Prison Films

This week on AMC, they are showcasing "Shawshank Redemption", one of my all time favs. There is something captivating about a prison film. Maybe its the struggle of the human spirit against incarceration. I find them (the good ones) to be very appealing. Besides Shawshank:
- King Rat
- Bridge Over the River Kwai
- Stalag 17
- Papillon
- Midnight Express
- The Green Mile

Longest Yard?

MC, I love Shawshank Redemption. But one of my all time favorites has to be BRUTE FORCE.

Other favs that instantly come to mind:

The Great Escape
The Green Mile
Papillon
Escape From Alctraz
Woman's Prison

You know, I forgot all about The Great Escape. I can't even tell you when I saw it last, but I loved it.




TIS

My absolute, all-time favorite. Unbeatable cast. Memorable Lancaster. Brilliant dialog. Genius casting of meek-looking Hume Cronyn as the scary, vicious Captain Munsey.



Now, there is the all-time championship B-movie. Hits every possible high (and low) spot for a Fifties prison film. Poor, frightened gal in on bum rap...prostitute with heart of gold...token black prisoner singing "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"...goodhearted doctor...vicious female warden with lesbian overtones...how could they miss? Love it! I used to keep a VHS of "Women's Prison" in my office at work. Showed it to people in my group. They loved it! I don't think it's available to buy (I recorded it off the air).

I love "Stalag 17." I watch it several times a year. But if POW movies count as prison films, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention "The Purple Heart." It's my favorite POW movie ever. Dana Andrew and Richard Conte turned in what I thought were their best performances ever. And that's really saying something.

I'm surprised nobody has included "Cool Hand Luke" on their list. Paul Newman was absolutely superb in it.

Also, while not a "true" prison film, I'd list "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" here. Stephen King gets two listings from me, "The Green Mile" (one of my all-time favorite movies) and "The Shawshank Redemption".

I'll round off my half dozen with "The Great Escape" and "Midnight Express".

Mine, too.
"They'll come by day, and they'll come by night. And they won't stop till they wipe your dirty little island off the face of the map."

"Sick? Sick? He's never been sick a day in his life! What did you do to him, you fiends!"

Yipes, you're right. "Cool Hand Luke", one of moviedoms greatest quotes, "what we have here, is a failure to communicate".

Cuckoo's Nest can certainly qualify as a prison movie. McMurphy was incarcerated for evaluation. "Juicy Fruit". Great film, great cast and performances.

You ABSOLUTELY made my day, PB!

Since so many Board members are fans of the Shawshank Redemption, one of you can probably answer this question. I've watched bits and pieces of it. I know that one of its characters gets let out of prison and then goes looking for something that's buried somewhere. What is it, where is it buried, and how'd it get there?

Watch the movie, oli. You'd enjoy it!

I would, but I sometimes am uncomfortable with films that portray an oppressive atmosphere which prison flms tend to portray.

I understand, and there's a good bit of that in "Shawshank" BUT it's really about how an individual rose above all that through hope.

If you're dead set against seeing it, I'll answer your question, but you should re-consider seeing the movie.

What about the Sly Stallone classic....NO WAY OUT?????

I'll never watch it.

Also THE CASTLE, with Robert Redford and James Gandolfini!!!