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.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 1 win & 4 nominations total
- Burl Willets
- (as Ronald C. Frazier)
- Duane Spivey
- (as David D. Harris)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBased 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.
- GoofsAt 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."
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Robert Redford (1992)
- SoundtracksAll 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
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
- hitchcockthelegend
- Mar 3, 2008
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Details
Box office
- 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