Ben Stiller Breaks Down a Prison Yard Scene from “Escape at Dannemora” | Vanity Fair

Director Ben Stiller breaks down a scene from “Escape at Dannemora,” Showtime’s mini-series based on the 2015 Clinton Correctional Facility escape in New York. The show stars Paul Dano and Benicio del Toro as the two escaped inmates.
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[@maximumgainpodcast4835]

I'm so happy for Ben Stiller... Excellent director and writer. Very underrated as a director..... hopefully, until now.

[@raycampbell162]

He's also very funny too!!!

[@luckysweetheartvintage476]

I agree! I remember reading “the ruins” by Scott Smith and he thanked him in the book which is pretty much how I found out Ben Stiller is a really creative, smart guy. I don’t know why I didn’t know that before but this guy is awesome

[@alamdaali8776]

I HATE that poor cringey vision of Stiller that stupid people have about him . *facepalm*

[@dimitreze]

the production value of TV nowadays is unbelievable truly golden age of TV

[@jimmydivicio838]

Yeah man true detective Fargo ... golden age bro

[@daredevilpunisher4028]

i wish i can say this for germany except the Series on Netflix like Dark or Amazon Prime Beat

[@systemofadown945]

"The night of" blew me away as well, id recommend that to you guys also

[@dimitreze]

@@systemofadown945 yes, pretty awesome

[@kristinpfanku3927]

The shots of the woods and the Adirondacks are stupendous! So beautiful!

[@2taggs2]

This better win Emmys/Golden Globes... it's REALLY good! Kudos to Stiller for directing a good and serious series.

[@esquibelle]

So very impressed w/Ben Stiller's directorial brilliance! Wow. He's extremely fantastic and underrated. Loved this series. Cannot wait to see what he does next.

[@MrsBungle78]

Benicio del Toro, Paul Dano, Patricia Arquette directed by Ben Stiller...uh, yes, I’ll be watching!

[@Sms68]

MrsBungle78 They will all win a Golden Globe. Incredible

[@willpowr416]

Christopher Maltisanti makes an appearance too

[@MrsBungle78]

ItsWillPower 😂 Does he? Cool! I love Michael Imperioli

[@ryanlong6535]

This series has changed my life, that's how good it is.

[@wolfy9549]

How?

[@8bitrocketstudios]

This series is a masterpiece

[@b.g.3073]

Benecio has slowly made it to my favorite actor of all-time. He's getting closer and closer to Daniel Day Lewis great.

[@raycampbell162]

Oh yeah....I hate his guts 😆

[@christofferjenzen78]

Benicio actually ehm....even has more range than Daniel,if we look at his whole career. The Academy doesnt love him but dude is currently at nr.1 on my list. And refreshingly unpretentious.

[@sydneyprescott3374]

He did weird little things like pretending to smoke a cigarette ect....

[@skipmichaels6184]

Ben Stiller did a great job with this. Captures the sickening essence of prison life and the ugliness of these places.

[@antonellarojas5559]

Patricia Arquette should get a golden globe for her role. It was brilliant

[@paulthompson6745]

she did :)

[@ANGELSLVME]

Antonella Rojas she did

[@vacateistheword]

Should have gotten two

[@tmp1111]

she was magnificent

[@Merely]

Great drama so well directed! Thank you, VF for providing this valuable insight. My Uncle who lived in Lyon Mountain was a guard there for decades. He retired due to stress as it is according to him, an extremely dangerous place to be even for the guards.

[@1markpower]

A masterpiece. What else is there to say.

[@fakdev8789]

Ben. Came to some of the local bars in Plattsburgh before shooting in the prison yard..Bobby Hall’s was one of them. So awesome, down to earth and did what he could w limited time to show locals like me he was authentically interested in this story and what happened upstate to us folks. Long live the 518

[@jamescook4289]

Spent a lot of time in Malone too meeting the locals. He was great.

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

@@jamescook4289 Yeah and gave the lead actors weird accents. And who calls the area 'Little Siberia'? I've never heard that, ever.

[@hamburgerhelperflick]

One of my favorite scenes. Funny, and says so much about the space, hierarchy, each character, and their relationship to each other.

[@rahallivex]

What i most love about this series is that it is always upto to the point no other drama exploitation, good paced and never lost sight of the main objective. Fantastic series.

[@cbmtrx]

I'm rewatching this. What an achievement.

[@benrosn8154]

Such a great great show, one of the best shows ever of all time phenomenal, needs to be watched by everyone

[@VangeliRock]

This is a fantastic show, amazingly well done, Benicio is amazing as is every actor in this show...it really is a great experience to watch.

[@bruceLEEtheOne]

Worked in film for the last 8 iyears and this site is definately my favorite of all time. Those were some awesome shots.

[@MsRotorwings]

It is so fascinating. This limited series was brilliantly done. The fact that Ben was able to film at Clinton and collaborated with Eric Jensen, an ex inmate, enabled him to produce a great piece. Escape at Dannemora and Unbelievable with Merritt Wever are outstanding limited series.

[@HasBeensNAddicts]

I'm late but this is the best one. How he really takes time to explain everything & more.

[@Beerandpalace]

Amazing, completely binge watched it in 3 days!

[@mtb5778]

amazing show. Ben Stiller is a fantastic director.

[@dniemi150]

This is the best series on cable

[@StrongerThanYsterday]

I still don’t believe that Ben DIRECTED this masterpiece!!!

[@thisisoddful]

Absolutely loved this miniseries... it was intense and moving and so so good!

[@dep1001]

Great to hear Ben talk about this! Awesome series!

[@dniemi150]

Patricia Arquette is amazing

[@saltau3734]

Great show. Excellent cast, they were all exceptional. Patricia Arquette was a stand out for me, as was Eric Lange who played her husband Lyle. Well worth watching.

[@alexisgaraurolon8314]

You forgot to mention Benicio he was great also.

[@saltau3734]

@@alexisgaraurolon8314 That came under the part where I said "they were all exceptional"

[@mdaddy775]

Glad that he's getting some big award nods now, he deserves them.

[@stoyam7515]

Best thing I’ve seen all year

[@AFaceintheCrowd01]

Very impressed with the crane shot in the first episode. The biggest problem so far is deciphering some of the dialogue - difficult to make out some of the lines.

[@KSfan4ever]

Me too....I had to put on the "closed captions" to get all the dialogue.

[@raineyj560]

Agree, it really shows how loud prison is.......

[@speakupify]

Closed captions needed especially for final episode when they were running..u couldn't hear noises that alerted them but captions told you

[@zafmo9829]

that was done on purpose. it was homage to how the 2 actually spoke. also, stiller is really big on realism and never wants people to use generic acting pronunciation. people in prison dont talk loud when discussing escaping.

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

Plus the weird accents.

[@danalee6222]

super congrats to @benstiller..excellent job!!👏👏👏 #beniciodeltoro.....no one plays a SOB better....he's chilling as #richardmatt!!!

[@InsaneFame]

friggin Ben Stiller, makes the best TV show of 2018

[@andrewgonzalez6208]

That’s Paul Dano? Omg I gotta watch this. Wow. So cool the breakdown. I’ve never seen something like this.

[@KataSzijj]

Benicio Del Toro exactly looks like my father in that movie...it is so incredible.

[@Lorthern]

He looks great for his age!

[@tb770]

so does ed norton.... oh wait, that's paul dano.

[@hankerino]

PP Wieners Agreed

[@sydneyprescott3374]

He really does look good, better with age

[@sydneyprescott3374]

@PP Wieners wieners...why so sensitive 🤷‍♀️

[@zafmo9829]

absolutely breathtaking show.

[@davidle4936]

I still can't believe that Ben Stiller can directed such powerful masterpiece! If this was a movie, he should get himself an Independent Spirit Award for his direction!!!

[@hayhouse3]

Great show! Fascinating story! Thank you Showtime and Ben Stiller! I hope someone wins some awards for this!

[@alpharingo2141]

He filmed in my town and I ran through his set

[@LadyVader33]

After the series of comedies he's done as an entertainer, it speaks to his talent he can direct an effective drama

[@minifunkenn]

He did crazy good job as a director!

[@starkingbiker]

that shot was truly staggering- the smoke makes it extremely cinematic

[@katevand]

I can not believe Ben Stiller made this show. Hats off.

[@amethyst1465]

Very entertaining. Great cast and director. Let's not forget the crew..if it weren't for them this project would not be possible. This mini series drama has Golden Goble..Emmy nominations written all over it.👍

[@melaniegiguere9308]

I just watched this series and it is great. The character portrayal of those involved was interesting and well done. Hands down though, the imagery was my favorite aspect of the series and my favorite imagery was of the tiered yards. Stunning!

[@Rob-sk1im]

This was an outstanding miniseries. Perfect casting.

[@drew9312]

Excellently directed by Ben Stiller.

[@kida182]

Should have analyzed the dry run scene in the tunnel, that shot was amazing!!

[@dawudyelton1392]

just saw the first episode earlier today, and...getting pretty good; just off of knowing about clinton c.f. and benicio being in it, made me check it out and it was a nice surprise to find that ben stiller was directing it; it'll be great to see how the story works itself out...

[@erikdavidson4914]

Ben Stiller is left-handed!

[@rhondatracey6377]

i love it.. you did an amazing job ben.. simply amazing film ... awesome.. perfect selection of actors and actresses to play the parts

[@pamelabonaparte9383]

Wow .....I love this view and I love the landscape being a character in a film it gives you the day to day feel and the feelings that must bottle up to escape.........especially having a view of land that people pay money to live on and vacation in winter and summer . Great piece on the directors view .

[@bmcminn8838]

Paul Dano is probably the most underrated actor in history

[@JLBREMER]

I need to watch this. Ben Stiller is one of my favorite obvious style comedians. To see him do something serious would be interesting. (Secret life of Walter Mitty ) one of my favorites

[@markmt1988]

Incredible job Ben!!

[@danielvmay]

Just burned through this - just learning Ben Stiller is a talent director turns out - legit

[@black_sheep_nation]

thanks for that! What a treat to hear Sti,ller's breakdown of the scene. I could listen all day! Eric Lange - brilliant, under rated journeyman actor.

[@uuglyddoll8333]

This series was great! I could not stop watching it. I had no idea it was based on a true story. I thought it was fictional, until Later.

[@rosealexander9007]

Definitely true believe me. I lived near the prison at the time it happened.

[@MikeMJPMUNCH]

For a minute there I thought Benicio del Toro was Steven Seagal

[@MatthewStasoff]

Me too. That's why I clicked lol

[@Dingusmcnally]

MikeMJPMUNCH there you go Steven seagal biopic have Benicio del Toro play him.

[@Swedishmafia101MemeCorporation]

Stevicio del Seagoro

[@kristinpfanku3927]

Benicio shows how "less is more." Take a minute to look at just his facial expressions and eye movements. That and his timing are impeccable.

[@cindynewjersey7153]

Kristin P Benecio is brilliant in this as he is in all his movies, arquette and dano kill it too, what a series! I’ve watched it 5 times already lol

[@speakupify]

Ben if you are reading the comments why did you rush through the finale. I so wanted to see the reaction of the prison guards when they discover the escape. I also wanted to see what Tilly was saying to the police. Also it appears after watching a several interviews with the with the real main character's that the program didn't really depict exactly the story but I guess that's not really the point. But considering the program was about the escape the guards and prisoners reactions were Not Included and that really spoilt what could have been a brilliant series

[@jennfun1974]

Marie Smith I agree I wanted to see that “ginger fuck’s face “ as sweat called the CO , when he realized they were not in their beds !!!!

[@antoinettedewall1191]

Excellent....I enjoyed this mini series. Ben Stiller you did GOOD!!! I do believe the big difference was filming in the prison. Really Good!!!

[@leociampo92]

thinking out of the box, genius

[@yucruuu]

Ben stiller is a great on the scenes fir sure n this shows.

[@gigip.2458]

BEST SERIES/MOVIE SINCE RAY DONNAVON! PLUS I AM SO IN FOR TRUE CRIME!!!!! 💜💜💜 BEN STILLER SO EXCELLENT AS DIRECTOR!

[@FUMoney33]

Love love love this show! Best new show of 2018 for sure!

[@Rayofsunshine86]

"really unique environment"? interesting way to describe a maximum security prison.

[@rosealexander9007]

It's a breathtaking beautiful area.🙂

[@gordongordon98]

This was such a good TV series. I watched it twice.

[@randlemcmurphy4594]

Respect to clinton correctional for letting this show happen. most prisons would have said no way already had enough embarrassment

[@SS-dj8tz]

Love this series In love with paul dano

[@victoriakelly5894]

I can't wait for the next episode

[@maryrutherford8311]

Ben stillar is very talented

[@catherinequintiliani5404]

I'm loving this show !

[@linneaphillis2134]

Ben's a lefty!! So great!! Absolutely fascinating this story.

[@douglaskalberg8899]

It's weird as a Swede hearing the title of the show, Dannemora is named after a tiny village in Sweden.

[@myfilms999]

Big Boy Benicio

[@jimconti8560]

TheFlickinCritic Has

[@msxmargo]

Thank you for a great movie

[@the_glitter_is]

Was it just me or did anyone else find the show's tone convoluted at times because of the bizarre choice of soundtrack?

[@rhondatracey6377]

Oh no the soundtrack was dead on !!! Couldnt have been more appropriate

[@user-ll5pj1vj3c]

imagine; 2 000 000 people are currently in jail in the US and thus 400 000 jobs

[@TheAbrantino]

Best show in a while for me

[@craiggoldreyer8240]

GREAT SHOW !!!!!!!

[@maryannreese6264]

Seen some of it last night good

[@adam_quiney]

Does anyone know what song is playing on this crane shot? I can't find it in any of the soundtracks, and it is awesome (as it this scene and the series itself).

[@larryfine88]

After watching this informative lesson, I feel I could be a Hollywood movie director.

[@violetvain.vv19]

Ben stiller you're the best!! ❤

[@numberedsoul]

Love the show!!

[@RocketLR]

Jeeez, murica still has prisons like 1700's..

[@abh3designs364]

I got an ad for this show before this video

[@dealerovski82]

well done.

[@quinnls]

This man is a genius

[@KSfan4ever]

Why can't Stiller pronounce Benicio's name correctly, for pete's sake? He pronounces it Beneetsio. It should be Beneeseeyo. Has no one explained this to him?

[@andrewbillingsley2792]

Well, he definitely spent a great deal of time working in very close proximity with Benecio and it's safe to say Benecio would probably have said something if he was pronouncing his name wrong.

[@KSfan4ever]

@@andrewbillingsley2792 Or BDT was too polite to correct him.

[@maricarindefenzo6859]

I've seen other clips on YT where they say his name with the /t/ sound in his face. Never once was anyone corrected. BDT is such a darling

[@ethanjpoirier3288]

I live In upstate new York and the cops were pretty much everywhere

[@andersjohansson4934]

Great serie!

[@erickesteban8700]

Add to watchlist

[@latchkeyed8474]

Welp gonna watch this RN

[@rafalzubek2788]

was it really maximum security prison?? i doubt it

[@michaelakozenewski5481]

It is a maximum security there's 54 prisons in NY and Clinton is one of the few maximums(along with sing sing and Attica) there are far more medium security than maximum securities in Oneida county alone there are 3 medium security prisons (midstate, Marcy, and mohawk)

[@sammybluestein2796]

Aged well

[@lucasazx5474]

Ben Stiller got big hands

[@johnnysopals]

I would really love to see Ben direct an original horror, give him more stuff hollywood. Or make your own, hollywood will fund it.