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Brubaker (1980)

Brubaker (1980)
Member Rating:  
Fact-based drama starring Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker, the new inmate at a run-down Southern prison that's become notorious for corruption and violence. After he witnesses several instances of gross misconduct and defuses a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate (Morgan Freeman), Brubaker reveals to the guards and administrators that he's not a criminal at all, but the new warden, assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover. His identity confirmed, Brubaker takes office and sets about shaping up policies and procedures, despite resistance from, incredibly, even some of the more entitled convicts. With the help of the prison's chief trustee (Yaphet Kotto) and a compassionate ally (Jane Alexander), the warden effects some positive change, but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line. A reform-minded, socially conscious, and politically liberal picture of the type usually associated with director Norman Jewison, this fact-based prison drama was the result of a troubled production that saw original director Bob Rafelson replaced with Cool Hand Luke (1967) and The Amityville Horror (1979) helmsman Stuart Rosenberg. Despite the backstage turmoil, Brubaker was an acclaimed release and an Oscar-nominated, career-finale triumph for co-screenwriter Arthur A. Ross, creator of Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) and father of successful writer/director Gary Ross. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto, (more)
Director(s):
Stuart Rosenberg
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Brubaker

Fact-based drama starring Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker, the new inmate at a run-down Southern prison that's become notorious for corruption and violence. After he witnesses several instances of gross misconduct and defuses a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate (Morgan Freeman), Brubaker reveals to the guards and administrators that he's not a criminal at all, but the new warden, assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover. His identity confirmed, Brubaker takes office and sets about shaping up policies and procedures, despite resistance from, incredibly, even some of the more entitled convicts. With the help of the prison's chief trustee (Yaphet Kotto) and a compassionate ally (Jane Alexander), the warden effects some positive change, but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line. A reform-minded, socially conscious, and politically liberal picture of the type usually associated with director Norman Jewison, this fact-based prison drama was the result of a troubled production that saw original director Bob Rafelson replaced with Cool Hand Luke (1967) and The Amityville Horror (1979) helmsman Stuart Rosenberg. Despite the backstage turmoil, Brubaker was an acclaimed release and an Oscar-nominated, career-finale triumph for co-screenwriter Arthur A. Ross, creator of Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) and father of successful writer/director Gary Ross. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
130 mins

Complete Cast of Brubaker


Director(s):
Stuart Rosenberg
Writer(s):
Arthur A. Ross, W.D. Richter
Producer(s):
Ron Silverman, Ted Mann
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Language, Adult Situations, Brief Nudity, Not For Children, Violence)
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
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    Lance D.

    This film is based upon a book Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal (1969) written by a former warden in Arkansas. The terrible living conditions and the discovery of unmarked graves is factual information, as is the use of trustees (i.e., prisoners) as security rather than having a hired contingent of guards. If you find this difficult to wrap your mind around, do a little research, and you'll find that this is not some Hollywood "creation", but instead illustrates how some prisons - particularly in Arkansas - were run back then. The acting is sub-par, but I think the story is very good as it focuses in upon prison corruption and Redford's attempt - and the very real challenges he faced - to reforming the system. Another aspect the film got right is the psychology of the men who were incarcerated. The ending was a bit weak, which probably led to me giving it half a star less in terms of the overall rating.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Zach L.

    Robert Redford is great in this one. This is the 2nd best prison movie of all time (after Shawshank Redemption of course).

    Yes   |   No

     
    Gary G.

    compelling drama

    Yes   |   No

     
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