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Excellent Movie!

This was another vintage Robert Redford movie.In this movie he
plays the role of Brubaker, who is sent into Wakefield prison.
Here he finds all kinds of corruption.It is especially shocking
when he unearths a huge graveyard of dead prisoners.You have some
excellent acting jobs from Yaphet Kotto and David Keith in this
movie.You will find some of the things that Brubaker finds to be
shocking.This is Redford at his best. You will enjoy this movie.
Buy it and watch it.

A movie applicable to some corporate environments

I have seen this movie several times, one of them while attending a seminar on implementing strategy at Wharton school. It applies to a corporate environment in the sense that the person at the top has to fight the politics and bureaucracy of its own board to accomplish his goals. The film is full of situatuations that illustrate the fight of the individual against his own people that is not committed to his efforts. In summary, it is the usual sacrifice of leadership in the process of reforming an institution. An excellent film to share with direct reports in a corporation. 5 stars.

Bleeding-heart melodrama

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 1960's 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 ****

In prison, even the stink 'stinks'

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.

Powerful

Brilliant story and just as good an acting performance by all concerned. Especially Redford.The prison set is so cold it real puts a chill inside you. Its just a shame the film has to end.Its nice theres a write-up at the end of the movie though, thats always a good way to finish a film.

Excellent film rendition of the Thomas Merton story

This was a well put together film for the period in which it was done in the late 70's. Redford who has always been a social reformer placed an emphasis on communicating the dedication of the Brubaker character in this role.If you happen to live in the Deep South where prison farms have used convicts as virtual slave labor for years, you can appreciate the storyas well as the attitudes of the government and local officials who are portrayed. If you are not from that kind of background, then it is a revelation for you. This film is a portrayal of the attempt at prison reform in Arkansas undertaken by Thomas Murton. In the process Murton discovered untold corruption and evidence of multiple murders by previous prison administrations. When he attempted to bring this to light he was threatened with charges of grave robbery. I would heartily recommend this film. It is one of a kind.

A real story, like Walking Tall

Of course, I'm biased. "Brubaker" is a fictionalized account of the real story of Tom Murton, warden of Tucker & Cummins prison, in Arkansas, in 1967-68. Tom Murton was my dad & I lived on both those prisons as a 5th grader, before we were unceremoniously kicked out of Bill Clintons state. Most of the movie's events really happened, including the electric torture--called the Tucker Telephone--the whip, the horrid food, the inmate trustees carrying guns, painting death row, & digging up some of the 200 unmarked graves, most of which remain unmarked on Tucker farm. Fictional events include the female prison board member, the black old inmate dying--his name was Reuben Gaines & he got out of prison. My dad assuredly did NOT infiltrate the prison as an inmate, but the scene w/ the old warden barricading himself in his office w/ a Thompson submachine gun was true. Like Redford's character, my dad was not PC & probably unecessarily antagonized both the corrections board, & the governor. But who could really agree to cover up 200 murdered inmates? Governor Winthrop Rockefeller fired my dad, even as the Arkansas legislature was moving to indict him for grave-robbing. We had 24 hrs to exit Arkansas. My dad went on to be a tenured professor of Criminology at the Univ. of MN, Minneapolis & passed away in 1990. The book about all this is "Accomplices to the Crime" by Tom Murton & Joe Hyams, Grove Press. Long since out of print, but available over the internet from rare booksellers for a reasonable price. My verdict on the movie: considering that it's primary purpose was to make money, it's a lot more factual than it could have been.

An earnest work

I have always had a soft spot for the 1980 film "Brubaker." This earnest work, detailing horrible conditions in a Southern prison, stars Robert Redford in fine superstar form as liberal warden Henry Brubaker attempting to reform the conditions of a penal system suffering from decades of neglect. "Brubaker," in many ways, is the end of a glorious 1970's era of Redford's career. He would soon become a director ("Ordinary People" in 1980), and would work only sporadically as an actor for the next 10 years, evolving into the older roles we see today.


Redford's character mysteriously arrives on the scene as a quiet inmate, witnessing a variety of shocking injustices including torture, rape, maggot-infested food and murder. After 30 minutes of grime (which evidently takes place over several days), he steps forward, revealing himself to be the new prison warden.

Based on an actual case which took place in Arkansas during the 1960s, "Brubaker," to its discredit, takes quiet a few liberties for dramatic effect. I have always wondered how Redford's character escaped unscathed during his brief inmate tenure. And when he finally makes his proclamation, he takes a huge risk by walking into the warden's office adorned in nothing more than soiled prisoner scrubs. This is not the way it happened, and while this device allows the viewer to witness primitive prison conditions first-hand, it creates an uneven film.

Brubaker has his work cut out for him. He essentially rolls up his sleeves, hires a new doctor, plants crops and has fresh food available for the inmates. This is all well and good until he must make an appearance at a prison board meeting (at the local Hilton) and answer the inevitable questions as to why improvements are even necessary. With selfish abandon, he alienates the board and decides to go to war against their corruption.


"Brubaker" boasts one of the finest supporting casts you are likely ever going to see. Yaphet Kotto, David Keith, Murray Hamilton, Jane Alexander, Tim McIntire, Matt Clark, Everett McGill, M. Emmet Walsh, Albert Salmi, Val Avery, Richard Ward (in his final role) and with an early performance by a singing Morgan Freeman to boot! Such expert casting raises the level of "Brubaker" several notches, and Kotto, as cynical inmate trustee Richard 'Dickie' Coombes, just about steals the film. Interestingly, he sees the futility of Brubaker's quest. He announces to him at one point, "You're going to get people killed!"


Stuart Rosenberg directed this film, and a token glance at his resume reveals the fine prison drama "Cool Hand Luke" in 1967. Reportedly Bob Rafelson ('Five Easy Pieces") was originally on board, and one wonders what his vision might have been. Abrupt changes in directors never help a production, and "Brubaker" suffers from an overall lack of character development. Rarely is there a scene of personal contemplation. We know very little about Brubaker's life, with the exception that he eats TV dinners and falls asleep on the couch. Redford's star persona is supposed to fill in the gaps, but it weakens the film's quality.

By the conclusion, Brubaker has discovered some unmarked prisoner graves, though his source is murdered in a very sad scene. Politicians wish this secret to be kept quiet, giving Brubaker negotiating power to receive the funds necessary to fulfill his reformation. His refusal to compromise seems short-sighted and egotistical. Men get killed, he gets rightfully fired, and by film's end the prison is returning to traditional ways.


There is really no way to have a happy ending for this story, though less formula would have better served its message. I couldn't help but recall the brilliant 1995 film "Dead Man Walking." It too was a cry for prisoner rights, but told from the viewpoint of multi-dimensional characters with disturbing flaws and anguish. "Brubaker" has the same message, 15 years before, though with contrivances injected to enhance traditional Hollywood flow.

The best of Robert Redford

This is a must see movie for all Robert Redford Fans. I promise you won't be you bought this movie. I recommend it as one of his best. This is an Adult movie of life in a prison and i wouldn't be letting anyone under age 15 watch it.

Brubaker is Awesome

I've been to the old abandoned prison where they shot the movie, went inside, and explored the place. I did this a few times just to make sure I covered the whole place. It took me a while to find a place that rented out Brubaker, but I finally found one. When I put in the tape, I expected to see some sucky movie that would bore me for the next 2 hours and 11 minutes, but I was pleasantly mistaken. Brubaker is an awesome movie. It's a battle between a man who wants to do the right thing, and a corrupt system that wants everything to stay as it was since they can remember. The screenplay, acting, story line, and emotional ties to the movie are great. I've since watched the movie about 7 times, enjoying it each time. I'm looking forward to the day that Brubaker comes out on DVD!

A film based on historical facts.

Brubaker, the movie, never mentions the fact that it is based on the book, "Accomplices To The Crime", by Tom Murton and Joe Hyams. It also doesn't mention that the movie is based on actual events that took place in Arkansas in the 60's at the Tucker State Prison Farm. Author Tom Murton, now deceased, was, in fact, "Brubaker."Professor Tom Murton, Criminologist Tom Murton, was hired by the then Governor Winthrop Rockefeller, brother to Vice-President Nelson Rockefeller, to come to Arkansas to "clean up" the prison system. Nelson Rockefeller lost the nomination as the Republican Presidential candidate largely due to his role in the September, 1971 Attica, NY prison riot that cost both NYS Dept of Corrections employees' lives and lives of inmates. Law suits for that event were recently settled in the millions of dollars payable to inmate victim survivors and the families of inmate victims. Tom Murton was fired from his job in Arkansas, and Gov. Winthrop Rockefeller was not re-elected. Both Rockefellers largely ended their political careers by mis-handling their prisons. Some sort of legal agreement was reached between the movie maker and the State of Arkansas to not mention this historical connection.

Kind hearted liberal thinks he can reform criminals

Well, Murray Hamilton once again proves he is the champ at playing the obnoxious, arrogant ass who has to prove he is the lord and master over his domain. Really enjoyed this one; it had the look and feel of an actual prison; not a place for any human being to be forced to reside in. I doubt than any real warden would come into a prison exactly this way but it did make the picture more exciting. Brubaker had some good ideas and, left along, could have most likely turned this hellhole around. Unfortunately, greed, arrogance, personal agendas, and indifference are the rule of the day in jails as well as the corporate prisons most of us are serving time in every day. 4 stars.

Corruption and Murder told with cathartic style.

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 dam 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 it's 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 and so should it shock 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 thru the film.The acting is 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, and Jane Alexander do very good work, whilst the direction from Stuart Rosenberg 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 is a criminally undervalued piece of work, 8/10.

One Of Robert Redford's Last Great Acting Performances

This 1980 20th Century Fox release was Robert Redford's last offical film as an actor before he made his directing debut later that year with "Ordinary People." It's a fine way to bring the first end to a distinguished acting career (Redford acted in only three other films throughout the rest of the 1980's). He portrays Henry Brubaker, a man who has been elected as the new warden of a state prison farm. He decides to pose as an inmate in order to get a close up view of just how the real inmates are treated by the guards. Appalled by the sadistic treatment that he sees, he works to challenge the prison system to provide honest and decent leniency for the prisoners. Just like he did in "All The President's Men", Redford once again successfully changes from his original comedic sex symbol persona and can be regarded as a serious actor.

A+!! One of Robert Redford's best films.

This ranks right up there with ... as one of the great "hero with integrity goes up against the corrupt system" movies of all time.

I used to teach American Government and would show this and Redford's ... Two of the best political films of all time.

This movie brings up many important and insightful issues involving prison reform/management.

Brubaker - A super movie

I've seen this movie at least 5 times and every time I seem to enjoy it more and more. Robert Redford is superb as warden Brubaker, a new warden sent in undercover to see all the corruption that has been going on at Wakefield Prison. Yaphet Kotto does a great acting job in this as well, and a very young David Keith (An Officer and a Gentleman fame)has a bit part. I certainly recommend this movie. I can't wait until it arrives on the DVD format

Based on a true story....

This movie is based on a true story - sports an all star cast. The knowledge of this held my interest. Many of these actors were just getting started. If you've seen this movie before - but it's been a while - watch it again. One of Robert Redford's most convincing preformances. It may be a bit idealistic - but that's tempered with realistic situations. Excellent movie - for anyone who likes a good script.

Prison reform is not sweet cake

Another film, but in 1980 it was one of the first, on prison reform. The interest is in the fact that the new boss of the prison gets inside the prison as an inmate, unknown of everyone in the prison. So we get a first part that depicts, from inside, all the unethical dealings and purely criminal acts from the prison guards as well as from the inmates. Simple prisoners are the victims of all kinds of violence from the trustees, from the bullies and they have to buy their way through this permanent ordeal even from the doctor who sells his medical assistance, not to speak of the slave labor the prison provides to local contractors or businesses, entrepreneurs in a word that may turn into undertakers, and even the finagling and embezzling and trafficking of the prison guards with the food and anything that can be taken, legally or illegally, from the prisoners and sold at a price. The second part is the first dealings of the new boss with the problem and we discover even more scandalous crimes from inside the administration including the systematic torturing and killing of resisting inmates. The third part deals with the reaction of the prison board, the senator, the governor, and other officials when they learn what is happening, i.e. the attempt to open up the various chapters of this book of torture and killing. And then we discover some more embezzling and the will to cover it all up. They will eventually fire that resisting warden. We also discover in this third part that prison reformers are ready to accept any compromise, i.e. to cover up the crimes of all officials provided they get some investment for the prison, provided the truncheons get gilded points. The last scene is the emotional departure of the fired warden and a last written statement on what happened afterwards showing or proving the story was a true story. Of course the point of view of the inmates themselves is not explored, but the film is very effective about prison reform and what the minimum has to be: to give back to the inmates all their human rights lest they may go to court to fight for them, which is slightly romantic for us to believe that.Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris Dauphine, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne & University Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines

It's definetely a parallel to the Life of Christ.

I'm a born-again Christian and when I saw this movie it really made me think of the life of Christ when he was on planet earth over 2000 years ago. Brubaker assumes the role as a prison inmate before he becomes the warden. Jesus came from heaven to earth and was also in a very lowly position in life before he starts his ministry. Brubaker was a humble yet very bold individual who was not afraid to p*** anyone off. He wouldn't play anyone's game either. Jesus was the same. Brubaker was a rabble-rouser who ruffled many feathers. Jesus, even though He lived to do the perfect will of the Father, He was a bit of was a bit of a rabble-rouser too. Just read Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Prison Board members kind of resembled the Pharisees and the Sadduces in a way. Redford's Character with Prison Board and other certain people the same way Jesus did with the Pharisees and the Sadduces.

Quintessential Robert Redford....WARNING: SOME SPOILERS

Just before Robert Redford devoted his energies to redeeming the importance of good storytelling by spending the 80's initiating and laying the foundation of the Sundance Institute and film festival, he appeared in an above-average prison yarn with a great supporting cast and a film as far away from a horror film for Stuart Rosenberg, whose then previous film, THE AMITYVILLE HORROR (1978) proved a huge hit.Redford plays Henry Brubaker, a warden assigned to reform Wakefield prison and has to go undercover initially to see for himself.What he sees is bribery, sodomy, torture of convicts and bad conditions.When he reveals himself after an incident involving a vicious convict (played by Morgan Freeman in an early film role), the old warden is sent away, leaving Brubaker to sort out the mess. The extent of the corruption in the prison and even more shocking revelations occur.Tightly written, with some good sequences and drama, BRUBAKER ranks alongside the likes of ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ and THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION as a landmark of the prison movie genre.