Fortress (1992) User Reviews (91)

Interesting sci-fi from Stuart Gordon

[Bogey Man · 7/10 · 2 July 2002]

Stuart Gordon began his career as a director with Re-Animator, a classic horror comedy that has a huge cult status and deservedly so. Fortress was his first entry to non-horror oriented field, even though Fortress still has many horror elements, too. Christopher Lambert plays a military officer in the near future, where it is allowed to have only one child per couple. He and his wife broke that order and they are sentenced to high security modern prison Fortress, set in the middle of desert. There are many inmates there and everyone wants to get out, but if someone breaks the rules, the punishment will be death or torture by the sadistic boss and wardens..

This was surprisingly great film, and Gordon did fine job with the film. It was filmed entirely in Australia and the film was first big budget movie for Gordon. He said that he wanted to do a sci-fi action film with brains, too, and that he wanted to discuss some topical issues with his film. These issues are over population and alarming/scary development of technology, and even though the film is not too deep or philosophical, it has these aspects of commentary about society and our everyday world, and what it should not be. This is not as satiric or intelligent as Paul Verhoeven's Robocop, for instance, but still it is little more than just average blast 'em action film set in the future.

The settings are very great and technically this film is fantastic as there are no flaws in camera use and editing. This reminded me little bit of Robocop's future cities, and both films are marvelously staged. The action is plenty and it is exciting and professionally done and shot. Occasionally the film reminded me also of Paul Anderson's Soldier, the non-stop action mayhem film starring Kurt Russell. Christopher Lambert is not as multi leveled actor as possible, but still he has certain kind of charisma and he is easy to watch in his films. Kurtwood Smith played the bad guy in Robocop, and he plays bad guy in Fortress, too, but not as NEAR as bad as in Robocop's manic performance.

Due to the film's violence and fierce moments, this is pretty close to Paul Verhoeven's style of making action films, as couple of scenes are very violent and almost too violent for this kind of mainstream production, and as far as I know, this had to be trimmed by two violent scenes to get the R rating in US, and this slightly cut version has been released also on DVD in US and Europe. I saw the uncut version on VHS and there are couple of over-the-top bloody shootings and two gory stomach explosions, of which the second is VERY gory. It is easy to see the film is directed by the man behind the hilariously ultra gory Re-Animator. The violence in Fortress isn't funny in the tradition of Re-Animator; It is serious because the film itself is serious, not the kind of half comedy like Re-Animator.

The film is perhaps little too slow moving in the middle part but for most of the time, this works fine and pleased me very much, and proves the talent of Gordon in other genres than horror, too. I give this 7/10 rating and recommend this to anyone interested in sci-fi and action cinema. It's not a masterpiece but still very noteworthy piece of 90's science fiction and action cinema.

Crime does not pay.

[Hey_Sweden · 7/10 · 22 November 2014]

"Fortress" is mostly routine, but enjoyable, futuristic sci-fi from director Stuart Gordon (of "Re-Animator" and "From Beyond" fame). It has an excellent cast of familiar faces that make the most out of what they've got, especially Kurtwood Smith ("RoboCop", 'That 70s Show'). There are acceptable levels of violence and gore, the production design and lighting are adequate, and Gordon does a very fine job with pacing and energy level. The producers originally wanted Arnold Schwarzenegger as the star, but he went on to do "True Lies" instead (it was Ah-nuld that suggested Gordon as the director of this feature).

Some interesting ideas are present in this tale of a husband and wife, John and Karen (Christopher Lambert and Loryn Locklin) who are expecting their second child, despite the fact that the law now forbids couples from having more than one kid. (They tried again because the first child was born dead.) They're caught and sentenced to do time at the "Fortress", a massive, multi leveled high tech prison. It's run by your standard issue sadistic warden, a man named Poe (Mr. Smith). John, forced into an overcrowded cell, makes plans with his cellmates to escape, although this place is supposed to be escape-proof.

Lambert is no better or worse than he usually is. Locklin is reasonably appealing. The supporting cast is pretty eclectic: Lincoln Kilpatrick ("Chosen Survivors", Renny Harlins' "Prison") as Abraham, Jeffrey Combs of the "Re-Animator" series (rocking a shoulder length wig here) as D-Day, Clifton Collins Jr. ("Tigerland", "Pacific Rim") as Gomez, Tom Towles ("House of 1000 Corpses", "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer") as Stiggs, and Vernon Wells ("The Road Warrior", "Commando") as Maddox. That's Gordons' actress wife Carolyn supplying the voice of the computer intelligence Zed-10. Smith, whose character will have some surprises in store, is an effective and not completely one-dimensional antagonist.

"Fortress" hits the ground running, and offers decent entertainment for a fairly trim 95 minute run time.

Seven out of 10.

Futuristic riot!

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 21 June 2011]

2017, a dystopian future, and US Army officer John Henry Brennick (Christopher Lambert) and his wife Karen S. Brennick (Loryn Locklin) are expecting a second child. Strict one-child policies forbid any couples having a second child, but the Brennick's first child died at birth so they attempt to get away with a second pregnancy. They are caught trying to cross the border and sent to a maximum security prison that is owned and run by the "MenTel Corporation" A place where dreams are not your own and all thoughts of escape are dealt with severely by futuristic methods unheard of in the civilised world.

You got Connor MacLeod, Herbert West, Clarence J. Boddicker and one of the finest female bottoms in cinema, all crammed into one riotous, hokey and immeasurably fun movie. It probably wont come as much of a surprise to anyone to learn that this Christopher Lambert starrer is not going to have you scratching the cranial matter and pondering the future of mankind. But it does have some interesting ideas both in terms of its prison setting and in the technological advancements used. I mean hey, would you try to escape if you had an intestinal bomb set to go off outside the perimeters? {think The Running Man's neck braces but in your belly}. It can also be said of Fortress that it's not over ambitious, where director Stuart Gordon is aware of his restraints and keeps it simple but sparky, of which this is aided by Lambert buffing up and throwing punches left right and off kilter. Tho nothing much as an actor, Lambert none the less gives the likes of Sly and Arnie a run for their money here and looks every inch and sinew an action hero.

Kurtwood Smith, Jeffrey Combs, Lincoln Kilpatrick, Clifton Collins Jr. and of course,Loryn Locklin's bottom, all add varying degrees of fun and frolics to the occasion. While the set design for the interiors is really rather snazzy. It's B movie berserker time folks, a dystopian world where Christopher Lambert can beat the crap out of blokes twice his size, where half humanoids have flame throwers for arms, and Kurtwood Smith is in charge of a prison. Great fun really, truly. 7/10

Using sci-fi stratagem to make political statements.

[Spike-65 · 7/10 · 15 August 1999]

***Possible Spoiler Attached*** * * *

At first glance this film is just another sci-fi flick with a mediocre plot and sometimes dull dramatics. The pundits have been less than generous with their praise, of a movie that fails to deliver what the trailers promise. Fortunately it has a few redeeming features.

The premise of a society with boundaries on conception is not a new one, infact at the time when this film was released, China was very much in the news for limiting couples to one child only. But while trying to deal with a very real scenario, albeit in the 'global' future, the film crew and management had their own brush with Australian authorities regarding the use of 'local' talent preferentially on the Aussie set. Despite the associated delays and bad press, the film was completed, much to the delight of sci-fi aficionados.

Christophe Lambert portrays an ex-marine John Brennick who's wife Karen (played ably by Loryn Locklin) is expecting her second child. Their first child died and during an attempt to cross the border into Mexico, the land of the free(sic), they are taken prisoner. Transported to an underground prison, they fight technology, hard labour (no pun intended) and a prison warden called Poe (believably evil and portrayed by Kurtwood Smith). It would seem that Poe has been reading too many of his namesake's books, leading to a rather deviant bent, a lust for married women and psychedelic dreams, plus (due to genetic enhancement) the inability to hold his drink.

Once Brennick decides he's had enough, he attempts a breakout, with his cell-mates in tow. One by one they are eliminated by various cyborgs, until there is just the Brennicks and Nino (Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez) heading for the border in the truck that brought them all to the prison. The ending is a little bland, with one version showing the Brennicks and baby, while the other shows Nino being terminated by the truck. Does this all sound a little implausible? Tough....it's sci-fi.... what else do you expect?

Actually, once you get past the bad acting by some of the Aussies and some very plastic props, the film isn't that bad. It deals with complex social issues; those of overpopulation (which generally means first world values foisted on third world countries), incarceration in prisons run by private companies (a concept currently being adopted world-wide), and the love of a man for his wife and child.

Christophe and Kurtwood are both capable of creating stylised characters, something they succeed in doing (shame that Kurtwood later lost the plot in That 70's Show). If you are into sci-fi, future-world or true kick-arse action, then watch it.

2017 was a Harsher Time

[DasBobsWorld · 6/10 · 14 January 2019]

Who knew that watching Raw Deal and then Fortress would make a fantastic over the top action doubleheader. Well, movie nerds and action aficionados, but not me. In my attempt to go through movies I should have seen by now, I bring you Fortress. A Stuart Gordon Sci-Fi action movie about a private underground supermax prison in the future year of 2017.

It is scary that I felt like there are things in this that I felt could have very much come about in that year. Private prisons, population control, cops killing civilians, half-human half-machine prison wardens made from the non-aborted babies of the prisoners...well one of those things may be a stretch.

Plot-wise, after being caught at the Canadian border trying to escape America with his wife who is pregnant with their second child. Chris Lambert gets arrested and thrown in an underground supermax prison in the middle of the desert. Here he is fitted with a device called the "Intestinator" which, when he is misbehaving or moving outside of where he should be will make his intestines explode. After finding out that his wife is alive and still pregnant, Lambert begins a weirdly convoluted way escaping which includes, using a hidden intestinator out of someone else stomach, his pregnant wife shacking up with the warden, and having his mind melted in a machine they use at theme parks. In the end, while the exploding people filled with blue goo are fun to watch, the move isn't really a thinker.

Although, there are a lot of creepy ideas in this. Since abortion is illegal the prisons keep the babies birthed from the women prisoners and meld them with machines as well as things they find on the floor to make the perfect hybrid human. The warden is a successful attempt at it, while the guards on are not. It a nice add-on that keeps the goofiness at bay just a bit.

I really enjoyed this film. I know there are a ton of flaws to it, and it kinds of looks like a sad grey tower of bland. Fortress just has too much weird and goofy to not be fun. Add in some hardcore violence, and exploding people and it's hard not to enjoy yourself.

Slightly above average, good enough to watch if you're into the genre

[TBJCSKCNRRQTreviews · 6/10 · 21 June 2004]

First of all, lets get one thing straight: Christopher Lambert makes B-movies. I've never seen him in anything that wasn't a B-movie, and as far as I know, he hasn't done one single non-B-movie for his entire career. This particular B-movie, however, is more interesting and entertaining than that of the typical B-movie; the story revolves around a few people in the not-too-distant future(the year 2017, if I remember correctly) who are in a futuristic gigantic prison, which is said to be impossible to break out of. So, naturally they try to break out. The plot is OK, it moves along at a pretty good pace, never really loses your interest or bores you. The acting is all bad, but what do you expect from a B-movie? It has plenty of action to keep you distracted from the horrid acting, so it probably won't bother that many people. The characters are all cliches, but, again, what do you expect? The action and sci-fi parts of the film are reasonably entertaining, and pretty good for a B-movie. The film depicts a gloomy futuristic fascist world, but that's nothing that hasn't been seen many times before. All in all, a pretty typical B-movie, just a notch higher in quality than most others. I recommend it to fans of action/sci-fi B-movies and/or Christopher Lambert. 6/10

Fun, but lacking a few things

[BroadswordCallinDannyBoy · 7/10 · 15 October 2006]

A man and his wife are caught trying to escape the totalitarian government that rules the future USA. Their crime: having a second child. Their punishment: confinement in a large underground facility that monitors the inmates right down to their thoughts. Brennick soon becomes determined to find a way of the facility.

Directed by Stuart Gordon, the man responsible for the visceral cult classic "Re-Animator," has given this film much of that same punch. And that is what partly makes "Fortress" quite a fun watch despite its many limitations. The pacing is quite good and keeps things moving along. The character angles are decent and the overall design is nicely innovative and not overdone with a fake gloss. However, the film does fall a bit on its face with providing any sort of metaphor or truly thought provoking science fiction. You've kind of seen all this before in some form or another and the biggest disappointment is the abrupt and sappy ending. "Re-Animator" had a very nice and catchy ending so I thought Gordon would have another surprise like that waiting here, but sadly there is none.

But that aside, this is an enjoyable film and seeing those early 90s computer effects at work is always fun, especially since the ones here never try to outrun themselves. Fun stuff, save for the ending. 7/10

Rated R: graphic violence, and profanity

Passable Science Fiction/Prison movie with high-tech effects and lots of action

[ma-cortes · 5/10 · 1 December 2004]

The film deals upon a happy family (Christopher Lambert and Loryn Locklyn), then Lambert is imprisoned because another son was born and in the future it's prohibited . John Brennick is incarcerated in a modern electronic prison called the "Fortress" where the inmates are controlled by lasers , cameras , mind-scanners , neutron-cannons and other electronic artifacts . Prison chief (Kurtwood Smith , in the sequel he was replaced by Patrick Malahide , though he was considered for the role) is a villain who punishes to inmates with tortures and using cruel tech-security measures . Christopher Lambert along with other prisoners (Jeffrey Combs , Vernon Wells and Tom Towles) will face off the director and his henchmen .

This thriller picture blends suspense , violence , drama , action pace , struggles and a little bit of gore when the murders happen , including technological pain-causing artifacts in their stomachs . Dealing with a thorny theme , illegal babies during strict controls on over-population and a private corporation bent on mind control in inmates by very various as well as violent ways . The final confrontation between the starring and baddies is stimulating and has some extraordinary surprises . Decent acting by Christopher Lambert as John Brennick , he replaced originally cast Arnold Schwarzenegger who dropped out to do another boxofficed film : True lies . Good support cast , such as as Jeffrey Combs , Vernon Wells and Tom Towles .

Runtime film is adequate , it is fast moving and is neither boring, nor tiring , but bemusing . Good cinematography , being filmed at Warner Brothers Movie World in Queensland , Australia . The flick was professionally directed by Stuart Gordon . He is a successful writer/producer/director who has directed some hits . As first major success , Re-Animator (1985) , based on the story by H.P. Lovecraft , which won a Critics' Prize at the Cannes Film Festival . Gordon then helmed another Lovecraft adaptation From Beyond (1986) and tackled the murderous Dolls (1987) followed by Robot Jox (1989). And other terror movies as The pit and the pendulum , and the screenplays : The Dentist and Body Snatchers . The ¨Fortress¨ motion picture obtained success enough and originated a second part which is similar to previous with the difference that is developed in a space station prison and the cast is similar , adding Pam Grier . The film will appeal to Science fiction fans and action-packed enthusiasts . Rating : 6/10 , acceptable .

Break out...

[fmarkland32 · 6/10 · 31 July 2006]

In the future having more than one baby is illegal, Christopher Lambert and his trophy wife Loryn Locklin has broken this law, so they are sent to a futuristic prison where sadistic Kurtwood Smith runs things with excruciating fury of the worst degree. After proving himself as a man not to be messed with (If you catch my drift) Lambert rallies the prisoners and leads a breakout of the highest order and causes general chaos throughout. Christopher Lambert has always been hit and miss, he made the excellent Highlander, made forgettable comedies and then made the dungheap sequel everyone knows about (The Quickening, for those fortunate not to have seen it) however Fortress represents one of Lambert's best works, which is good in that it's consistently watchable and interesting through out but bad because it isn't fantastic and which speaks how good Lambert's movies in general were. Fortress however earns most of it's points with the atmosphere as Gordon (Who helmed the excellent Re-Animator) puts in a style which overall makes the prison clichés elude the mind as we are convinced that there is enough creativity in it's story to work beyond the prison foundation it was build on. Fortress however is indeed a B.movie and although it has it's share of plot holes (How are dreams detected and how come you can't dream about sex and yet prison rape is allowed?) and flaws but for an entertaining sci-fi prison thriller, Fortress works more often than not.

* *1/2 out of 4-(Pretty good)

Pretty silly but enjoyable low-grade stuff.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 5/10 · 16 January 2010]

I have always enjoyed watching "Fortress", no matter how bad the actual movie is. And that is of course also exactly what these type of movies got made for; to bring some mindless entertainment.

The movie in itself is still pretty bad though. The story is quite ridicules and filled with some highly unlikely moments and plot-holes. I mean really, if this is supposed to be a future thought out and created to perfection, it should be back to the drawing boards for the scientists and world leaders, who came up with this stuff and laws.

It was still a pretty awesome movie to watch when it came out. All of the effects and sets were pretty decent looking for its time and they helped to give this movie a real futuristic feeling, though when you watch it now it all mostly is being ridicules.

It got made back in the days when Christopher Lambert was still quite a big name in the business. This movie got really made as a vehicle for him, as the main action-hero of the movie. He just isn't the most compelling actor that ever lived. Kurtwood Smith is the main villain of the movie and he did a pretty decent job with restraining himself to not go over-the-top with his character, like probably a lot of other actors would had done. The movie also has some other decent actors in it, that fits their roles fine, such as for instance Jeffrey Combs, Lincoln Kilpatrick and Vernon Wells.

The story and its storytelling are at times really quite messy and bad but when you can look all past that, "Fortress" is still some good mindless fun for you.

5/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Excellent futuristic fantasy!

[The_Void · 8/10 · 5 August 2007]

Well, it may not be everyone's cup of tea and it certainly has it's flaws - but for me at least, Fortress is one of the most fun B-movies released in the nineties, and that's no surprise considering it's helmed by the great Stuart Gordon! One of the main reasons why Fortress works so well is because it puts its focus in one place and every imaginative element of the film goes towards furthering the central plot. The title refers to the impregnable privately owned prison of the title. We are introduced to this penitentiary and its various pitfalls right from the start and while it's not hard to see where the film is going to go, it does at least make you wonder how it's going to get there. The central characters are John and Karen Brennick - a couple sent to the Fortress after she becomes pregnant with a second child, thus breaking a futuristic population control law. However, John isn't happy to just rot away in jail, and despite the numerous pitfalls that makes the Fortress escape proof - along with his fellow prisoners, he plots to escape with his wife.

The basis of Fortress is your classic prison escape movie, the only difference being the prison at the centre of the tale. The Fortress itself is certainly made good use of as the inventive methods in place to stop the prisoners escaping are constantly kept at the forefront of the audience's mind. The film really is never boring for a minute; if there isn't something directly going on in the movie then Gordon is using the time to build up the situation that the prisoners find themselves in. The film features a good B-movie cast, with 'Highlander' Christopher Lambert taking the lead role. Lambert is hardly a great actor, but he at least looks the part and his athleticism serves him well. Loryn Locklin isn't given much to do as the leading lady, but the rest of the support cast includes the likes of Lincoln Kilpatrick, Vernon Wells (who, coincidently, was also in the 1986 Australian movie of the same title!) and Jeffrey Combs, who is just great as always. Kurtwood Smith is probably the biggest standout, however, as the maniacal head of the Fortress. This film really features everything you could ever want from a B-movie - constant action, imagination and some hilarious performances. It all boils down to a suitably over the top climax and while this might not be the best film ever made - its one hell of a lot of fun and I certainly recommend it!

Great Action Nostalgia

[akd1401 · 7/10 · 24 January 2024]

Will not win any awards but is a fairly compelling mid-budget (think universal soldier level) action film with a (very) surprising anti-privatisation message that rings more bells now than it would have on release in 1991.

Goodies are good, babbles are bad and the escape plan is fun, I can actually see parts that are borrowed by better films like Guardians of the Galaxy.

The final 15 minutes is a total let down but feels tacked on rather than integral.

Lovers of late 80s early 90s sci-fi action should really enjoy this film. If you don't like the genre...well you won't even be reading this, never mind contemplating the movie.

A totally diverting hour and a bit.

This average quality film has creativity and some good qualities, but it can't overcome all the problems it faces.

[filipemanuelneto · 5/10 · 15 August 2023]

I didn't have very high expectations when I decided to see this movie. I knew that it was a film set in a future that, for us, is now past (the year 2017) and that it was yet another film about a prison break. I also knew that it had been a success in Europe, especially on the VHS market, and that it had been forgotten since the end of the tapes and no one was talking about it anymore. So, I decided to take a look, see if it was worth it, and I liked what I saw. It is a creative film, made by people with ideas and the ability to come up with imaginative solutions, based on a competent cast, and which made good use of its short budget.

The script takes us to a high-security prison, built underground in the United States desert, in order to accompany a couple who have just been arrested for trying to have a second child, something prohibited by the "one-child policy" then in effect. Strength in the USA. Sentenced to the outrageous sentence of 31 years in prison, they are placed inside that place, where everything is controlled by a computer and depends on a vicious and sadistic director, and on the computer system itself, which sometimes seems to have a life of its own. Even the dreams of these inmates are controlled and censored via a mechanism installed in the gut, and that could kill them if they step over the risk (literally).

The script has a serious problem: it is based on an old premise that is prison escapes. We've seen a lot of them already, because almost every great fugue in history has been adapted for the screen in some way. However, the film tries to get around the problem with doses of imagination and creativity that futurism accepts well. The graphic violence of some scenes can also bother some people, but I think I've even seen worse. But be warned: we have everything from exploding intestines to half-human androids with a misshapen appearance. There is an investment in visual effects, special effects, make-up, quality sets and costumes, and this investment has paid off. Unfortunately, the cinematography is not very good, it is even below the standard of the time the film was made, but I coped well with it.

Stuart Gordon gives the film a well-executed, effective direction, managing to take full advantage of what he has to work with. Christopher Lambert, the eternal McLeod, is in excellent shape here and does a solid job, even if the role is simple and effortless. Kurtwood Smith is an efficient villain, cold and worthy of our contempt, but he also provokes some sympathy for his quest for a certain warmth that his character has lost. Loryn Locklin is also a welcome addition, but I felt several times that the character had little to do and was limited to being a damsel in distress. Tom Towles, Clifton Collins Jr., Vernon Wells, Jeffrey Combs and Lincoln Kilpatrick provide effective support, but they can do no more.

Surprisingly not too bad

[dan1x · 7/10 · 4 November 2000]

Here's the scenario: Futuristic company limits couples to only one child, and any past that become property of the company. Any violators of this law are sent to a seemingly inescapable prison. One couple dares to violate this law and is sent to prison, and thus conflict ensues. If you're anything like me, you're probably thinking this movie is going to rank right up there with Super Mario Brothers as far as sci-fi movies go, but I actually enjoyed this one. This movie manages to avoid the cheesy unrealistic costumes and weapons that plague far too many sci-fi movies, and it also produces characters that you start to sympathize with. By coupling an interesting plot with somewhat decent acting, Fortress deserves at least a saturday afternoon rental, that is if nothing more exciting is going on.

Decent low budget sci fi/action from director Stuart Gordon

[dworldeater · 6/10 · 8 August 2019]

After a screening of Re Animator, Arnold Scharzenegger was eager to work with the director of Re Animator, Stuart Gordon and was originally supposed to play the lead in this. Fortress was going to be a big movie with a budget around 70 million, but once Arnold dropped out of the project and Christopher Lambert was cast the budget dropped to around 15 million. Still Fortress made a lot of money at the box office and is an action packed low budget sci fi prison movie that would be best described as a lower budgeted cross between Escape Plan and Total Recall. Christopher Lambert did a good enough job as the lead, but the best performance comes from Kurtwood Smith, best known for Robocop and 3rd Rock From The Sun as prison warden. Horror icons Tom Toyles and Jeffrey Combs appear as well as Vernon Wells(best known as Bennett from Commando). The film overall comes across dated, but is still decent entertainment and good for the genre with a lot of action.

Not too bad but I expected more from Gordon.

[poolandrews · 6/10 · 18 March 2008]

Fortress is set in the near future where America has become a Government controlled country, it is illegal for a couple to have more than one baby & because of this former Black Beret Captain John Henry Brennick (Christopher Lambert) & his wife Karen (Loryn Locklin) are trying to escape over the border to Mexico. They are caught & thrown into the Fortress, a tough state of the art underground prison in the middle of the desert. The prisoners are controlled by the sadistic warden Poe (Kurtwood Smith) & the super computer Zed who have the power of life & death over all the inmates. Feeling somewhat hard done by Brennick plans a daring escape...

This Australian American co-production was directed by Stuart Gordon & while it's not a total waste of time Fortress could have been a much better film. The script by Troy Neighbors, Steven Feinberg, David Venable & Terry Curtis Fox (it took four people to write this?) is nothing more than a pretty brainless prison escape film with a futuristic setting. There are holes in the plot that are difficult not to notice, for instance the mind machine that allows the warden to spy on the inmates dreams & if they are dreaming inappropriate thoughts they get punished. Well lets just look at that basic concept, for a start dreaming is a largely involuntary action & once your asleep you have little control over what you dream. Now whether you remember your dreams or not everyone does have dreams, so in that case every prisoner in the entire prison would be getting punished every night which just doesn't sound very likely & clearly doesn't happen. Then there's the idea that together with his super computer the Warden knows what everything thinks & feels yet he can't find out who started a fight & that a group of prisoners are planning a break out. Then there's the reason why the Warden wanted Karen to live with him or rather the lack of a reason since none is given. Despite a relatively poor & underdeveloped script at least it moves along at a decent pace, there are a few entertaining action set-pieces & it doesn't last for too long either but I had hoped for something a little better & slightly more substantial.

When he made Fortress director Gordon had some good genre efforts behind him like the excellent Re-Animator (1985), From Beyond (1986), Dolls (1987) & The Pit and the Pendulum (1991) so it's maybe a little disappointing to see him turn his hand to such a generic & surprisingly thoughtless sci-fi film. There's no social commentary here, there's no great message or warning for the future & I actually thought some of the practises used in the Fortress are good ideas to control scumbag villains which we should probably implement right now. There are one or two good gore scenes including an exploding stomach (cut on some versions), gory bullet hole wounds, someone with a huge hole in their stomach, half human half robotic cyborgs & exploding prison Wardens.

With a very reasonable sounding budget of about $12,000,000 I don't really see where the money went, the sets look alright, the action is competent but it doesn't do anything to distinguish itself from the hundreds of other futuristic action films out there that had budgets a tenth of Fortress. Set in America but shot in Queensland in Australia. The cast are strangely off colour too, Lambert doesn't make much impression as the hero, the always watchable Jeffrey Combs is wasted while Kurtwood Smith was probably cast because of his superb performance in Robocop (1987) but doesn't really seem that interested or intense as the villain.

Fortress was the most widely distributed film Gordon ever had & it's a shame it's a bit of a let down, it's not a complete disaster as it's an alright watch but it's fairly moronic stuff most of the time & doesn't feature any of the biting satire or commentary most great sci-fi have like Robocop or Starship Troopers (1997) to name but two.

"Intestinate"

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 19 November 2013]

In the future of the USA where apparently the right has triumphed among other things prisons are now in the hands of private corporations and abortion is illegal. But there are strict population controls and for those who have more than one child, that child in its infancy is turned over to the state for their use. What use they make of it too. The people who disobey that law, prison for a long time.

So it is with Christopher Lambert and Laura Lochlyn, husband and wife who violate that edict. Lambert and a pregnant Lochlyn are arrested and sentenced to The Fortress which is an underground prison in the desert of the southwest USA that is operated by a private company with robot and semi-robot guards and a director who is one the successful super race that they've created with second children. The director is played by Kurtwood Smith of That Seventies Show and he's one chilling menace. But even a chilling menace raised as a super human has needs.

So he decides he fancies Lochlyn and brings her into his quarters. Now imagine if you will Laurence Olivier who fancied Jean Simmons and brought her to his villa as Spartacus was dying on the cross. Kirk Douglas couldn't do much about his situation, but Lambert and his cell mates Clifton Collins, Jr., Tom Towles, Lincoln Kilpatrick who is a trustee and Jeffrey Combs do quite a lot about it. For that you have to see Fortress.

I think one of the most popular themes in science fiction and even film in general is when some super beings are done in by us ordinary humans when we get roused enough to do something. It's the secret of the appeal of Fortress and I think science fiction fans and others will enjoy it.

Where are all the actors?

[jlbat · 2/10 · 4 September 2004]

The only player who can act even marginally in this turkey is Kurtwood Smith but, of course, he had practice in the Robocop series. Loryn Locklin had no such experience, She wanders in a daze through the conventional plot, resembling a lost cocker spaniel. Christopher Lambert, on the other hand, never seems dazed, alternatively sullen or glowering. It seems clear that the producers spent all that money on special effects to divert attention from a cast that might be more usefully employed in a fast-food restaurant. If the producers really wanted to improve movies, they would send Locklin and Lambert to acting school. "Crimes does not pay"--neither do bad movies.

uneven sci-fi prison flick

[sswenson · 24 August 2000]

A man tries to escape a brutally efficient, corporate-run prison of the future. Muddled sci-fi sub plot, wooden main character and bland special effects, however, first-rate supporting cast and plot concepts make the film worth seeing. (Rating: B+)

Really great Sci-Fi movie

[monkey-man · 7/10 · 18 December 2005]

Christopher Lambert stars as a man in the near future and his wife is pregnant for the 2nd time but that is illegal because of a population control and they are trying to escape to Mexico but they get caught and sent to a maximum security futuristic prison called the Fortress for 31 years.It is said that it is imposable to escape from this prison but against all the odds Christopher Lamberts character plans to escape from the prison with his wife and some of his friends.

I have seen most of Christopher Lamberts movies and this movie called Fortress has to be one of his best movies he has ever done.There are heaps of great action scenes in this movie and the most memorable scenes are the scenes in the end of the movie when Christopher Lamberts Character and his friends are trying to escape the prison and Christopher is shooting all of the prison guards to escape.

Over all this is a great Sci-Fi/Action movie and i highly recommend that u rent or even buy this movie.And my rating for this movie is seven out of ten.

my god

[ian-crowley · 1/10 · 22 May 2006]

i can summarize this cinematic experience with one word: PAIN. every minute of this movie will make you feel like you crossed the yellow line, and by the end you'll be pleading for it to stop the intestination. despite a brilliant attempt to save the film by the rubber-faced Lincoln Kilpatrick, the acting is worse than atrocious. as far as the plot, words escape me. how exactly is paying to keep people locked up, fed, clothed, and boarded for 31 years less of a burden on society than having a second kid? the overhead that must be involved in running this prison is mind boggling. this is one of many questions you will ask yourself as you ride the roller-coaster of emotions this film provides. others may include: who decided the perfect soldier is a slow, clumsy, awkward animatronic plastic man with no lower jaw? if it is as easy to get to Mexico as driving through a single 15-foot fence that falls over in a stiff breeze, why did they bother to try to go through customs? why did it take until 1993 for humanity to discover that intestination is the most fantastic word ever invented? ultimately, this would have been a far better movie if it had had the benefit of being MST3Ked. As it is, you're better off going with the Mind Wipe.

Another Cult Favorite from Professional B Filmmaker:Stuart Gordon.

[hu675 · 8/10 · 3 September 2008]

In the Grim Future on 2017... When the planet is been overpopulated and crimes has been rising. One of the new laws states that a couple are allowed to have one child now, even if the new born baby dies at birth. When John Brenneck (Christopher Lambert) and his wife Karen (Loryn Locklin) broken the law, when his wife finds himself pregnant after losing their first child at birth. When John's wife escapes from the U.S. Border, John finds himself sent in Prison for over 30 years. But this "Fortress" is controlled by a cold hearted if odd Prison Warden Poe (Kurtwood Smith). This prison is very strict, inmate's are controlled by a small explosive devices that are blasted into the digestive system via the throat and robotic controlled security devices that could look into the inmates dreams. Now John and other prisoners (Clifton Collins Jr., Jeffery Combs, Lincoln Kilpartick & Tom Towles) tires to find other ways to escape the Fortress but John finds out that his pregnant wife is captured and is kept in Poe's working area.

Directed by Stuart Gordon (Edmond, Re-Animator, Stuck) made an entertaining high concept low-budget Science Fiction adventure. This is probably the biggest budget that the independent filmmaker Gordon had to work with at $12 Million. Which it was originally going to be a bigger budgeted movie if Arnold Schwarzenegger was cast in the lead but Schwarzenegger went on to do "True Lies" instead. The actors gives good performances (especially Smith) and the feature has some fascinating ideas.

This is update from March 25, 2013 for the Blu-ray. Blu-ray from Echo Bridge has an pretty good anamorphic Widescreen (1.78:1) transfer and an fine DTS 2.0 HD Sound. There is no special features from this Blu-ray.

"Fortress" was an box office disappointment, when it was first released in the fall of 1993. But the feature was an international success and the sequel was produced (It was watchable but poorly produced sequel). This is One of Gordon's best movies and it's certainly worth seeing. (****/*****).

Ahh, nineties sci-fi

[bowmanblue · 7/10 · 16 May 2017]

There's something very comforting for me about watching Christopher Lambert in the nineties sci-fi/action movie 'Fortress.' It's like revisiting an old friend in a comfortable environment. Yes, it's fair to say that anyone who was basically in their early teenage years of watching films would find this film particularly deep and thought provoking (like I did at the time). Now, over twenty years (and several thousand) films later, my cynical and jaded eyes see it for what it is – a load of nonsense (but kind of good fun nonsense if you're in the mood).

Sometime in the near future pregnancies are controlled and anyone having a child without government approval (or something) is imprisoned in the most hellish of judicial facilities imaginable. The opening scene shows us Christopher Lambert and his pregnant wife attempting to flee the country, but getting caught in the process. Guess where they end up? The titular 'Fortress' is a prison (tower) buried under the ground in the desert where escape is 'impossible' (yeah, in the same way that 'no one' had ever won 'The Running Man' until Arnie had a go).

Once imprisoned, Lambert is subjected to all the usual prison movie tropes, including clichéd cellmates, aggressive bully-type alpha-male prisoners and – of course – the fascist warden in charge, this time played by Kurtwood Smith (or that-baddie-in-Robocop to most of us). Whereas most of the film is pretty run-of-the-mill, Kurtwood does his best to turn in a pretty sinister and menacing performance. Of course there are some pretty big stretches in the plot which are designed to further the story rather than be realistic. These are things like the warden just so happening to fall in love with Lambert's wife (like our hero needed any extra excuses for hating the man in charge of the barbaric facility).

The sets are pretty bland. In fact, the sets are sets – pure and simple. Grey walls with people wandering around in orange jumpsuits. The special effects aren't that special and the dialogue is a bit corny here and there. All in all, it's probably not the greatest of films and it's no wonder that it's been pretty much forgotten compared to the classic action films of the decade. And yet, I stand by my original statement. Watching 'Fortress' takes me back to my childhood, so, yes, a lot of my appreciation of this film stems from my nostalgia of the era. It's a simple film from a simpler time.

I doubt it would hold up today against the current crop of action movies. It wasn't much more than a 'straight-to-video' affair back in its day, but, like I say, if you're looking for a slightly dated, more simple action movie then this one is worth a watch if you feel like wasting an hour and a half. The deeper meaning I may have once seen has long since been painted over by clichés and cheesy nonsense, but I like that sort of thing.

Awful! Horrible! Did they mean to do THIS seriously?

[gwydno · 1/10 · 29 March 2008]

Angry spoilers ahead After what seems an eternity, finally this movie was apparently coming to an end, but the worst was yet to come: Lambert's wife, who is also imprisoned, is about to give birth to her child. As if in a parody of the Argentina of the 80's, the Government wants to steal the children from her for some hideous purpose. The funny thing is that they don't wait until the woman brings her baby in the world naturally. Oh, no: they're going to use a saw to open her womb and take out the baby while killing her. When she realizes what's happening, the woman starts shouting and calling for her husband, who was precisely running along the prison two corridors away, hears hem and says something like "I'm coming, honey!!" This movie is THIS sophisticated, from the beginning and until the very end. If you find it on TV, DVD, or whatever... Please don't waste part of your precious lifetime in this

Pretty cool movie!!

[dvdmrp · 26 March 2001]

When I popped this into the DVD player I was not sure what to expect. I had heard mixed reviews where most of the people said that this movie was really bad. I saw the box, it looked pretty good, and it only cost $9.99. Was it worth it? You Bet! I was presently suprised. The movie turned out to be decent. Sure, it won't win any awards for a new plot or acting, but for what it is, it is good. I don't see why many people label this as pure trash. This is just a popcorn/ guys action movie. It is not for people who want an academy award winning plot. For an action movie, I enjoyed it,and I think that is all that matters. As long as you enjoy it. Christopher Lambert was very good as his action hero, but stiff self. If you are a fan of Lambert, or of scifi/prison movies, then this movie is worth it. If not, who knows, you still might enjoy it. Just don't expect oscar performances. I Don't think you will be dissapointed. 8.5/10 pretty good!!!