Brubaker (1980) User Reviews (65)

Don't start watching this one unless you about two and a quarter hours to spare.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 13 April 2011]

In my summary, I say not to watch this film unless you he two and a quarter hours to spare. That's because I made the mistake of starting the film around midnight--intending to only watch a few minutes and then go to bed. However, at almost 2:30am, I was still awake--ratcheted to the TV screen watching "Brubaker" until its exciting conclusion.

The film is essentially the experiences of Tom Murton as warden of a hellish prison in Arkansas--although unlike the movie, he did NOT enter the prison disguised as a prisoner. The horror of it all is what makes this very compelling viewing--and a film you should NOT let your kids watch. Rather vivid depictions of beatings, rapes and other violence against the prisoners (mostly by other prisoners) make this tough viewing--and the viewer should think about this first. Now this is NOT a criticism--the harsh language and violence is necessary to adequately show the horrible conditions existing in this prison in the 1960s. In many ways, it's much more horrific than "The Shawshank Redemption"--and unlike this Stephen King story, "Brubaker" is true. Corruption on a massive scale and the state's unwillingness to reform make this a very compelling movie.

Excellent acting by the ensemble cast make this an amazing movie to watch. And, not surprisingly, Robert Redford is his usual exceptional self. The only negative is that despite a great story and acting, the direction and editing are poor. An egregious example is late in the story. One of the trustees escape during a rain storm and is being tracked down by Brubaker and some other trustees. However, as they track him down there is dust everywhere and no trace of rain---talk about sloppy! Still, this is a minor technical quibble and the film is one of the best prison films I have seen.

Corruption and Murder told with cathartic style.

[hitchcockthelegend · 8/10 · 4 March 2008]

It's odd that whenever talk of Prison base films crops up you rarely see Brubaker mentioned as a viable piece of work, which to me personally is a damn shame because it's origin source provides a worthy story to be involved in.

Based on the writings of Tom Murton, a Prison Farm Reform Warden in Arkansas in the late 60s, the corruption and murder the film deals with is a very frightening reality, and although this film is obviously fictionalised to a degree, the evidence of the main themes can be found from many sources.

Robert Redford plays the title character who chooses to go into the prison farm as a convict to see at first hand how the Farm is run, what he sees shocks him to the core, which in turn rightly shocks the viewer as well. After learning all he needs to, he comes forward to take control of the Farm and tries to put an end to the torture, corruption and dank depression that is rife at the Farm. He has to deal with many obstacles along the way, and it's the strength of the man that has the viewer firmly onside all through the film.

The acting is emotionally spot on, the title role calls for a cool persona to not get flustered when faced with mounting resistance, and Redford delivers in spades. The main supporting cast of Yaphet Kotto, David Keith, Morgan Freeman, and Jane Alexander do very good work (believable), whilst the direction from Stuart Rosenberg ("Cool Hand Luke") is paced to perfection. The story is grimy and gnaws away at you, and then we get the ending that frustrates as much as it lifts the spirit, this is in my opinion a criminally undervalued piece of work. 8/10

Hard-hitting prison drama with Robert Redford

[Leofwine_draca · 8/10 · 26 November 2017]

BRUBAKER is another exemplary, hard-hitting slice-of-life prison drama from the director who brought us COOL HAND Luke. Robert Redford has never been better as a prison warden who goes undercover in his new posting in order to learn the ins and outs of the place - the ultimate UNDERCOVER BOSS! He soon learns that corruption is endemic in the system and vows to clean it out, with the usual repercussions. This lengthy drama is full to the brim of great sub-plots, moving scenes, fine character work from the supporting cast (David Keith and a debuting Morgan Freeman stand out alongside Yaphet Kotto, Joe Spinell, and Everett McGill as the guards) and a general quality feel. Overall, though, it's Redford himself who sells the picture, embodying his character with a real drive and spirit which is truly inspiring.

Personal Comments

[dbridges7 · 23 November 2005]

My belated two cents worth: The movie is based on the book, "Accomplises to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal," by Tom Murton. Tom was my roommate at Oklahoma A&M (now OK State U). I have discussed the film with Tom and read official State Police reports of the information on which the story dwells. The first few minutes when Robert Redford goes into the prison incognito was a device to inform the audience of conditions. The remainder of the film is factual, although embellished at points for audience interest. Redford did an outstanding performance representing Murton. At times I could almost believe that it was Murton standing there! Murton was advised by Governor Rockefeller that he had 48 hours to leave Arkansas or be charged with grave robbing. Official reason: lack of qualifications. How much does it take to qualify? Murton got a BS in Agriculture at A&M, and a Dr of Criminology at U Cal, Berkeley, was a Dept Marshal and had 20 years experience in corrections. Murton kept his sense of humor, keeping count of applications declined (he was "too controversial") for similar work (43 at last count), and remarked that one day another system would be so corrupt to demand his services. He died after teaching at Southern Illinois, U of Hawaii, and even his alma mater in Oklahoma. Waste of talent of a brilliant penologist.

In prison, even the stink 'stinks'

[freemanist · 7/10 · 27 February 2005]

Brubaker (Robert Redford) as a messiah-type, seemingly on the fringe of municipal importance, takes up the job of Warden at a Southern state penal farm and decides to see the extent of what he is up against by entering in disguise as just another inmate, with no privileges. He feels that to absorb the experience from the inside looking out is preferable to relying on preconceptions. He is right as the thrust of the film would have otherwise been lost and the overall plot (simple though it is) is stronger for the fact that Brubaker has 'been there'.

He manages to carve a bond with a few prisoners before he modestly reveals his true identity and, through a series of well acted confrontations, he begins to make the prison machine tick over nicely. In the final analysis his efforts are not totally successful, but the film does reflect change and at least the viewer can agree that he seized the chance to make a difference.

The film is possibly a bit too long and the principal character is under-developed. 'Brubaker' was apparently a rather mournful, strained film to work on and the original director, Bob Rafelson, was sacked for smacking Ron Silverman (producer) in the nose during an early on-set argument.

However, I think it is well acted and very absorbing to watch. I particularly enjoyed the scene where Brubaker gets his staff to release a few long term solitary confinements, stating that before they do so, the requisite pairs of sunglasses should be given to them as they come out of complete darkness for the first time in ages - the staff think Brubaker is crazy: of course, they cannot see that this is all about building trust. The master plan is therefore to get the inmates on board and allow the trustees to follow. Nice theory, not so nice to put into practice as he is up against a rancid, but self policing establishment from day one.

Watch out for Wilford Brimley as "Rogers" - a later teaming up with Redford took place in the outstanding "The Natural", with Brimley starring in a major role as the jaundiced, downtrodden, Pop Fisher.

Great Redford Film

[whpratt1 · 7/10 · 16 January 2008]

Enjoyed this film starring Robert Redford, (Henry Brubaker) who plays the role as a law enforcement officer who poses as an inmate at Wakefield Prison in Arkansas. Henry discovers many corrupt people in this prison and he eventually comes into power as the warden of this prison. This prison is ruled by corrupt politicians and prisoners who are working with prison guards who are stealing food and money from the prison funds. Henry also uncovers some buried graves of many prisoners who have been buried on the grounds of the Wakefield which starts a complete state investigation and changes some of the major problems at the prison. You will be surprised how this film ends and I must say that Robert Redford gave an outstanding performance in this film.

compelling grimy prison

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 10 December 2014]

A prisoner (Robert Redford) arrives at Wakefield State Penitentiary in Arkansas. He witnesses rampant abuse and corruption from the guards and prison officials. The prison is a dangerous overcrowded gulag. Eddie Caldwell (Everett McGill) is a cruel inmate given the powers of a guard. Larry Lee Bullen (David Keith) is a lifer trying to do right. Prisoner Walter (Morgan Freeman) suffering from solitary confinement takes Bullen hostage. The mysterious prisoner comes to the rescue revealing himself to be the new warden Henry Brubaker. He institutes reforms with the help of inmates Bullen and Dickie Coombes (Yaphet Kotto).

The scariest thing about this prison isn't the torture, the rape, or the corruption. It's that most of prison seems to be run by the inmates. The tower guards are prisoners. The clerks are prisoners. In fact, I can't tell who's not a prisoner. Brubaker is a bit too heroic. He's one of those impossible people and almost inhuman. It's trying to advocate something rather than be a compelling story. The prison is a gritty place. That's one of most compelling aspect of the movie.

The best prison picture ever

[bkoganbing · 10/10 · 16 June 2005]

Though Shawshank Redemption has gotten the critical raves and the box office receipts that could make it the best prison story ever filmed, my personal choice for the best film ever done about the penal system is Brubaker.

Based on the true life experiences of Thomas Murton, the co-author of the book the film is based on, Brubaker captures the realities of prison life, the complexities of trying to "reform" the system without sacrificing one iota of entertainment.

Robert Redford leads a great ensemble cast in this film. The people here are real, dealing with complex issues for which there are no simple answers. The corruption of the penal system runs deep and helped in part by the prisoners themselves who don't want to see too much change at once or have a vested interest in seeing things run just as they are. Yaphetto Kotto and Tim McIntire are two such prison trustees, both of them showing very different reasons why they don't like some or all of what Redford is doing as warden.

Among the supporting cast, I'd like to single out David Keith who was the best as the prisoner whose life Brubaker saves and ultimately becomes his biggest booster in the joint. A really outstanding job by David Keith as this simple country kid who just got caught up in "the system."

Rare you can say a film is informative as well as entertaining, but Brubaker definitely fits in both categories.

Redford stands out as the crusading governor determined to reform the most violent and corrupt jail farm in the whole of the US.

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 22 September 2020]

Robert Redford's greatest interpretation from his prestigious and long career , here as an obstinate , stubborn warden . He is Harry Brubaker , a reform-minded penologist who takes over the more decrepit and the vilest Ohio State Penitentiary resulting in unexpected consequences . The picture starts dramatically enough with Brubaker arriving undercover at the prison , masquerading as one of the convicts . He witnesses cruel and unusual punishments , the wholesale theft of prison food and the rape of a inmate . After that , its dramatic impact lessens unting a really touching final .The most wanted man in Wakefield prison is the warden!One man against a cruel system.

Riveting and provoking prison movie with outstanding performances and splendid direction , this exciting picture results to be an intense thriller that packs tension , straightforward intrigue , sober drama , and lots of violence . The film contains thrills and chills and is quite entertaining because being a laborious and intriguing tale full of surprises . In the picture there is violence , drama , tension and a little bit of action in the final confrontation . The story contains a statement about inmate's mistreating , despair , betrayal and a strong criticism of the ruling class , unable to control the prison situation while getting profits , as a good warden goes undercover only to discover the state prison system is even more rotten than its facilities . Most part of the movie takes place into four walls of the jail involving its inhabitants , showing the hard and brutal conditions of the inmates . Highlighting the classic actor Robert Redford as a new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas who tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate, giving a lesson in how he is able to withstand the weight of the flick . Jane Alexander's acting was equally excellent and other actors making a memorable works without falling into the prison movie clichés are the following ones : Tim McIntire as a dreaded warden , Yaphet Kotto as an upright inmate , John MacMartin as a corrupt senator , Albert Salmi as a new prison chief , David Keith as a brave prisoner , Linda Haynes , Everett McGill, Murray Hamilton , M. Emmet Walsh , Matt Clark , Noble Willingham, Wilford Brimley , Val Avery and Morgan Freeman . Good sets and appropriate scenarios , shot on location in Junction City Prison Farm, Junction City, Ohio,Lancaster, Ohio, Columbus , New Lexington, Ohio, US . It packs colorful and adequate cinematography by Bruno Nuytten . Atmospheric musical score by Lalo Schifrin in his usual style .

The motion picture was stunningly directed by Sturt Rosenberg , he undertakes a skill and fascinating filmmaking with some sensationalist touch though is also intensely manipulative against prison guards ; this is his main big success along with ¨Cool and Luke¨with Paul Newman . Rosenberg's magnificent shooting that underlines the strength of personalities involved , undercutting the less pleasant aspects and putting the focus squarely on Redford's tough performance and including the memorably unforgettable as well as moving end . Stuart Rosenberg was one of the best TV directors of the 50s and 60s and subsequently realized segment of crime and mystery series . In 1967 directed his first film , ¨Mystery Inc¨ , and subsequently the successful ¨Cool Hand Luke¨ with Paul Newman . Rosenberg and Newman attempted in vain to repeat the formula in three further movies together as ¨WUSA movie¨, ¨Pocket money¨ and ¨The drowning pool¨ . However he achieved other two hit smashes , in the terror genre with ¨The Amityville horror¨ and again with a prison film titled ¨Brubaker¨. Since then Rosenberg's output has been unsatisfactory and sporadic as ¨The Pope of Greenwich village ¨ a Mickey Rourke vehicle . Rosenberg directed 6 actors in Oscar nominated performances: Robert Redford , Peter Falk, Paul Newman, Lee Grant, Geraldine Page and George Kennedy . Rating : Above average , wholesome watching . Essential and indispensable seeing for the Robert Redford's fans .

Awesome movie.

[bzahner-1 · 10/10 · 3 February 2012]

I first saw this movie in 1980 when it came out. Growing up this was one of my very favorite movies. In the beginning when Brubaker sneaks into the prison as an inmate - this is the stuff that kids dream of. Nothing could be more exciting.

Slowed down a bit in the middle but picks up towards the end.

I thought it was a great movie then & after watching it again in 2012 still think it is awesome. Redford is great. Keith is great. Morgan Freeman is great. Well acted by all.

I don't comment on movies much because all I have to really say is - I like it.

Old McRedford had a farm

[Coventry · 6/10 · 18 September 2018]

Admittedly I've never been a great admirer of actor/director Robert Redford, but I do adore raw & gritty prison movies, especially from the 70s-80s period, and I was also blown away by the fabulous supportive cast! With names like Yaphet Koto, David Keith, M. Emmet Walsh, Everett McGill, Joe Spinell and even a still unknown Morgan Freeman in the line-up, this became an absolute must-see for me. Redford stars as the titular Brubaker, the newly appointed manager of a large prison farm in Southern Arkansas and initially posing as a randomly nameless inmate in order to observe how the institution is currently being run and how the prisoners are treated. With his little act, Brubaker exposes far more than he bargained for, as the supposedly exemplary and most beneficiary prison facility of the United States is really a hellhole full of corruption, greed, physical abuse and slavery. The regular prisoners live in miserable conditions and are submitted to hard labor on the farm fields, while the privileged "trustees" and even the local community entrepreneurs benefit tremendously from the farm's crops and harvests. Brubaker puts his career and even his healthy at risk to alter the situation, but can the deep roots of typical human greed and political corruption be dug out by one man?

I must confess it took me a while before I properly understood the hierarchy and organigram-structure of this prison farm! Apart from the manager and one buyer, there aren't any wardens or other staff members in this penitentiary. The "trustees" serve as wardens and fieldwork supervisors, but they are also convicted criminals and thus prisoners, only apparently, they have better and more influential friends. The trustees walk in and out of the prison gates, and basically can make their escape quite easily, but obviously they don't because their lives inside is much more luxurious and privileged. Neighboring businessmen also access the prison farm like it's a petting zoo, coming to ask the trustees for additional manpower or beneficial deals. The story is truly compelling and (I think) contemporary relevant, but unfortunately also monotonous. In the end, you are watching a 130 minutes movie in which every possible type of evil simply gets attributed to human greed and selfishness. If you compare "Brubaker" with prison epics like "Shawshank Redemption", "Beyond the Walls", Cell 211", "Shutter Island" or "Nightmare in Badham County", it comes out rather pale, but it's nonetheless a recommendable film with terrific acting and marvelous settings.

Get sent to jail, and you wonder whether this could happen.

[lee_eisenberg · 8/10 · 25 February 2006]

Robert Redford plays another dignified character, this time as new warden Henry Brubaker posing as an inmate in a corrupt prison to understand the deplorable conditions there. As is the case with any prison-related film, we get to see some really ugly things here. Maybe "Brubaker" goes a little overboard in portraying its main character as a saint, but considering that the main point is to show the inhumanity of this country's penal system (which apparently hasn't changed much since this movie came out), they do a good job. I'd say that it's another movie that, if nothing else, deserves kudos for disproving the "Disney-ized" version of the world that we often get shown. A very good movie.

New Broom Exposes Dirt.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 4 December 2006]

A thoughtful film, it is also sprinkled with all sorts of features designed to increase its box-office appeal. Redford is Brubaker, the new reform warden who enters the prison in the guise of a prisoner in order to get a worm's eye view of the goings on. (They're pretty crummy, what with patients having to pay for their own medical care from a corrupt doctor, insurance premiums paid to cover non-existent tractors but not collapsing roofs.) After ten or fifteen minutes he reveals his true identity and begins snapping out orders and cleaning things up. At this point it's rather like Superman emerging from the phone booth that Clark Kent entered, or Destry finally picking up a gun.

But Redford learns that prisons, like wars, must operate within political constraints. He is told of a field full of buried bodies and begins to dig them up, despite the entreaties of his political friends and advisers, who try to talk him out of it or buy him off with the prison improvements he's been fighting for. It's not even clear that the bodies have been illegally buried, much less murdered as he suspects. The place used to be a pauper's graveyard, he's told.

But nothing will wreck a reform agenda faster than zealotry. Before you can say Reign of Terror, Redford is relieved of his job and is driven away -- to the sad but appreciative applause of the prisoners he's leaving behind. That should leave the viewer uplifted alright.

What a complicated and dynamic place a prison must be to be properly run. Some of the inmates have been railroaded but most of them have been (or have become) the cold-blooded psychopaths they're so often labeled. A warden must walk a tightrope between seeing that the men are treated decently but not given Jacuzzis. Redford, as it turns out, has pretty good balance in this regard, but if he were really concerned about getting his job done he would have compromised and stopped digging quite so hard.

Nice cast of supporting players. Jane Alexander is always good. Matt Clark is effectively devious as Redford's clerk (he's about the only inmate who can read and write) who participates in the murder of a helpless and naive old prisoner. Redford is about as authoritative as he can be in his minimalist way. He's not George C. Scott playing Patton.

The movie rolls along smoothly and takes us with it. We WANT Redford to succeed. But the box-office stuff just doesn't ring true. The sudden emergence of Redford's latent identity as the warden, a shootout with shotguns resulting in two deaths, the inmates applauding and whistling for the disgraced warden as he leaves. It detracts from the more important story and leaves us happy but with an armful of unanswered questions. (Just who ARE those guys buried on prison property?) The inmates may now "respect themselves as human beings", as Redford claims, but how long will it take the new replacement warden to reduce them to their original rags and despondency? I wish it had been better, though it's involving enough. It was directed by Stuart Rosenberg who injected a lot more life into Don Pearce's "Cool Hand Luke." Pearce, by the way, like Warden Brubaker, was a true original.

Sometimes factual = boring ........

[merklekranz · 5/10 · 27 August 2019]

As prison movies go, I'm sure "Brubaker" might have enough facts to make a compelling story. Unfortunately the execution borders on tedious. There are way too many trustees, and these characters are unsatisfactorily developed. Robert Redford as the warden severely lacks excitement, and thus the main character's boring performance sets the stage for long periods of nothing much happening. For viewers seeking an action packed prison film, look elsewhere for certain. This might have played best as a docudrama on the "History Channel", but for entertainment it lacks impact. Liberals will undoubtably find something to like, but that's why "Brubaker" fails to impress, because it comes across more as a statement than entertainment. - MERK

Not a Disney feel-good

[mikedonovan · 16 April 2002]

BRUBAKER is my kind of movie; grim, realistic, stimulating and a story based around a great struggle between right and wrong. Robert Redford plays Brubaker (based on the real life story of one Thomas Murton of Arkansas, not to be confused with Thomas Merton, the poet) who tries to bring decency to an Arkansas prison that is corrupt from top to bottom. There are rotten scoundrels among the prisoners and some decent men as well. What is worse, Brubaker has to fight a State bureaucracy full of characters who are even more slimy and despicable than the worst of the prisoners. Along with basic reforms, he is out to uncover a series of murders, prisoners who were murdered and secretly buried. He is really up against it and its tough not to get emotionally involved. The writing and acting is more than ok. Redford is very good in spite of being a little too pretty for the rugged guy part. He's the only one in the movie with the 300-dollar blow dry haircut. This reminds me of the movie MARIE, another flick about a single warrior battling a corrupt state system. The Grape Nuts Guy (W Brimley) and the guy who played Mrs. Robinson's husband (M Hamilton)put in a good performance as despicable bureaucrats. Very little background music is another mature plus.

A good, feel-bad movie; and as a Bostonian, it's hard to hate a film that has a character in it named Fenway Park.

Unique Prison Tale

[iquine · 7/10 · 4 June 2017]

(Flash Review)

The good 'ol boys down in Arkansas aren't happy with the new prison warden who is trying to uproot generations of corruption at the expense of the prisoners. Redford poses as an undercover boss for two weeks as an inmate to get a firsthand look at how this prison is being operated. Many people stealing from the government's teet. The more he uncovers, the more the officials and surprisingly some inmates become increasingly disgruntled. How much will he uncover? How many incriminating things will he uncover or even be able to change? This is a fairly novel screenplay for the prison movie genre and kept me hooked for the duration. Swift editing keeps the story moving. There is surprisingly solid cinematography for a 1980 movie. Solid drama. A must if you are a Redford fan.

One of the best prison movie

[silversurfer_umit · 7/10 · 1 May 2009]

Firstly I have to say that this is one of the best prison movie I have ever watched. Robert Redford is a very very good choice for the role of brubaker. He made a good job in this movie. No need to say something about the story because it already nominated to an academy award, it was really really good. As an addition; seeing middle-aged morgan freeman as a mad prisoner was a good experience. I also liked David keith acting and his character in the movie.

Secondly I liked about the movie is giving importance to the details like brubaker's prison management. He shows to every manager; how should be a manager like? He is interested in everything about the prisoners and their problems of course. His attitude against politicians was also interesting to watch.

Lastly this was a good movie also a very good prison movie. It is some harsh but it suits this story. If you like prison movies you should watch this one. A good experience to watch and analyze a degenerated system.

While fiction, there is reality knocking at your door...

[bheadher · 7/10 · 6 August 2017]

If you think the corruption and brutality in this movie is just fantasy, I have some news for you...

The corruption and brutal treatment of prisoners at state prisons was too often very real, until they were uncovered and dealt with. And it was not limited to the deep southern states, either. In fact, of the ten most infamous prisons in the US, five of them are in northern and western states...that doesn't mean the south gets a free ride though. Most of the southern prisons were notorious for the chain gangs, and some were identified for the corruption as well. The difference in the movie Brubaker, is that the corruption displayed is totally open and everybody knows about it...in reality, corruption was usually very localized, and many officials simply had no idea it was so rampant.

Brubaker is an eye opener of a movie, and deserves every one of the stars...

A shock to the system

[Rodrigo_Amaro · 8/10 · 11 September 2013]

This almost forgotten film should be analyzed today after its unexpected and unimagined possibility of an alternate reality that wasn't a complete fabrication. The story of a prison warden who wants to change everything that's wrong in the prison system of his state really happened. "Brubaker" focus on a challenge to a corrupt system that on the surface seems to be doing its service of punishing convicted criminals but also is a vile and dirty business whose purpose is to profit above all costs.

The lead character, played by an unusual and remarkable Robert Redford, is introduced to us as a prisoner who barely speaks but observers everything concerning how inmates are treated by the guards, how the machine works behind bars and the constant brutality of the place. The plot twist to everyone is when he presents himself as the new warden and he sets up a whole reformation on the place, condemning what's wrong and doing what he believes it's right. There's plenty of benefits for the prisoners but the guards and the businessman who always gained advantages with the old administration aren't happy about this, and that misery and dissatisfaction goes back to the people who hired him, the governor and his staff who now pressure the man to go easy with his work. After all, they are losing a lot of money obtained with frauds and illegal schemes. One man alone means nothing so Brubaker is helped by some inmates and a local authority (Jane Alexander) who is close to the state governor, and will try to convince everyone that Brubaker's idealism if put to work can be profitable for everyone involved.

Brubaker's idea isn't just to denounce the illegal affairs of the state and make budget cuts. He's more concerned with the way convicted felons are treated, want to stop their exploitation and make the place a safe environment instead of the critical animal factories that don't punish anyone but is only useful to transform them into bigger monsters whose only fate is either death, or commit more violent crimes or to return to the animal factory again. Sure, this idea is good and valuable but not practical. In the film's case, it fails because one can't change a system unless if one being part of it; Brubaker made the terrible mistake of not firing the whole officials team, and those guys still managed to cause harm and work their way behind his back; and the people with the money will always speak higher.

Such idealism wouldn't work today, that's sure but it could worth a shot, specially in countries where the private initiative isn't the option (because politics are having their big time with a failing system that pays them well). Today's criminal minds are far more worse than the ones from the 1980's when this was made and they probably wouldn't leave a place where they could feel as if being on a hotel, practically with the cell keys on their hands, dictating orders like Pablo Escobar did in his "prison" time. But it can be made. And that final image of accomplish given here says everything even though things didn't turned the way it could.

The film has a fine progression and it's greatly well acted by Alexander, Redford and heightened by convincing performances from trustworthy character actors Everett McGill, David Keith, Yaphet Kotto, Matt Clark, M. Emmet Walsh, Murray Hamilton and a young Morgan Freeman. "Brubaker" has that rare quality of being dreamy, that enlightening power some movies have in our reality and we want to believe of making a dream possible. To change the world. 8/10

Prison Corruption.

[AaronCapenBanner · 7/10 · 1 October 2013]

Robert Redford stars in director Stuart Rosenberg's biographical account of Henry Brubaker, who goes undercover as an inmate at a southern prison where he is to be the new warden. He does this in order to evaluate for himself the extent of the alleged corruption taking place there. Once he does, he reveals himself to the prison authorities, who are of course shocked by the deception, and will continue to be after Brubaker implements a series of reforms to improve conditions. Those in the system who profited from the illegal activities decide to fight back, and make political trouble for the new warden, who has further uncovered a worse scandal...a score of unmarked prisoner graves.

Well-directed and scripted film features fine performances by all, which also includes Yaphet Kotto and Morgan Freeman as prisoners, and Murray Hamilton in his last performance. A companion piece of sorts to "Cool Hand Luke".

You can't reform the system if you're not in it.

[lastliberal · 8/10 · 25 May 2007]

W.D. Richter did the screenplay for the 1978 remake of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He also did the screen story for this Robert Redford film about prison reform. In fact his screenplay/story was nominated for an Oscar.

I know prison reform is an anachronism today. Incarceration is simply removal from society with no concern for rehabilitation.

The film is based on real life. Thomas Murton of Arkansas tried to fix the system. I grew up in Arkansas and was exposed to stories about the "Tucker Telephone" from the Tucker prison farm, and stories of bodies of murdered prisoners being dug up on prison grounds.

So Redford sports a John Edwards haircut in the film, he still does a great job. He is assisted in this film by Yaphet Kotto, who I always enjoy, and Morgan Freeman.

Inside looking out...

[Lejink · 7/10 · 8 July 2011]

Unremittingly tough jail-drama set in the modern-day but somehow feeling retro in many ways. There's a good true-to-life story here, of a newly installed reforming prison governor attempting a root and branch reform of the corrupt, inhumane and as it turns out evil practices at a prison somewhere in the prison south. Baulked by politics as his reforms start to make themselves felt, Redford's title character must decide whether or not to toe the party line and compromise his beliefs.

For me, the story was weakened by just too any scenes coming over as second-hand, witnessed in so many prison dramas of yore. At least the movie tells its story from a different point of view, in placing Brubaker at the centre of the drama and not the usually heroic prisoners.

The cinematography is excellent, as, for the most part is the ensemble acting. I'm not convinced Redford was right for the part, his good looks yet again working against him and his performance falling short of the crusading zeal the part demands. He rarely seems to get really angry, which is strange, as there's plenty for a liberal like him to rail against. I wasn't convinced by the over melodramatic "Spartacus" meets "Goodbye Mr Chips" finish, which just didn't ring true.

All that said, I was reasonably engrossed all the way through but didn't in the end feel the film conveyed a suitably dramatic arc, or insightful delineation of character, to really make it remarkable.

Good, yes, but not great.

A Truly Fascinating Story!

[gab-14712 · 9/10 · 20 October 2017]

Brubaker is one of those underseen hidden gems I had no idea existed until I began researching little-known movies that might peak my interest. I adore prison dramas no matter how ordinary or clichéd they may be. This movie is abundant of prison movie clichés, but it is the political nature of the story that fascinated me, as well as the strong cast. Let's get the bitter stuff out of the way first. What do I mean by a clichéd story? It is all about the characters and who they represent. We got the idealistic reformer, the tough-as-nails colored guard, the rotten person on the prison board, and the psycho prisoner. These type of characters pop up in nearly all prison movies, but at least we have a very talented cast playing these roles with near perfection.

Before I can delve in with what fascinated me the most, we need to discuss the plot. There is a new prison warden at Wakefield Prison. Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford) decides to begin his new position in an unorthodox way-disguised as an inmate. He looks, thinks, and pays attention to what the situation is at the prison. After having enough of the corruption, he reveals himself as the new warden. His agenda is ending the corruption once and for all. When the local business community led by John Deach (Murray Hamilton), whom benefits from the corruption begins to fight back, Brubaker is going to have plenty of trouble on his hands Now we got that out of the way, I will talk about what truly fascinated me about the movie: the corruption of the prison system and the attempted overhaul of the system. One thing that struck out to me immediately is that there are no prison guards. Instead, there are prisoner trustees that get promotions if they shoot any escaping prisoners. The first thirty or so minutes of the film highlights the brutality such as the beatings, the sexual assaults, the bribery, and so forth. The way Brubaker revealed himself to his prisoners is very genius and it gives him a sense of all the corruption happening around him. But then the underlying theme that change is hard for some people happens. We get a sense of how big this corruption scam is. How all the people in the local community are benefiting from this scam. The movie does a great job highlighting the events in the movies.

Because the story is moved forward though events, the characterization of the people in the movie is an afterthought. It did not bother me as it may have bothered other people, mainly because the story intrigued me. That being said, the cast did a terrific job. The one character that was fleshened out was Robert Redford's Brubaker. Redford is a really talented actor and his performance kept you riveted, although I kept thinking he seems too nice to be a prison warden. We all know Murray Hamilton gets through by being a slimeball, and that is no difference here. We get an early Morgan Freeman performance as one of the deranged prisoners spent too much time under solitary confinement. There are also notable supporting character performances from the likes of Yaphet Kotto (from Alien fame) and Jane Alexander. There characters were not written well, but the actual performances were solid.

Overall, Brubaker is an underrated gem. It is a drama that highlights the corruption in the prison system and what makes this film more interesting is that it is based on the true life events of warden Thomas Murton who was hired by Arkansas governor Winthrop Rockefeller to reform one of the prisons, but was let go after one year due to bad publicity. W.D Richter's screenplay does manage to convey how Brubaker's methods created bad press for the town. More care could have been given to the characters, but it is the story that truly moved me. As a fan of prison dramas, I added one more prison drama to my list.

My Grade: A-

Corruption and Squalor

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 10 February 2017]

The new warden (Robert Redford) of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.

I don't think this is one of Redford's better-known films, and the true story it is based off of is not well known either. But it is a darn fine film, and if for no other reason, people should see it for the young Morgan Freeman. At this point in his career, he didn't even have the full "voice of God" yet.

What I find most interesting about this story is not the treatment of the prisoners, but how those on the outside abused the system. In real life, did they really purchase all sorts of equipment that was never sent? That is major corruption. And the "slave labor" seems sketchy, even more questionable than the 13th Amendment's rules allow.

Bleeding-heart melodrama

[moonspinner55 · 5/10 · 21 January 2007]

Rather cold adaptation of Joe Hyams' book has Robert Redford appearing to play a convict housed at a rough prison work farm for men, but he's really the new warden getting to know his prisoners first hand. Rabble-rouser is an odd choice for Redford, this genre having peaked in the late 1960s with "Cool Hand Luke". The supporting cast is strong, particularly Yaphet Kotto and, in the film's strongest sequence, a young Morgan Freeman, yet the twist in the plot doesn't strengthen an otherwise well-worn formula. Troubles with the film's pacing and continuity can be traced to the problematic direction, and Redford's star-power can only take it so far. ** from ****