Rating: 
Summary: A+!! One of Robert Redford's best films.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A real story, like Walking Tall
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Dark but incomplete tome on corrections reform
Review: Robert Redford is Brubaker, an honest expert in corrections sent to clean up a trouble-plagued penitentiary. Sent to Wakefield Brubaker enters undercover, living his first few days as a prisoner. We learn that for its brutality, Wakefield was conceived along the lines of a noble experiment - one that gave the prisoners unusual autonomy, and was intended to actually correct those imprisoned there. Instead, the experiment has carved a super-class of prisoners who rule over the rest of the prisoners as Trustees. Unafraid to use force, they skim off books while stealing supplies already paid for. Brubaker, once revealed as the new warden, slowly but surely turns the system upside down - he can't move too quickly because those prisoners or administrators who are most guilty are also the only ones who can tell him what's wrong. Eventually discarding the old guard, Brubaker soon learns that Wakefield has an even darker secret, one whose discovery threatens the Wakefield's future.This was a good movie, although it's hard to understand the first time around. The sophisticated system of prisoner autonomy is somewhat hard to believe unless you've already seen the movie before. The setting is interesting - a dessicated prison, complete with an antique electric chair (which emerges from the shadows like the monster from "Alien" - quite yet terrifying). That said, the movie has no surprises (comparisons to "Last Castle" are incorrect). Brubaker is an utterly honest and incorruptible soul. Once we see how he uncovers grafters among the prison administration and trustees, there's little more for him to do. We know that outside businessmen will be corrupt croneys and that even well meaning corrections bureaucrats will try to rein Brubaker in for the good of the system. The movie blows what should be its focus - having Brubaker connect with the prisoners - something he does too easily, too much so considering that his first speech reminds them that they are prisoners and that they are there for a reason. There also aren't enough really supportive roles - as if Yaphet Kotto was the only reliable prisoner. Still worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Dark but incomplete tome on corrections reform
Review: Robert Redford is Brubaker, an honest expert in corrections sent to clean up a trouble-plagued penitentiary. Sent to Wakefield Brubaker enters undercover, living his first few days as a prisoner. We learn that for its brutality, Wakefield was conceived along the lines of a noble experiment - one that gave the prisoners unusual autonomy, and was intended to actually correct those imprisoned there. Instead, the experiment has carved a super-class of prisoners who rule over the rest of the prisoners as Trustees. Unafraid to use force, they skim off books while stealing supplies already paid for. Brubaker, once revealed as the new warden, slowly but surely turns the system upside down - he can't move too quickly because those prisoners or administrators who are most guilty are also the only ones who can tell him what's wrong. Eventually discarding the old guard, Brubaker soon learns that Wakefield has an even darker secret, one whose discovery threatens the Wakefield's future. This was a good movie, although it's hard to understand the first time around. The sophisticated system of prisoner autonomy is somewhat hard to believe unless you've already seen the movie before. The setting is interesting - a dessicated prison, complete with an antique electric chair (which emerges from the shadows like the monster from "Alien" - quite yet terrifying). That said, the movie has no surprises (comparisons to "Last Castle" are incorrect). Brubaker is an utterly honest and incorruptible soul. Once we see how he uncovers grafters among the prison administration and trustees, there's little more for him to do. We know that outside businessmen will be corrupt croneys and that even well meaning corrections bureaucrats will try to rein Brubaker in for the good of the system. The movie blows what should be its focus - having Brubaker connect with the prisoners - something he does too easily, too much so considering that his first speech reminds them that they are prisoners and that they are there for a reason. There also aren't enough really supportive roles - as if Yaphet Kotto was the only reliable prisoner. Still worth a look.
Rating: 
Summary: Pretty Good
Review: this Film starts out with a bang.it follows Brubaker's Charge trying to correct the wrongs.Robert Redford&Yaphet Kotto are strong here.but the film has the typical cliches that hurt alot of films.especially the ending that is typical Hollywood.still it does a great job of showing the Corruption from the inside.had it been a little stronger it would have a Classic.
Rating:
Summary: Drama with guts!
Review: This film took me in and exposed an almost unbelieveable sub-human existence in a men's prison. The horrors revealed are what make this film so riviting! Layer after layer are pealed away to uncover the corruption that lies at it's heart. This film takes an uncompromising look at a prison in the Deep South and leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth. The politics of power are examined in this movie with devistating effects...and the corruption goes all the way to the top! Redford is great-of coarse! Excellect cast of well developed characters makes this movie a must see!
Rating:
Summary: An American Treasure!!
Review: This is a film that will gain recognition as the years go by. It's a "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington" with Redford as reform-minded prison warden. A classic story of one man trying to do the right thing and a corrupt system that wants to maintain the status quo and block him at every turn. A wonderful story of the transformation that can take place when you treat people with respect and dignity. A true American Classic! Redford conveys such "centerdness" and conscience he's a true inspiration!! ...
Rating: 
Summary: Starts out great
Review: This movie starts out great, but the ending is kind of uneventful. Redford is so smart in picking good scripts, this script inevitably has a lot of intelligence to it. But it doesn't carry all the way through.
Rating:
Summary: A+!! One of Robert Redford's best films.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Movie!
Review: 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.
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