing down his neck, making it difficult to concentrate. The Governor overhears and orders Jackson to remove Stevens from the cell. McLeery announces that the exam has started at 9:25 a.m.
Correction Slip [9:26]
At 9:40 a.m., the examination board calls, and the assistant secretary asks to speak to the Governor, stating that a correction slip was forgotten in the exam package. The Governor suspects a fake call or secret message but decides to check. He dials the examination board number and finds the line engaged. Two minutes later, he hears whispers in the cell from the microphone. McLeery instructs Evans to stop writing and listen to a correction: on page 3, line 15, the fourth word should be "Goldman" instead of "golden."
Distractions and Preparations [10:47]
The phone rings again, this time from the court, needing a prison van and officers for a remand case. Stevens periodically checks on Evans through the hole, seeing him staring towards the door with his pen in his lips. At 10:50 a.m., Evans asks if he can put a blanket over his shoulders because he is cold. At 11:20 a.m., McLeery announces that only five minutes are left. At 11:22 a.m., the Governor calls and orders Stevens to accompany McLeery to the prison gate after the exam.
The Escape [11:43]
At 11:25 a.m., McLeery tells Evans to stop writing and put his sheets in order. After accompanying McLeery to the prison gate, Stevens returns to check on Evans and finds a man lying on Evans' chair with a blanket and blood dripping from his small beard. Stevens alerts Jackson, realizing the man is McLeery. They wonder who the man was who left the prison with Stevens. McLeery takes a handkerchief to his bleeding head. Jackson sends Stevens to call the police and ambulance. McLeery insists on getting the police and the Governor, stating that he knows where Evans is.
The Chase Begins [13:11]
Sirens sound, doors are locked, and phones ring as prison officers react to the escape. McLeery, supported by Jackson and Stevens, reaches the prison yard. He shows the Governor the German paper with a photocopied sheet superimposed on the last page. The German text translates to instructions to follow the plan, noting that the important time is three minutes before the end of the examination and advising not to hit him too hard. Detective Superintendent Carter arrives and is briefed on the situation. McLeery claims to know where Evans is, and Carter takes him to investigate.
Unraveling the Plan [14:44]
The last lines of the German text direct them from Ellsfield Way to the Headington roundabout. The Governor realizes that the examinations board is on Ellsfield Way, suggesting someone from the board was involved. He questions Jackson and Stevens about who took Evans to the main gates, realizing it was Stevens under a fake phone call made three minutes before the end of the exam. The Governor scolds Jackson for not noticing how Evans obtained a false beard and spectacles. He reads the German text again, which directs them to New Graben via the Headington roundabout, which he realizes is Newberry. He orders Jackson and Stevens to be taken to the police station.
The Police Investigation [17:15]
The driver informs Chief Inspector Bell of the facts, and Bell speaks to the Governor on the phone, confident they will catch Evans. The Governor acknowledges Evans' cleverness but notes his carelessness in leaving the question paper behind. Carter reports that McLeery spotted Evans driving off along Ellsfield Way, but they lost him at the Headington roundabout. The Governor believes Evans is heading to Newberry based on the message on the question paper. He confirms that McLeery is at Radcliffe Hospital, but upon calling, he learns that the ambulance picked up someone from Ellsfield Way who has since vanished.
The Real McLeery [19:06]
The real McLeery is later found tied up in his study, stating he had been there since 8:15 a.m. when two men came and tied him up. Inquiries in Newberry yield nothing. The prison realizes that Evans impersonated McLeery, who stayed in the cell, and that he was pretending to be McLeery when he told them he knew where Evans had gone. When Carter called the ambulance, Evans escaped.
Hotel Golden Lion [19:48]
Evans, having enjoyed fish and chips, returns to the Hotel Golden Lion, where he had booked a room. He finds everything his friends had promised in the car: soap, water, clothes, and a map. However, upon unlocking his bedroom door, he finds the Governor waiting for him. The Governor reveals that they knew about the plan due to the correction slip, which contained the name of the hotel and the exact time the exam started.
The Final Explanation [21:32]
The Governor explains that the index and center numbers Evans wrote on the exam paper corresponded to a map reference pointing to Lanning Shipping Norton. He admits they hoped Evans would run off to Newberry. The Governor asks how Evans got the blood to pour over his head. Evans explains that it was pig's blood mixed with trisodium citrate to prevent clotting. He also reveals that his German teacher was an accomplice and that there was far more going on than the Governor expected.
The Last Laugh [23:54]
As Evans is escorted to the prison van, he mentions to the Governor that he might take O-level Italian classes next September. The prison officer unlocks Evans' handcuffs and instructs the driver to drive fast, suggesting they head to Newberry. The silent officer who took him to the prison van was his own man, meaning Evans had the last laugh, and the Governor was outsmarted once again.
