Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Oscar alert! This high-tension military prison drama is the first real contender of the Fall season.

The story begins as idolized but court-martialed three-star Army General Irwin (Robert Redford) is delivered in handcuffs to a maximum-security military prison run by Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini) whose stunned reaction is: "They should be naming a base after the man, not sending him here!"

A proud West Point graduate who pled guilty to disobeying a direct order, Irwin is resigned to spending time incarcerated in the stockade, telling fellow inmates: "I'm not fighting anyone for anything anymore."

But he's soon appalled by the brutal, sadistic manipulative techniques used by the psychotic, power-mad Colonel. And the Colonel feels his command is increasingly threatened by the popular general-turned-soldier.

"We are soldiers - and no one can take that away from us," Irwin finally declares, igniting an intricate plan of guerrilla warfare against injustice within the penal system, culminating in redemption and the triumph of the human spirit.

Screenwriters David Scarpa, who was born at Ford Campbell Army base in Kentucky, and Graham Yost ("Speed") set up a classic dramatic confrontation over leadership since the plight of the protagonist is only as tough as the antagonist makes it.

Director Ron Lurie ("The Contender") infuses the film with a resonating tension, pitting Robert Redford ("The Horse Whisperer"), as the intense, charismatic hero whose quiet, understated dignity transforms his desperate, dispirited cohorts into defiant yet disciplined soldiers, against James Gandolfini ("The Sopranos"), who carries the warden to the brink of hardcore villainy with the will and ability to kill as many prisoners as necessary to maintain control.

Mark Ruffalo ("You Can Count On Me") scores as an enigmatic but opportunistic bookie who takes bets on everything, including if and when Irwin will commit suicide. Clifton Collins Jr. ("Traffic") is memorable as an abused inmate, as is Steve Burton (TV's "General Hospital") as the Colonel's aide. Delroy Lindo ("The Cider House Rules") is powerful in a cameo as Irwin's former colleague, General Wheeler.

Special-effects supervisor Burt Dalton is inventive in designing the prisoner's make-shift weaponry, including a medieval-looking catapult and water cannon. Amazingly, Mark Ruffalo apparently did his own helicopter stunt work - with the aid of a safety harness.

"The Last Castle" was filmed at the historic Tennessee State Penitentiary, which has housed a number of notorious criminals including James Earl Ray, the man convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.. But The Tiers, the cells where the prisoners live, were built in a nearby warehouse.

The Wall, located in the center of the prison yard, has special significance. As Colonel Winter explains to General Irwin, it is the only remaining piece of the original castle-like prison structure. As the story evolves, The Wall is both a symbol and catalyst for battle.

According to Rod Lurie, "The story takes the exact route to war that has transpired throughout history. It begins with a conflict, then there is an attempt at reasoning and negotiation, and when that fails, there is war."

To which, Robert Redford adds, "War is chaos; it practically has no order, and that's where leadership comes in. The leader has to command in a way that keeps order and purpose. The purpose is usually to defend a country, but it can also be to fulfill one's personal mission as a human being."

On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "The Last Castle" is a powerful 10. It's compelling, crowd-pleasing escapist entertainment with a patriotic, flag-waving finale.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: When DreamWorks first acquired this script in 1998, George Clooney was mentioned to do Redford's role with Mark Wahlberg doing the Mark Ruffalo role. Also, on the IMDB and other Internet sources, prior to the release of the film, it stated that the plot revolved around a three-star General who is "wrongly court martialed"...not true. In the script, Irwin quite clearly admits he's guilty of the crime for which he's incarcerated.

Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age