FILM REVIEWS

Based on an actual scandal that was uncovered in rkansas in the 1960s, Stuart Rosenberg’s prison drama stars Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker, the new inmate at a run-down Southern prison that’s become notorious for corruption and violence.

After witnessing gross misconduct, and defusing a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate (Morgan Freeman), Brubaker reveals to the administrators that he’s not a criminal, but the new warden, assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover.

With his new identity confirmed, Brubaker sets about shaping up policies and procedures, despite resistance from some of the convicts. With the help of the prison’s chief trustee (Yaphet Kotto) and a compassionate ally (Jane Alexander), the warden brings abut some changes, but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line.

A socially conscious, politically liberal picture, this fact-based prison drama was helmed by Rosenberg (“Cool Hand Luke”), who replaced the original director, Bob Rafelson (“Five Easy Pieces”).

Oscar Nominations:

Original Screenplay

“Brubaker” was Oscar-nominated for co-screenwriter Arthur A. Ross, creator of Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) and father of writer-director Gary Ross.

Oscar Context:

The winner of the Original Screenplay Oscar was Bo Goldman for “Melvin and Howard.”

Credits

Running time: 131 Minutes.
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg