... 'The Last Castle' is without doubt one of those films. Last week after flicking through all of the SKY and terrestrial channels at least twice, we agreed to stick with this film which was showing on SKY movies, as we saw it had a decent cast, so it was worth chancing our luck. I had heard ... Read review
Explosive star power meets spectacular action when Academy-Award winner Robert Redford ... more
goes up against a ruthless prison warden in this powerhouse action thriller. His service to his country made him a hero. One mistake made him a prisoner. For general Eugene Irwin, it's just a matter of serving out his sentence - until he makes the shocking discovery that his fellow inmates are being murdered. Now, Irwin is taking command one last time - and unifying the inmates in a desperate battle to overcome a brutally corrupt system and show he world the truth.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1957 - Drama - Director: Leo McCarey - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Cathleen Nesbitt, Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Fortunio Bonanova
Advantages: The cast are excellent, Disadvantages: Plot not meaty enough for some
Sometimes, I find that the films I end up watching by chance are far better than the ones I spend my time mulling over in the local rental shop. 'The Last Castle' is without doubt one of those films. Last week after flicking through all of the SKY and terrestrial channels at least twice, we agreed to stick with this film which was showing on SKY movies, as we saw it had a decent cast, so it was worth chancing our luck. I had heard a few people at ... ...I had no idea what the film was about, or even who it starred, and I don't know why but the title had always put me off in the past. There's logic for you....and this time I can't even blame the wife!
Ageing heartthrob Robert Redford takes the lead role as Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin. As the film starts we know very little about the character other than he was highly respected by some men, and hated by others who were jealous of ... more
Sometimes, I find that the films I end up watching by chance are far better than the ones I spend my time mulling over in the local rental shop. 'The Last Castle' is without doubt one of those films. Last week after flicking through all of the SKY and terrestrial channels at least twice, we agreed to stick with this film which was showing on SKY movies, as we saw it had a decent cast, so it was worth chancing our luck. I had heard a few people at work rave on about this film after seeing it, but until now I had no idea what the film was about, or even who it starred, and I don't know why but the title had always put me off in the past. There's logic for you....and this time I can't even blame the wife!
Ageing heartthrob Robert Redford takes the lead role as Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin. As the film starts we know very little about the character other than he was highly respected by some men, and hated by others who were jealous of the loyalty he commanded, and the esteem in which the higher powers in the army held him. He is now in prison, although the reason for his imprisonment is not revealed until quite a way into the film, and as I do not want to spoil any amateur sleuths out there, I will not reveal the reason here. He wants to keep himself to himself, and seems intent on punishing himself for reasons unknown initially, which makes his fellow inmates initially quite wary of him.
James Gandolfini shows that he can head a television show like 'The Sopranos', but is such a good character actor that he is not typecast, as here he plays the tyrannical prison governor Colonel Winter, who is doing a good job of keeping the true events in the prison hidden from the authorities even though there have been many investigations into his conduct. At first, he welcomes Irwin into the prison, but after a chance remark Irwin makes to one of the prison officers about a hobby Winter has infuriates him, and from that point on Winter sees him as a threat, and treats him and any inmates who support or look up to Irwin with total contempt and unacceptable levels of punishment and brutality.
Irwin soon finds out that brutality is the order of the day in this prison. Inmates are killed when they are shot in the head with rubber bullets when no such force was necessary to deal with the situations that arose. Irwin does not want to be the leader in the prison as his rank in the army would dictate, and initially tries to distance himself from the claims, and ideas for an inmates revolt. It is only when a young inmate receives the treatment after saluting Irwin that he decides to take a stand against the regime that is in place. The inmate was initially given a punishment which Irwin challenged as being unlawful, so a different punishment was put in place to orchestrate the eventual murder of the young inmate.
Irwin is also battling his own demons in the midst of this. He has to fight against the visions of his time in service which haunt him, and also the guilt of being an absent and inadequate father and subsequently grandfather. As this is not enough, he finds that the inmates all look up to him for advice and leadership, as even though they are no longer in the army, they find it hard to act without the respect for rank that was drummed into them in whilst they were in service. Irwin does not think he is worthy of this respect, but he is determined that justice will prevail, and he makes it a very personal war between himself and Winter, where we can be sure there will only be one winner, and that will be the last man standing.
Irwin gets the inmates together and they plot to take control of the prison and overthrow Winter. Some of the ideas they come up with may be unacceptable to some people, but this is a film, and I personally have no idea what can or cannot be achieved within prison boundaries. For a while, you are not completely sure if all of the inmates are on Irwin's side, and there is one inmate especially whose father served with Irwin, who seems to hold a grudge against him, but the reason for this is never really investigated or dealt with, and I came to the conclusion that as his father was dead and Irwin was alive, this is where the dislike stemmed from, although by the end of the film their relationship develops into a father and son type scenario.
Redford is excellent, and at times he looks like a man many years younger than his true age, however towards the end of the film he looks rough! All that said though, he is still unbelieveably cool, and my assures me still very attractive despite his advancing years. I thought his performance was very strong, and he was the perfect casting choice. Gandolfini is the star of the film for me. I disliked his character immensely. He does not overplay it, and this meant that the character was completely believeable. I willed the inmates on at the end of the film, and wasted no sympathy when he found himself faced with an inmates revolt. I would like to see more of Gandolfini, and certainly more critical success for him.
The film is nothing amazing in terms of being a famous cast film, but my immediate reaction when the closing credits rolled were that I had thoroughly enjoyed it, and I will certainly watch it again. Admittedly, there were times when the plot was somewhat predictable, but it did not detract from my enjoyment of the film at all. It is not a typical prison film as I have come to expect, and I found it gritty, and honestly realistic. I would recommend this for a night in with a takeaway and a few cans, and I am sure you will not be disappointed with the story and the performances.
Advantages: Robert Redford Disadvantages: Unrealistic theme
Reviews of The Last Castle generally fall into two very consistent categories. The Americans seem to think the movie is a masterpiece – the rest of the world seems rather less convinced. My motivation for renting this film was largely due to a lack of choice, rather than a keen interest, as I’m not a massive fan of prison movies. There are good things and bad things about this film – it easily passed a couple of otherwise dull hours, ... ...I were you.
The Last Castle is a prison film with a slight twist. The castle in question is in fact a US military prison, which behind its impressive stonework harbours a rather dark secret. Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin is sentenced to imprisonment, for failing to obey a direct order. Initially welcomed and almost revered by the prisoner governor – Colonel Winter – Irwin quickly finds himself at odds with the prison regime. Fellow ...
LostWitness 31.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Last Castle (DVD)
Advantages: Lead Actors, Mildly Entertaining Disadvantages: No Originality, Cliched
The prison movie, something that fits like an old glove. It's the kind of film you may find showing on TV come Sunday afternoon. It's warm, it's comfortable and not too taxing. You can find yourself suitably entertained but far from overwhelmed. If you fall asleep then it's no big deal, chances are you'll know the ending anyway. Of course there are a few exceptions to the rule with The Shawshank Redemption being the obvious choice. The Last Castle ... ...are criminals but not in the broadest sense. This could have been something to really play about with and create some morality questions within the characters. Sadly the film piles on cliche after cliche and only a few saving graces pull it into three star terriotory. Robert Redford plays Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin, a highly honoured man who is sent to prison after disobeying a direct order which cost the lives of several men. His arrival interests ...
utero 15.05.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of The Last Castle (DVD)
The Last Castle, is set in a millitary prison for soldiers who've been naughty. Castles are built to keep people out but this castle is to keep people in.
Robert Redford is disgraced Army General Eugene Irwin who is sent to the 'Castle' to do his time for disobeying a presidential order. The prison warden, Colonel Winter (James Gandofini) is at first in awe of such a legend but as Redford stats questioning his methods on how the prison is ran; ie; ... ...more rebellious. From the second Redford sets foot in the prison yard up until the last half hour, Redford and Gandolfini take part in a deadly battle of wits and strategy. When the prisoners finally have enough of how the prison is ran, they plan to sieze control of it and get the warden's resignation.
Irwin takes command one more time to expose the corruption and brutallity of the prison, rallying together an army of inmates to overthrow the castle.
...
DarkMark 26.02.2003 (17.03.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of The Last Castle (DVD)
Advantages: Great cast, nice tale Disadvantages: Completely implausible, and full of clichés
...watchable film, with all of the ingredients for a diverting, if not thought provoking night in.
The plot is a bit silly all told, Robert Redford is a highly decorated soldier who is sent to military prison for an aberration of judgement. Everyone has heard of him, and is in awe of him, including the Head Warden (Gandolfini of 'Soprano's' fame). Everyone decides that the warden is a bit of a nasty fellow, and Redford leads an uprising.
It is full ... ...by rather excellent performances from the main protagonists, and an understanding from the viewer that they have to suspend reality and not pick at the plot holes. I am not normally fond of these type of films with the americanised feelgood ending and hurrahs, but I have to admit, I have watched it more than once, and enjoyed it. ...
BFAl 29.12.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of The Last Castle (DVD)
General Eugene Irwin is set to prison after he made a serious error. Whilst there he makes a shocking discovery, his fellow prisoners are being murdered, together they must act to stop those responsible...
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
DREAMWORKS HOME ENTERTAINMENT; PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT, 4 FRONT VIDEO; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Audio Commentary - 1. Rod Lurie - Director, Trailer - 1. Original Theatrical Trailer, Deleted Scenes, Featurette - 1. INSIDE THE CASTLE WALLS
Dubbing Sound
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Professional reviews
Review
"...Redford's comfortable charm and confidence make his character an easy man to rally behind....[Gandolfini's] performance yields emotion as palpable as any he's expressed..." (Box Office, p.60-1, 01/12/2001)
"...Exuberant, strapping..." (New York Times, p.E16, 19/10/2001)
Terrifically entertaining! (Roger Ebert, )
"...[Redford] has a natural authority and a commanding, charismatic presence that serves him well..." (USA Today, p.6E, 19/10/2001)
DVD Description
Three-star General Irwin (Robert Redford) was a prisoner of war in Vietnam and a revered hero in the Persian Gulf and Bosnian campaigns. Now, he has been court-martialed for disobeying orders and he is sentenced to serve time at The Castle, a maximum-security military prison run by Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini), a hard-nosed disciplinarian. A battle of wills soon emerges between the two men, as The Castle's prisoners and guards find themselves drawn to Irwin's natural leadership abilities. As Irwin inspires the prisoners to find the dignity and pride that they have lost, he threatens Winter's strict regime, leading to a conflict that can only have one winner. From Rod Lurie, West Point graduate and director of DETERRENCE and THE CONTENDER, comes this intense dramatic thriller featuring battles both psychological and military. Stars Redford and Gandolfini, joined by gifted newcomers Mark Ruffalo and Clifton Collins, Jr., give excellent performances as a group of very different military men thrown together into an ugly situation. Filmed on location at the now-closed Tennessee State Penetentiary, THE LAST CASTLE is a hard-edged tribute to courage, honor, and loyalty.
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