AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

Actuakers One of my all time favorites.

LouHomey From my favorite movies..

Odelecol Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

rjstephen This is a good and entertaining movie and Robert Redford is good in the lead. The supporting cast are also good and its well written and well acted. The idea that a prison governor can sneak in as an inmate first is clever. as well. The movie can be a little slow on places but that's ok, its not an action movie and is more character driven rather than plot driven. Some of the conditions and the way the inmates are treated in the movie is pretty shocking. However personally i don't have a problem with the use of a leather strap to punish male inmates. Corporal punishment on adult male prisoners does not strike me as unfair or too harsh, it is a good way to punish and discipline male offenders and should be brought back! In the movie we see two inmates getting punished with a leather strap, its difficult to comment on whether the first guy deserved it or not since we do not get to find out what he did wrong, but the second guy definitely deserved it for throwing food around and starting fights. This is also the only movie ever where we find out that a man is serving life for breaking a toilet, i did laugh when i heard that.

Leofwine_draca BRUBAKER is another exemplary, hard-hitting slice-of-life prison drama from the director who brought us COOL HAND Luke. Robert Redford has never been better as a prison warden who goes undercover in his new posting in order to learn the ins and outs of the place - the ultimate UNDERCOVER BOSS! He soon learns that corruption is endemic in the system and vows to clean it out, with the usual repercussions. This lengthy drama is full to the brim of great sub-plots, moving scenes, fine character work from the supporting cast (David Keith and a debuting Morgan Freeman stand out alongside Yaphet Kotto, Joe Spinell, and Everett McGill as the guards) and a general quality feel. Overall, though, it's Redford himself who sells the picture, embodying his character with a real drive and spirit which is truly inspiring.

Scott LeBrun Based on the real life story of Tom Murton, "Brubaker" tells of a new prison warden, Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford), who enters Wakefield Penitentiary in the South under the guise of being a fellow prisoner. He does this to get a first hand account of conditions for the convicts, because what he's really about is reform. He will earn himself both allies and enemies in his bull-headed quest for changes, eventually getting wind of the fact that bodies have been buried on prison property for many years.It's interesting to note from the leading IMDb review that the film is largely faithful to the true story, with some standard embellishments and inventions for a movie audience. It's pretty straightforward, with a variety of characters that establish rooting interest. Screenwriter W.D. Richter (who was Oscar nominated) keeps some things ambiguous, and keeps one interested in the elements that remain unexplained in the film (like why the men were killed in the first place). The ultimate goal is to expose the skeletons in the closet of this corrupt system, and while Brubaker may come off as a stubborn sort, there's no denying that he's a man with the courage of his convictions.Redford is ideally cast as the protagonist, and he's supported by a simply phenomenal bunch of actors: Yaphet Kotto (who has some great moments), Jane Alexander, Murray Hamilton, a charismatic young David Keith, Morgan Freeman (in what is really a minor sort of role), Matt Clark, Tim McIntire, and Richard Ward. This, unfortunately, was the last feature film appearance for the raspy voiced Ward; the film is dedicated to him. And get a load of the scores of familiar faces in smaller roles. This viewer will refrain from reeling off a list of names and let you discover them for yourselves.Nice music by Lalo Schifrin and vivid location shooting help to make this solid entertainment, that does manage to end in a reasonably realistic way (again, though, this is indicative of a respectable basic adherence to the truth). This viewer could have done without that "slow clap" nonsense, but at least it wouldn't have been as much of a cliché back in 1980 than it would be now.Eight out of 10.

Predrag "Brubaker" is a superb drama film staring Robert Redford. The story and plot work magnificently as a man struggles to try and create a harmonious and well run prison when everyone else around him are trying to get their piece of the pie. Henry Brubaker is portrayed as a man of honesty, integrity, and professionalism and in defying the prison board's message to leave well enough alone, he launches his own campaign to reform the prison and correct the wrongs he has inherited as the new warden. Unfortunately, with the power of the prison board and the governor of the state against him, he is eventually removed as the warden and fired. "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! Robert Redford gives an outstanding performance in this gritty but brutal prison drama fraught with edge of the seat moments... 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. 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? Overall rating: 9 out of 10.