After seeing ‘A Prophet’ this weekend I decided to put together a list of my ten favorite prison related films for you.  Prison movies are usually gritty and violent and every time I see one of these films I am constantly reminded why I don’t want to go to jail.

10. The Longest Yard (1974)

Part prison film party sports movie, The Longest Yard still gives a sense of how brutal prison life can be and its got Burt Reynolds as Paul Crewe which is definitely worth seeing.  I would not even dare wasting my time with the pitiful remake by Adam Sandler.

9. Bad Boys (1983)

Sean Penn is great in this prison drama from the early 80′s.  I remember watching this movie when I was younger and getting caught up in the story and realized that it was okay to root for someone that was a little bad.

8. Papillon (1973)

Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman are excellent together in this classic film about prison life on a dreadful island with a horrible warden.  This is a very long movie but it is still a classic.

7. The Green Mile (1999)

This movie is a little lighter fair but yet is powerful and well crafted.  Tom Hanks is great in this role.  I wonder what ever happened to Michael Clark Duncan, unfortunately I have not seen him in much lately.  This movie proved once again that Frank Darabont knows how to capture the essence of prison life.

6. Escape From Alcatraz (1979)
 

This film based on the only successful escape from Alcatraz and it stars Clint Eastwood.  It is not as violent or gritty but is one of the stronger escape films and has a lot of suspense.

 5. Cool Hand Luke (1967)

Paul Newman is great as Cool Hand Luke and there are some very memorable scenes and great dialogue in this classic prison film.  Even though it does not take place in a traditional prison, this is  must see.

4. Rescue Dawn (2006)

Not a typical prison film but definitely one that should be listed here because of its subject matter.  This film is based on a true story and shows how horrible it was to be a POW.  This movie is hard to watch at times but shows the power of the human spirit.  Christian Bale is great in this role.

3. Felon (2008)

  
This straight to DVD film is a must watch because it is so powerful, violent and has a great cast.  Val Kilmer puts in one of his best performances as of late and Stephen Dorff really impressed me with this role.

2. A Prophet (2009)
 

I love the manner this film was shot.  This has to be one of the most gripping and realistic portrayals of prison life that I have seen.  It is a must see on DVD.  Don’t let the subtitles scare you away at all, it is well worth the viewing.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

I know that this movie is at the top of many a list of best prison films but that is for a number of well deserved reasons.  Frank Darabont knocked the script on this film so far out of the park that they are still searching for the ball.  This is the best role that I have seen Tim Robbins in and Morgan Freeman continues to impress me in this film.  This is the type of movie that never gets old and is a joy to watch despite its subject matter.




Did your film make the top ten?  Which films are missing?