Brubaker (1980)

Touches You

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

In the opening scene of Brubaker, a group of convicts are on a bus on the way to prison. Among the prisoners is Robert Redford, with a perfectly windswept 'do and a very innocent looking face. In jail, Robert Redford—and the audience—is exposed to some very upsetting goings-on, including senseless beatings for no reason other than to warn the other prisoners, knife fights, rape, inedible food, and corrupt officials. But it isn't until Morgan Freeman, a man in solitary confinement, throws a fit that Robert Redford steps forward. Turns out, he's been undercover the whole time. He's the new warden.While it's got a fantastic premise, most of the film just doesn't work. Everyone knows Robert Redford is passionate about his causes, but in this movie, he's just too handsome and glamorous to pull off the role. Wouldn't he have a love interest, or any other kind of connection in his life that might take his attention away from the prison? The first several years I saw Robert Redford in films, I really didn't like him because I found him cold, with a chip on his shoulder. Then, of course, he won me over in The Great Gatsby, but in Brubaker he's a little cold and has a pretty large chip on his shoulder. If you like him best in All the President's Men and similar films, you'll probably feel differently than I did about Brubaker.To be fair, there's one really great scene in the movie, the Morgan Freeman scene. The two usually understated actors throw caution to the wind and lose their tempers, and it's terrific to watch. So, my advice is to enjoy the opening sequence and after Robert Redford says the fantastic line, "Any f***ing color he wants," then turn it off. Trust me, it doesn't get any better than that.Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to extreme violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

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.

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.

This movie tells the true story of a man called Henry Brubaker.This man arrives at a prison as an inmate and witnesses all the bad stuff that's going on there.Later he reveals he's the new warden of that prison and he's gonna make some changes.Brubaker from 1980 is directed by Stuart Rosenberg.Bob Rafelson started as the director before being replaced.Robert Redford does excellent job as Brubaker.Yaphet Kotto is superb as Richard "Dickie" Coombes.Jane Alexander is very good as Lillian Gray.Murray Hamilton is great as John Deach.Morgan Freeman is good as always as Walter.Matt Clark is terrific as Roy Purcell.M. Emmet Walsh does convincing job as C.P. Woodward.Albert Salmi is great as Rory Poke.Noble Willingham plays Dr. Fenster.Nicolas Cage makes his debut as an extra.The movie succeeds in showing the cruelty of the prison world.One can ask is this something they deserve.Once you commit a crime, you need to be punished.But how much punishment is too much?