15 best films about prison and prisoners

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Hard dramas, thrillers and real stories about people who have been deprived of their freedom.

1. The Shawshank Redemption

• USA, 1994.
• Drama.
• Duration: 142 minutes.
• IMDb: 9, 3.

Accountant Andy Dufrein is accused of murdering his own wife and her lover. After receiving two life sentences, he ends up in a prison called Shawshank. A cruel order reigns here, but Andy finds friends and even starts working for the management of the correctional institution. However, dreams of freedom do not leave him.

Frank Darabont's film is based on one of the most unusual books by Stephen King, which lacks the mysticism and horror characteristic of the author. The film brought together amazing actors, and for Morgan Freeman this work was one of the best, despite the fact that in the original his character was a red-haired Irishman.

The Shawshank Redemption received seven Oscar nominations, although it did not take any awards, losing in the main categories to Forrest Gump. But on the other hand, this picture firmly holds first place in the list of "250 best films according to IMDb".

2. Green mile

• USA, 1999.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 189 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 6.

Paul Edgecombe works at Cold Mountain Prison. He is in charge of the block where prisoners awaiting the death penalty are kept. Once they get John Coffey - a very kind giant, who is accused of killing children. But soon the prison staff realize that he won't hurt a fly, and besides, the prisoner has incredible abilities.

Surprisingly, another great film about a prison based on the novel by Stephen King was directed by the same Frank Darabont. A stunning dramatic story and a cast led by Tom Hanks brought the film four Oscar nominations (albeit again unsuccessful) and many different awards.

3. Hole

• France, Italy, 1960.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 131 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 5.

The action takes place in a Parisian prison. The young prisoner Gaspard is transferred to a cell with four friends due to repairs. It is soon revealed that they are preparing an escape through a hole in the floor and are ready to take the newcomer with them. Gaspard joins the team and, under the guidance of experienced Roland Darban, they fight their way to freedom.

The story behind this film is incredible. The author of the original book, Jose Giovanni, came up with the plot while in prison. And he copied the image of Roland Darban from Roland Barba, who was serving his sentence there and was known for many escapes. After the release of Giovanni and the release of the book, director Jacques Becker invited the author to write the script for the film. For the role of Darban, they invited all the same Barbou, who, however, took the pseudonym Jean Carody.

4. The Great Escape

• USA, 1963.
• Drama, crime, adventure.
• Duration: 172 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 2.

A group of American, British and Canadian prisoners of war during the Second World War repeatedly tried to free themselves from captivity. Once in the strictest camp, they come up with a large-scale plan for another escape, distracting the guards with more obvious attempts.

The Great Escape is based on a true story. The film did not become popular immediately: in the first years after its release, it was called superficial and protracted. However, over the years, viewers appreciated both the level of filming and the very depth of the plot about real courage and resilience. Now this picture is often included in the lists of the best creations of cinema in history.

5. In the name of the father

• Ireland, UK, 1993.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 133 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 1.

The police rush in to Jerry Conlon at night and arrest him, accusing him of organizing terrorist attacks. Having obtained a confession by torture, the guards put in prison not only the hero, but also several of his relatives and friends. They will have to spend many years in prison, subject to humiliation and violence. But then the campaign to free innocent prisoners will return with renewed vigor.

The plot of this picture is also based on the creepy real events of 1974, when several explosions thundered in the pubs of the city of Guildford, where the military gathered. Then the police arrested several Irish people not involved in the case, forcing them to incriminate themselves. The film has received many prestigious awards and nominations. And first of all, the audience noted the talent of Daniel Day-Lewis, who played Jerry. Not without reason later this actor became the only three-time Oscar winner for Best Actor.

6. Moth

• France, USA, 1973.
• Drama, crime, biography.
• Duration: 151 minutes.
• IMDb: 8, 0.

The safe cracker Henri Charrière, nicknamed the Moth, is unjustly accused of murder. The hero ends up in hard labor for especially dangerous criminals with a life sentence. But the Moth leaves no hope of escaping and regaining freedom.

This film, based on the autobiographical story of Henri Charrière, introduced the audience to one of the best on-screen duos - Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. And in 2017, a new film adaptation was released, where the same roles went to Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek. The modern version was accepted cooler.

7. Prophet

• France, Italy, 2009.
• Drama, crime.
• Duration: 149 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 9.

Malik El Jeben, a 19-year-old Arab youth, is sentenced to six years in prison. He can neither read nor write, and at large no one is waiting for him. In prison, Malik seems to be the weakest of the prisoners. But, having fallen into assistants to the leader of the Corsican gang, he shows unprecedented resilience and soon he himself hatches bold plans.

The creators of this European painting were very concerned about the realistic display of the everyday life of the prison. That is why they hired real ex-prisoners, and not only as consultants, but also as extras.

8. Oh, where are you, brother?

• USA, UK, France, 2000.
• Comedy, crime.
• Duration: 103 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

Ulysses Everett McGill is serving time in hard labor. He plans to escape, but he has to take two more prisoners with him, because they are chained. Then McGill tells his comrades that before the arrest he managed to hide a million dollars and is now ready to share with them. However, in reality, he has completely different goals at will.

Despite the fact that all the events of the film are fictional, and the plot is partly based on Homer's Odyssey, the characters in the picture meet several real people. For example, guitarist Tommy Johnson, very similar to the famous bluesman Robert Johnson, or the robber Kid Nelson. In addition, this work began a long-term friendship and collaboration between George Clooney and the Coen brothers.

9. Experiment

• Germany, 2001.
• Drama, thriller.
• Duration: 120 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 7.

A set is announced for participation in a psychological experiment for a monetary reward. Twenty volunteers in the makeshift prison are divided into "prisoners" and "guards". The first must follow the order, the second must follow the rules. However, very soon all the participants get used to their roles too much and the experiment gets out of control.

The plot of the picture is based on a similar Stanford prison experiment, which was carried out in 1971. True, the filmmakers added a lot of cruelty to real events to impress viewers more. Even though the real experience was exposed in 2018, the picture looks eerily realistic.

10. Escape from Alcatraz

• USA, 1979.
• Drama, crime, biography.
• Duration: 112 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

The Alcatraz maximum security prison, located on the island of the same name, has long been considered an impregnable fortress from which it is impossible to escape. But once a repeat offender Frank Morris was transferred there. Faced with the aggressive prisoner Wolfe, the criminal decides to escape and develops a plan with new comrades.

For Clint Eastwood, this role became a kind of test, because they used to see him in the image of a positive hero. And Frank Morris, with his passion for freedom, still remains a criminal. But thanks to the actor's charisma and talent, this role is still considered by many to be the best in his career.

11. Midnight Express

• Great Britain, USA, 1978.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 121 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

American Billy Hayes is arrested in Turkey for drug trafficking. He cooperates with the authorities and is abused during his four years in prison. But then Billy learns that his sentence has been increased to 30 years. Then he decides to escape, although not only the guards, but also other prisoners interfere with him.

Two legendary authors are behind the creation of this picture: director Alan Parker and Oliver Stone, who wrote the script. They took as a basis a real story that happened with Billy Hayes in 1970. True, the hero himself has repeatedly stated that the filmmakers greatly exaggerated the colors and exaggerated many events.

12. Hunger

• Ireland, UK, 2008.
• Drama, biography.
• Duration: 96 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Prisoners belonging to the Irish Republican Army are trying to get them political status. The guards, in response, only mock the prisoners more. As a result, one of the inmates Bobby Sands goes on a hunger strike.

To prepare for this role, the famous Michael Fassbender went on a strict diet and lost a lot of weight. But the most difficult scene was the dialogue between his character and the hero of Liam Cunningham. It was filmed with one static camera without editing and lasts more than 17 minutes. To prepare for such a difficult moment, the actors even temporarily settled together and rehearsed at least 10 times a day.

13. Camera 211

• Spain, France, 2009.
• Action, crime, thriller.
• Duration: 108 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 6.

Policeman Huang came to work as a jail warden. But the very first acquaintance with the new place of work turned into a tragedy: the prison is being renovated, and Juan is wounded by the collapsed ceiling. Colleagues take him to cell 211, but at that moment a riot of prisoners begins. To survive, the hero has to pretend to be arrested.

This tough film from Spain became the main favorite of the Goya national film awards in 2010, picking up awards in almost all major categories.

14. Bad boys

• USA, 1983.
• Thriller, drama, crime.
• Duration: 123 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 2.

Mick O'Brien, a sixteen-year-old descendant of Irish immigrants, has been involved in petty crime since childhood. Trying to do something bigger, he ends up in a juvenile prison. Mick wins the respect of other prisoners, but soon he has to again face his main enemy - the Puerto Rican Paco Moreno.

This film launched the careers of several actors at once. Sean Penn, previously known only for his role in Rapid Change at Ridgemont High, gained massive popularity, and debutants Clancy Brown and Alan Ruck immediately attracted the attention of other directors.

15. Bronson

• UK, 2008.
• Drama, crime, biography.
• Duration: 92 minutes.
• IMDb: 7, 1.

Biographical picture of the life of British prisoner Charles Bronson. He was born into a prosperous family, but his explosive nature and inability to control himself led to the fact that the man spent about 40 years of his life in prison.

This film was directed by Nicholas Winding Refn, so the picture about a very controversial person turned into an incredibly beautiful visual spectacle. And Tom Hardy played one of his most striking roles in Bronson.