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Top Prison Films

Following on from lists about favourite westerns and war films, next up is Prison Films.

Not as many compared to other genres, so couldn't really do a top 5 and also need to watch more generally. But here are some of my favourites.

I Am A Fugitive From A Chain Gang- A film made in the 30s that was about 50 years ahead of its time. Also has one of the best endings to a film.

Shawshank Redemption- Expect it will be in most people's lists. Still a classic every time.

Starred Up- Came out in 2013, very raw depiction of prison life in the UK. Guy at work who worked in Brixton Prison said its the most real Prison film there is. 
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Comments

  • DaveMehmet
    DaveMehmet Posts: 21,733
    edited March 10
    McVicar, Green Mile
  • ForeverAddickted
    ForeverAddickted Posts: 96,026
    I still have never got round to seeing Shawshank Redemption!!

    I've always enjoyed "Life" with Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence though
  • North Lower Neil
    North Lower Neil Posts: 23,096
    edited March 10
    Shawshank obviously 
    The Green Mile
    Cool Hand Luke
    Scum

    American History X's prison scenes are good.
  • North Lower Neil
    North Lower Neil Posts: 23,096
    Porridge too, though the show was better.
  • SporadicAddick
    SporadicAddick Posts: 6,975
    McVicar - South London.
    Escape from Alcatraz. Of its time. Atmospheric. A script accurate to the real story.
    Escape to Victory. Surely the greatest film of all time (albeit a POW camp rather than a prison). "Let's go back...we can win this".
  • bobmunro
    bobmunro Posts: 21,066
    edited March 10
    Already mentioned, Shawshank, Green Mile, McVicar et al.

    I would add The Birdman of Alcatraz and Papillon (McQueen/Hoffman version).
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,444
    I'm a Fugitive from a Chain Gang
    Cool Hand Luke
    Oh Brother Where art thou?
    Shawshank
    Two Way Stretch
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,444
    POW films, of which there are many good examples, are a different category
  • ValleyGary
    ValleyGary Posts: 38,177
    All those mention before but also Papillon 
  • supaclive
    supaclive Posts: 6,528
    All those mention before but also Papillon 
    My favourite film of all time - the Dustin Hoffman one.... NOT the Charlie Hunnam one !

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  • ValleyGary
    ValleyGary Posts: 38,177
    Midnight Express as well 
  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,950
    edited March 10
    Midnight Express
    The Green Mile
    Papillon

    Are my top three


    Shawshank 
    Cool Hand Luke
    Dead man Walking
    The Hurricane

    Are right up there too. 
  • shirty5
    shirty5 Posts: 19,410
    McVicar 
  • Fumbluff
    Fumbluff Posts: 10,208
    Oh come on, many great ones listed but surely The Rock still counts……schuperb
  • cafcnick1992
    cafcnick1992 Posts: 7,502
    Escape from Pretoria is fun
  • McBobbin
    McBobbin Posts: 12,085
    Without repeating some of the classics above, Scrubbers, which is sort of a female version of Scum is pretty good

    Con Air? Bit of a stretch tbf
  • McBobbin
    McBobbin Posts: 12,085
    Fumbluff said:
    Oh come on, many great ones listed but surely The Rock still counts……schuperb
    I thought of The Rock, and it's an absolute banger, but probably as much of a stretch as Con Air!
  • Fumbluff
    Fumbluff Posts: 10,208
    Con Air has aged worse I’d say….
  • Pelling1993
    Pelling1993 Posts: 6,889
    I watched Brawl In Cell Block 99 a few months back and really enjoyed it
  • Pelling1993
    Pelling1993 Posts: 6,889
    Shot Caller is also a very solid film

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  • Addickhead86
    Addickhead86 Posts: 1,154
    Really liked Starred Up, think it went under the radar a bit.

    In the same vein, Sing Sing, which came out last year, was a really great film. 
  • supaclive
    supaclive Posts: 6,528
    edited March 10
    Starred Up I thought was going to be the making of Jack O'Connell and though he was excellent in '71 he's not gone on to be the superstar I thought he could.

    We are releasing a film called "Inside" later this year - Guy Pearce's next film after The Brutalist.   Got a load of great reviews already.   If you like Prison dramas.   This is very good, even if I say so myself!

    INSIDE Official Trailer


  • Bedsaddick
    Bedsaddick Posts: 24,950
    supaclive said:
    Starred Up I thought was going to be the making of Jack O'Connell and though he was excellent in '71 he's not gone on to be the superstar I thought he could.

    We are releasing a film called "Inside" later this year - Guy Pearce's next film after The Brutalist.   Got a load of great reviews already.   If you like Prison dramas.   This is very good, even if I say so myself!

    INSIDE Official Trailer


    He would be the perfect Bond . 
  • Fumbluff
    Fumbluff Posts: 10,208
    supaclive said:
    Starred Up I thought was going to be the making of Jack O'Connell and though he was excellent in '71 he's not gone on to be the superstar I thought he could.

    We are releasing a film called "Inside" later this year - Guy Pearce's next film after The Brutalist.   Got a load of great reviews already.   If you like Prison dramas.   This is very good, even if I say so myself!

    INSIDE Official Trailer


    He would be the perfect Bond . 
    Mike from Neighbours?
    Surely he’s too old? How about Joe Mangle?
  • msomerton
    msomerton Posts: 3,087
    Yield to the night. A great performance from Diana Dors.
    Scum, one of the hardest movies to watch emotionally.
    Loneliness of a long distance run  Tom Courtenay at his best.
    Shawshank redemption just great plot and all acted well.
    Cool Hand Luke.
  • Gisappointed
    Gisappointed Posts: 1,040
    edited March 10
    Cool Hand Luke my favourite film of any genre. Narrowly beats It's a Wonderful Life.
  • seth plum
    seth plum Posts: 53,448
    Another vote for Cool Hand Luke.
    Shawshank in second place.
  • cafcfan
    cafcfan Posts: 11,228
    I guess A Clockwork Orange counts - who could forget the Ludivico Technique?
  • charlton4ever
    charlton4ever Posts: 1,762
    My Cousin Vinny - hilarious
  • Fumbluff
    Fumbluff Posts: 10,208
    edited March 10
    Chicken Run?

    Edit: This should score highly here as not only do the chickens sound like famous actors some of them look like them too….