The Ten Best Prison Dramas
Feb 14 '06
The Bottom Line These films are all well done and worth watching, featuring great performances by fine actors and creative looks at the inner workings of prison life.
My Ten Favorite Prison Dramas
There’s something about watching a prison drama that appeals to me - I don’t know, maybe it’s because I’m so happy I’m not in there? Anyway, lots of people seem to like them as much as I do. Unfortunately, some of the greatest ones have not been released on DVD (or even VHS), to my knowledge.
One in particular is called The Last Mile starring the unlikely Mickey Rooney as one of the meanest guys to ever take over a cell block. This is totally out of character for the former child star, but if it ever comes out on DVD, take a look - you’ll be amazed at how good it is.
While lots of movies have bits that refer to prisons, I tried to limit my picks to those that spent most of their running time showing life within the hoosegow. I’ve included links to reviews of each pick by some of the writers I really enjoy reading, myself excepted, of course. I hope I’ve named some of your favorites and have maybe given you one or two to add to your own viewing queue.
The Shawshank Redemption ”Put your trust in the Lord; your ass belongs to me. Welcome to Shawshank.” Warden Samuel Norton
Long, slow moving tale of life in Maine’s Shawshank Prison. Stars Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman with a great supporting turn by veteran actor James Whitmore. Nominated for seven Oscars, not a bad start for director Frank Darabont’s first movie. I personally think it is overlong, but the theme of hope and redemption does leave the viewer with a warm feeling.
Cool Hand Luke ”Sometimes nothin’ is a real cool hand.” Luke Jackson
Paul Newman out-cools nearly everybody in his role as Luke Jackson, a petty thief sentenced to the chain gang. No matter how hard they try, they just can’t seem to reform old Luke, and his prison sentence grows and grows. Superior story and supporting cast including Strother Martin, Harry Dean Stanton, and George Kennedy. Watch it for the card game, the car wash, and the egg-eating scene; but watch it!
Birdman of Alcatraz ” Robert Stroud's petition for parole has been denied annually for 24 years. Age 72, he is now in his 53rd year of imprisonment.” Narrator
John Frankenheimer directs, and Burt Lancaster stars in the true story of a self-educated man who became the greatest expert on avian (bird) diseases in his time. It all started with a sick sparrow found in the exercise yard by solitary confinee Lancaster. Most of the story takes place in Leavenworth, but I guess Alcatraz sounded better for the title. Neville Brand, Karl Malden, and Thelma Ritter ably assist in the compelling production. Well worth your time.
Papillon ”Hey, you bastards, I'm still here!” Papillon
Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman make a rare pair in the true story of Henri Charriere (Papillon) - a man serving a life sentence that includes time in the hellhole of Devil’s Island. You’ll thrill at the indomitable spirit of the man who will not remain incarcerated, no matter how much they punish him. Even when he is old, he is still plotting his escape and when he does, you’ll cheer.
The Great Escape ”Are all American officers so ill-mannered?” - Yeah, about 99%.”
Steve McQueen heads an all-star cast populating Luftstalag III - a German prison camp for Allied fliers. John Sturges directs and several alumni from Sturges’ Magnificent Seven co-star, including Charles Bronson and James Coburn, not to mention James Garner, Richard Attenborough, David McCallum, Donald Pleasance, and a whole raft of familiar faces. The Great Escape generates great suspense along with quite possibly the most memorable score in film history, courtesy of Maestro Elmer Bernstein. Must see.
Stalag 17 (McMaster’s Review) “I'm tellin' ya, Animal, these Nazis ain't kosher.” Shapiro
Billy Wilder, who made great films in many genres, made history with this comedy set in a German prison camp? That’s right, although there are moments of tense drama as well. William Holden, Neville Brand, Peter Graves, Harvey Lembeck, Robert Strauss, and Otto Preminger are some of the main inhabitants of Stalag 17. There’s a rat giving information to the Nazis, but who is it? Full of many subtle, and not-so-subtle moments, Stalag 17 is one of Billy Wilder’s best movies. Highly recommended.
The Count of Monte Cristo ”God is never in France this time of year.” Jailer
What would you do if you were above the law and could take revenge on your worst enemies? Edmond Dantes (Jim Caviezel) has many years to ponder just that in his solitary confinement in Chateau D’If, France’s loneliest prison. A chance meeting with fellow prisoner Abbe Faria (Richard Harris) starts Dantes’ plan of revenge on the road to possible fruition. Beautifully shot on location on the Isle of Malta, with great support from Michael Wincott, Luis Guzman, and Guy Pearce.
Murder in the First (millinocket’s review ) ”I was the weapon, but I ain’t no killer.” Henri Young
Compelling story of prisoner abuse on Alcatraz. Kevin Bacon shines as prisoner Henri Young, confined in the hole underneath the main prison. There are questions as to the veracity of events cited here as based on a true story, but a great story it is, whatever relation it may have to the truth. Christian Slater gives great support as the attorney who comes to Henri’s defense, and becomes perhaps the only friend he has.
Dead Man Walking (Grouch’s Review ) ” Thank you. I've never been called a “son of God” before.” Mathew Poncelet
Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon share screen time as a condemned man and a nun who befriends him in a Louisiana prison. Directed by Tim Robbins, it will raise questions in your mind regardless of your beliefs on capital punishment. Absolutely riveting.
The Last Castle (SusanGranger’s Review ) ”What the hell kind of grab-ass unit are you running here, Colonel?” Gen. Wheeler
Robert Redford in his last few films has finally become an actor. This is not quite as good as Spy Games, but it is far beyond his earlier Butch Cassidy/Sting performances. Co-starring James Gandolfini and Mark Ruffalo, the movie gives a look inside a contemporary military prison. Redford, who I don’t think is a veteran, still can’t salute right but he shows well as a lieutenant general locked up in the general population of a prison like Leavenworth. Worth watching.
Midnight Express (BrianKoller’s Review ) ”… everyone runs around stabbing everyone else in the ass. That's what they call Turkish revenge.” Billy Hayes
Billy Hayes (Brad Davis) was locked up in a Turkish prison for trying to smuggle hashish out. See what it’s like for an American to be locked up in a foreign prison - it ain’t pretty. Shot in Malta after the Turks refused permission to film in Turkey. Although Billy Hayes has indicated that the events have been amped up for the movie, it’s still a good story and worth watching. Adapted by screenwriter Oliver Stone who always seems to have a problem differentiating truth and fiction. Also starring Randy Quaid and John Hurt.
The Green Mile ”I think this boy’s cheese has done slid off his cracker.” Prisoner
Michael Clarke Duncan stars as the gigantic prisoner John Coffey - “Like the drink, suh, only spelled different.” Very creative view of life on death row with supernatural overtones. Also starring Tom Hanks and Sam Rockwell in an early role. Even though the film runs almost three hours, you’ll still be watching when the credits roll. Highly entertaining.
Well, there you have them, my favorite prison dramas. Any of these films ought to create memories for you. I hope I mentioned your favorites and introduced you to a few you’d like to see.
Thanks for reading!
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