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IMDbPro

Brubaker

  • 19801980
  • RR
  • 2h 11m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,841
4,662
Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.
Play trailer1:35
3 Videos
75 Photos
  • Crime
  • Drama
The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
18K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,841
4,662
  • Director
    • Stuart Rosenberg
  • Writers
    • W.D. Richter(screenplay)
    • Arthur A. Ross(story)
    • Thomas O. Murton(suggested by)
  • Stars
    • Robert Redford
    • Yaphet Kotto
    • Morgan Freeman
Top credits
  • Director
    • Stuart Rosenberg
  • Writers
    • W.D. Richter(screenplay)
    • Arthur A. Ross(story)
    • Thomas O. Murton(suggested by)
  • Stars
    • Robert Redford
    • Yaphet Kotto
    • Morgan Freeman
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos3

    Trailer
    Trailer 1:35
    Trailer
    Robert Redford: The Con With Conviction & the End of a Legendary Screen Persona
    Clip 5:10
    Robert Redford: The Con With Conviction & the End of a Legendary Screen Persona
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 26
    Video 29:04
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 26

    Photos75

    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Joe Spinell in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Morgan Freeman in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford and Jane Alexander in Brubaker (1980)
    Robert Redford in Brubaker (1980)
    Brubaker (1980)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robert Redford
    Robert Redford
    • Henry Brubakeras Henry Brubaker
    Yaphet Kotto
    Yaphet Kotto
    • Richard 'Dickie' Coombesas Richard 'Dickie' Coombes
    Morgan Freeman
    Morgan Freeman
    • Walteras Walter
    Jane Alexander
    Jane Alexander
    • Lillian Grayas Lillian Gray
    Murray Hamilton
    Murray Hamilton
    • John Deachas John Deach
    David Keith
    David Keith
    • Larry Lee Bullenas Larry Lee Bullen
    Matt Clark
    Matt Clark
    • Roy Purcellas Roy Purcell
    Tim McIntire
    Tim McIntire
    • Huey Rauchas Huey Rauch
    Richard Ward
    Richard Ward
    • Abraham Cookas Abraham Cook
    Jon Van Ness
    Jon Van Ness
    • Zaranskaas Zaranska
    M. Emmet Walsh
    M. Emmet Walsh
    • C.P. 'Woody' Woodwardas C.P. 'Woody' Woodward
    Albert Salmi
    Albert Salmi
    • Rory Pokeas Rory Poke
    Linda Haynes
    Linda Haynes
    • Carolas Carol
    Everett McGill
    Everett McGill
    • Eddie Caldwellas Eddie Caldwell
    Val Avery
    Val Avery
    • Wendelas Wendel
    Ron Frazier
    Ron Frazier
    • Burl Willetsas Burl Willets
    • (as Ronald C. Frazier)
    David Harris
    David Harris
    • Duane Spiveyas Duane Spivey
    • (as David D. Harris)
    Joe Spinell
    Joe Spinell
    • Floyd Birdwellas Floyd Birdwell
    • Director
      • Stuart Rosenberg
    • Writers
      • W.D. Richter(screenplay) (story)
      • Arthur A. Ross(story)
      • Thomas O. Murton(suggested by) (book "Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Based on the real-life efforts of former prison administrator Thomas O. Murton to reform Tucker and Cummins Prison Farms in Arkansas in 1967-68. The film was based on the 1969 book, "Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal" by Murton and Joe Hyams. Murton also served as a technical adviser for the film.
    • Goofs
      At the end, when the car is leaving the prison, the grass around is violently shaking revealing the helicopter carrying the camera.
    • Quotes

      Richard 'Dickie' Coombes: What you gon' do about Abraham?

      Henry Brubaker: I've got Purcell filling out forms in triplicate, and I'm going to get him released just as soon as I-

      Richard 'Dickie' Coombes: Now why do you wanna go and do that?

      Henry Brubaker: Do what?

      Richard 'Dickie' Coombes: Look, why don't you just leave him be. I mean, all he knows is this place.

      Henry Brubaker: You - You knew that he had been in here as long as he'd been in here.

      Richard 'Dickie' Coombes: Just leave him alone. He's not- He's not botherin' nobody here.

      Henry Brubaker: Hey... You can't hide in prison forever, Coombes.

    • Crazy credits
      "We wish to pay tribute to Richard Ward, who played 'Abraham,' for a lifetime of very special work."
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Robert Redford (1992)
    • Soundtracks
      All for the Love of Sunshine
      (uncredited)

      Written by Mike Curb, Harley Hatcher and Lalo Schifrin

      Performed by Hank Williams Jr.

      Heard when the steer is dropped off at the diner

    User reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    The best prison picture ever
    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.
    helpful•76
    7
    • bkoganbing
    • Jun 16, 2005

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 20, 1980 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Shadow Walk
    • Filming locations
      • Junction City Prison Farm, Junction City, Ohio, USA
    • Production company
      • Twentieth Century Fox
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $7,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $37,121,708
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $2,748,079
      • Jun 22, 1980
    • Gross worldwide
      • $37,121,708
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      2 hours 11 minutes
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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