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Brubaker
1980 125 min United States of America R 12+
★7.2
Crime, Drama
Director: Stuart Rosenberg
Trailers
Description
The new warden of a small prison farm in Arkansas tries to clean it up of corruption after initially posing as an inmate.
Budget:
$9M
US Gross:
$37.12M
Worldwide:
$37.12M
Starring
Robert Redford
Actor
Yaphet Kotto
Actor
Morgan Freeman
Actor
Awards
Academy Awards 1981
— Best Screenplay
Key opinion
Brubaker is widely regarded as a compelling and underrated prison drama that provides a gritty look at systemic corruption. While some viewers find the plot structure or reformist focus slightly uneven, Robert Redford’s commanding performance anchors the film as a powerful exploration of institutional injustice.
| Acting | Robert Redford delivers a steel-spined, iconic performance that anchors the film's narrative. | |
| Theme | The film effectively depicts a grim and unsettling atmosphere of systemic corruption, abuse, and exploitation within the prison system. | |
| Acting | Strong supporting turns from actors like Yaphet Kotto and Morgan Freeman add significant weight to the ensemble. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure is divisive; some appreciate the steady, purposeful pacing, while others find the shift from thriller to social drama disjointed and the reform plot underdeveloped. | |
| Ending | The ending creates a sharp divide: some viewers find its frustratingly uplifting nature powerful and memorable, while others see it as ambiguous or difficult to reconcile. |