The Last Castle **** (2001, Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo) – Classic Movie Review 752

Robert Redford enjoys his tailor-made part as a jailed three-star general, who rallies 1,000 inmates to rise up against their evil governor, in director Rod Lurie’s involving and finally exciting 2001 prison movie thriller.

As warden Colonel Winter, James Gandolfini gives a showy turn in what was then his best movie role yet – and he’s even creepier here than he was in The Sopranos.

The film follows its trusted formula with all the conviction of people telling the story for the first time. There are echoes of The Shawshank Redemption, for example, in David Scarpa’s screenplay, though the story seems to go back to prison movies as long ago as the 1930s. And it doesn’t necessarily add anything fresh to them. But it grips well enough, anyway. And, after a long, tense build-up, helped by the strong acting, the climax is spectacular.

In a tour-de-force of acting, Redford looks every inch the tough guy as Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin, stripped of his rank and jailed for disobedience in a mission. Irwin is angry at Winter’s unjust treatment of the inmates and decides to teach him a lesson by taking over command of the maximum security military prison facility. Game on between the two men to find out who is king of the castle.

Delroy Lindo, Mark Ruffalo, Steve Burton, Paul Calderon and Jeremy Childs also star, and Clifton Collins Jr makes a strong impression in support as Corporal Ramon Aguilar.

There’s some outstanding, dangerous-looking technical work in the stunt department as fire engulfs six inmates when the gas bomb they are firing is exploded by a guard’s rifle shot, a helicopter lowers into prison yard, is taken over by an inmate and flies through the yard, and in the final prison yard battle sequence.

James Gandolfini died of a heart attack on June 19 2013, aged 51.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 752

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