Escape () is a 1991 Egyptian film directed by Atef El-Tayeb and produced by Medhat El-Sherif, It stars Ahmed Zaki. The story revolves around Montasser, who, after being released from prison, seeks revenge on those who destroyed his life. He becomes a fugitive, pursued by the police.
The Escape is considered one of the iconic films of Egyptian cinema in the 1990s. It is inspired by the classic novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, which has been adapted into various forms and dramatic plots in both Egyptian and international art.
Muntaser Abdel Ghaffar Al-Badri (Ahmed Zaki) is a young man from the village of Al-Hajer in the Saqilat Center of Sohag, Upper Egypt. His father was a falconer who spent long periods in the desert hunting falcons, a life that deeply influenced Muntaser, who admired the birdâÂÂs freedom and dominance. After his father's death, MuntaserâÂÂs mother, hoping to prevent him from following in his father's footsteps, burned all his hunting tools. She instead placed her hopes in her eldest son, Abdullah, a dutiful and obedient farmer.
As Muntaser grows up, he becomes involved with Medhat (Youssef Fawzy), the corrupt director of an office that arranges illegal emigration of Egyptian workers to the Gulf. After initially working with Medhat to earn money, Muntaser is framed by him for drug possession and imprisoned. Upon his release, Muntaser faces further betrayal when his wife, seduced and trafficked by a woman named Rajwat, ends up in prostitution in Turkey. Accused of her murder, Muntaser goes on the run. His situation worsens when he is betrayed againâÂÂthis time by his childhood friend Saeed, who steals his money and informs on him to the authorities.
As Muntaser is drawn deeper into a web of crime and betrayal, police officer Salem (Abdulaziz Makhyoun) is tasked with his capture. What begins as a manhunt evolves into a tragic confrontation that changes the lives of all involved. Throughout, the story is echoed by Saedi mourning and the lamentations of rababa storytelling, foreshadowing an inevitable tragedy.