This film isn’t just one of the best prison films of all time. It’s one of the best films of any kind of all time. Timothy Robbins delivers the performance of his career as a young man doing a life sentence for killing his wife’s lover. (The character walked in on the two in the act.) The quiet former accountant makes an odd prisoner, but quickly learns the ropes from an old inmate who has spent most of his life in and out of prison. This character is potrayed by Morgan Freeman, who also gives one of the best performances of his life. Robbins’ character just can’t face life in prison. How he avoids it makes for excellent drama. And this one isn’t just for prison movie fans.
This movie is based on the Stephen King novel and basically follows the plot closely. It’s a story-within-a-story beginning in a nursing home when an elderly man begins crying watching an old film. the film then begins a flashback that continues until the last few minutes of the film. Tom Hanks plays a cool and collected prison warden in charge of a death row. It’s not the depressing and horrid film that the plot line might bring to mind. Have the kleenex handy, but for a whole different reason. Hanks is great, but its the supporting cast that really makes the movie. Michael Clark Duncan deserved an oscar for his role as an innocent man who is ready to die. David Morse is also outstanding as Hanks’ second-in-command.
This is a sleeper movie starring and directing Robert Redford. It takes place in a military prison where absolute power has absolutely corrupted administration. Like Shawshank Redemption, the center character, played by Redford is a sympathetic character: an army officer with an excellent record who finds himself on the wrong side of the wrong person. He ends up at The Last Castle, a prison that might remind military ex-cons of Leavenworth. The main activity for inmates here is breaking big rocks into little rocks (and not in the manner Tim Robbins accomplishes in “The Shawshank Redemption.”) Redford leads a revolt, but first has to store the beaten down self-esteem of inmates who were once heroes. If you’re thinking of gift giving, one advantage this movie has is its price; it can probably be found in a bargain bin for around $5.50.
Does this movie really need a description. Paul Newman left the world of teen idols and became one of the 20th century’s greatest actors playing a calm, cool inmate. He received an Oscar nod for this movie. No award, but supporting actor George Kennedy did pick up the gold statue for this one, showing the depth of talent in this 1967 black-and-white film. While other prison movies may spotlight physical violence, this movie shows the mental toil prison takes on a person. With Kennedy as a mentor, Newman not only learns to survive but celebrate small victories.
5. Assault on Precinct 13th (2000 version)
This 2005 remake of a 70s sleeper stars Ethan Hawke and Lawrence Fishburne. Hawke’s the guard and Fishburne’s the inmate on a snowy New York City Christmas eve. The rest of the jail is made of up memorable characters, with Brian Dennehey delivering one of his best performances ever. The plot is that Fishburne is a high-target mob member. He’s so valuable that the rest of the New York City police department is willing to surround Prescinct 13 in an effort to take him out. The story reveals how fast friendships can form in the unlikeliest places and reminds us all of the importance of keeping our friends close…and our enemies closer. Lots of action, bloodiest one on the list.
