Starred Up
Starred Up hits big screen today and carries on the long film tradition of setting movies in prison.
Over the years, we have been treated to a whole host of fantastic movies that have been set behind bars.
To celebrate the release of Starred Up, we take a look at some of the best.
- The Shawshank Redemption (1995)
You can't talk about prison films with giving a little mention to The Shawshank Redemption: which is one of my personal favourites.
The Shawshank Redemption was released back in 1994, and was based on the Stephen King novel Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
Starring Tom Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the movie followed the storm of Andy Dufresne, who is sent to jail for nearly twenty years for the murder of his wife and lover. However, he always protested his innocence.
Hard to believe, but The Shawshank Redemption was not a hit when it was released - performing quite poorly at the box office.
However, over the years The Shawshank Redemption has become a classic prison break movie. The film boasts a terrific cast; Robbins and Freeman do deliver terrific performances.
This may be a movie about justice and life in prison, but friendship is what lies at the heart of this film.
- Cool Hand Luke (1967)
Paul Newman is one of the most iconic actors to grace the big screen, and Cool Hand Luke remains one of his greatest roles.
Paul Newman takes on the title character of Luke, a man who conforms to life in a rural prison.
The movie is based on the Donn Pearce novel of the same name, and sees Stuart Rosenberg in the director's chair.
Cool Hand Luke a movie that is just packed with great, memorable, and truly quotable moments.
However, it is more than that as this was a real milestone in the anti-hero character; played so fantastically by Newman. This is a role that should have won him an Oscar.
From start to finish, Cool Hand Look is a really powerful and gritty prison drama that really set the standard for films in this genre.
- Hunger (2008)
Hunger is one of the greatest directorial debuts of all time, as Steve McQueen stepped into the director's chair for the first time.
Hunger is based on the true story of Bobby Sands, an Irish republican who led the inmates of a Northern Irish prison in a hunger strike.
Believe me when I tell you that Hunger is a gritty and quite harrowing watch; it is one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.
McQueen is famed for being a director who doesn't shy away from controversy and the truth, and this is where all that started.
This may be one of the toughest movies that you will ever watch, but it will also be one of the most compelling.
It is driven forward by a superb central performance from Michael Fassbender - why he wasn't recognised with more awards is nothing short of a mystery.
Hunger kicked off a great partnership between Fassbender & McQueen, and really showed off the type of director McQueen was set to be. A must see!!!!
- The Great Escape (1963)
The Great Escape is widely regarded as one of the greatest war movies of all time; which is based on an incredible true story.
Set during the Second World War, The Great Escape follows a group of P.O.W.s who try to escape from a German camp.
John Sturges was in the director's chair for the film, and brought together a fab cast that included Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough and Charles Bronson.
Some may complain at the film's run time, but 168 minutes really does allow you to get to know these characters and see them form into a solid team who put their difference aside for the greater goal.
And it is this theme of teamwork that really is the heart and soul of this great movie.
Sturges expertly blends suspense and drama with bags of humour to make a cinematic treat, which has stood the test of time.
- Dead Man Walking (1996)
Another of my personal favourites in this genre comes in the form of Dead Man Walking: hard to believe that this movie is almost twenty years old.
The movie is based on the book by Helen Prejean, while Tim Robbins returned to the director's chair for his second feature film.
The movie follows Prejean, a nun who comforts convicted killer Matthew Poncelet as he faces death row. Prejean is played by Susan Sarandon, while Sean Penn was on board as Matthew Poncelet.
Dead Man Walking is an intelligent and incredibly balance movie, which looks at the crime from both sides of victim and perpetrator.
With this film, Robbins does explore the issue of capital punishment, and yet it doesn't come down on either side of the debate. It is great to see a movie really allow the audience to make its own mind up.
The film is really driven forward by terrific performances from Sarandon and Penn - there is a connection between them that really drives the development of their relationship.
Dead Man Walking is nothing short of a modern masterpiece.
- The Green Mile (1999)
We have already looked at one Stephen King adaptation, and now we are going to look at a second in the form of The Green Mile.
Frank Darabont was back in the director's chair, while Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, and David Morse are all on the director's chair.
The Green Mile is a truly touching film that looks at good vs evil, injustice, and miracles; it really is a passionate and emotional film.
Hanks is fantastic in the central role of prison office Paul Edgecomb, who is powerless to stop the execution of an innocent man.
Of course, some suspension of disbelief is required, but it is such a great story that you really are swept along with it all.
The Green Mile is one of those films that has me in tears every time I watch it; and there are not many movies that can say that.
- Starred Up (2014)
Starred Up is already being touted as one of the best British movies of the year, as David Mackenzie is back in the director's chair.
The movie follows a troubled teenager, who is transferred to an adult prison. Here he comes face to face with his father.
Jack O'Connell takes on the central character, in what is set to be a career defining performance from the upcoming star.
His is a bold and fearless performance from O'Connell; it is not hard to see why just about everyone is excited about this actor.
Mackenzie has delivered movies such as Young Adam and Spread during his directing career, and this is his first film since You Instead.
2014 is set to be a fantastic year for British film, and Starred Up is just one of the films not to be missed.
Other prison movies to check out include Sleepers, Bronson, A Prophet, and American History X.
Starred Up is out now.