Best Prison Movies...Ever!

A Listmania! list by Cheeky Monkey (Region 2)
 
The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray]
1.  The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray] 
The list author says:
  "Engrossing period prison drama from Stephen King's short story that has become one of the most popular films of all time, transcending its genre."
£6.97
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (244 customer reviews) | 7 customer discussions
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The Green Mile [Blu-ray] [1999][Region Free]
2.  The Green Mile [Blu-ray] [1999][Region Free] 
The list author says:
  "Depression era prison drama based on a sentimental but harrowing (and occassionally horrific) story also by Stephen King told with an uncompromising mixture of gallows humour and tragedy."
£5.99   Used & New from: £4.42
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (170 customer reviews) | 3 customer discussions
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Papillon [DVD]
3.  Papillon [DVD] 
The list author says:
  "Dustin Hoffman and Steven McQueen star in this gruelling but captivating prison saga set at the brutal French penal colony in Guiyana made with the philosophy that 'less is more'."
£3.89   Used & New from: £2.61
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
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The Great Escape [Blu-ray]
4.  The Great Escape [Blu-ray] DVD ~ Steve McQueen
The list author says:
  "Detailed WW2 drama inspired by an attempted breakout at a German POW camp with a memorably stirring theme tune. A little plodding and melodramatic but livens up when the ensemble cast are on the run."
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4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (67 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion
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The Bridge on the River Kwai [DVD] [2000]
5.  The Bridge on the River Kwai [DVD] [2000] DVD ~ William Holden
The list author says:
  "Rousing WW2 epic with a sweeping canvas set in a Japanese forced labour camp that highlights the irony of war."
£4.49   Used & New from: £1.89
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
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Empire Of The Sun - Special Edition [DVD] [1987]
6.  Empire Of The Sun - Special Edition [DVD] [1987] DVD ~ Empire of the Sun
The list author says:
  "Valiant, if downbeat, wartime saga based on the harrowing childhood experiencs of JG Ballard during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai. Directed by Speilberg, Christian Bales first starring role."
£8.99   Used & New from: £3.50
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
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Escape From Alcatraz [1979] [DVD]
7.  Escape From Alcatraz [1979] [DVD] DVD ~ Clint Eastwood
The list author says:
  "Simple but sincere drama content with characterising stereotypes. Credited as a true story about an escape from the infamous prison."
£3.67   Used & New from: £2.42
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
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Midnight Express [Blu-ray] [2009][Region Free]
8.  Midnight Express [Blu-ray] [2009][Region Free] DVD ~ Paolo Bonacelli
The list author says:
  "Despite being well acted and produced, this gripping drama's depressingly relentless and inaccurate approach courted favour and controversy alike."
£7.49
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews) | 2 customer discussions
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In The Name of The Father [DVD] [1994]
9.  In The Name of The Father [DVD] [1994] DVD ~ Daniel Day-Lewis
The list author says:
  "This emotive drama with career performances based on Gerry Conlon's miscarriage of justice was powerful enough without having to invent certain events to heighten dramatic resonance."
£3.29   Used & New from: £1.49
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews) | 2 customer discussions
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One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [Blu-ray] [1976][Region Free]
10.  One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [Blu-ray] [1976][Region Free] 
The list author says:
  "Jack Nicolson is at his best in this powerful, poignant adaptation about a battle of wills between a patient in a psychiatric ward and the cruel head nurse."
£9.49   Used & New from: £6.49
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews) | 2 customer discussions
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Scum (2 Disc Special Collector's Edition) [1977] [DVD]
11.  Scum (2 Disc Special Collector's Edition) [1977] [DVD] DVD ~ Scum
The list author says:
  "Originally banned by the BBC this shockingly graphic depiction of ritual abuse and institiutional life inside a boys' borstal remains powerful. This edition includes both versions."
£23.99   Used & New from: £2.86
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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Birdman Of Alcatraz [DVD]
12.  Birdman Of Alcatraz [DVD] DVD ~ Burt Lancaster
The list author says:
  "This harsh drama won praise for the filmmakers and Burt Lancaster for a sympathetic protest against the penal system, but some accuse its inaccuracies of glorifying its subject."
£4.25   Used & New from: £2.71
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Stalag 17 [1952] [DVD] [1953]
13.  Stalag 17 [1952] [DVD] [1953] DVD ~ William Holden
The list author says:
  "Early Hollywood film set in a POW camp. Its often light-hearted approach doesn't seem to reflect the harsh reality we now know but the plot is strong enough to endure."
£3.67   Used & New from: £1.94
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
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Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence [DVD] [1983]
14.  Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence [DVD] [1983] DVD ~ David Bowie
The list author says:
  "Memorable downbeat drama set in a Japanese POW camp highlighting the clash of cultures with the casting of David Bowie adding to the curiosity of this captivating, often harrowing, humanitarian film."
£5.87   Used & New from: £3.98
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion
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Life Is Beautiful [DVD] [1999]
15.  Life Is Beautiful [DVD] [1999] DVD ~ Roberto Benigni
The list author says:
  "What begins as a sentimental romantic-comedy becomes a poignant historical comment shot through with humour and pathos in this bittersweet wartime drama."
Used & New from: £2.01
4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (144 customer reviews)
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Das Experiment [DVD]
16.  Das Experiment [DVD] DVD ~ Moritz Bleibtreu
The list author says:
  "Inspired by a notorious real-life psychological experiment this is a grim but compulsive study in which the roleplay between guards and inmates inevitably escalates out of control."
£5.50   Used & New from: £1.55
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
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Ghosts of the Civil dead [DVD]
17.  Ghosts of the Civil dead [DVD] DVD ~ David Field
The list author says:
  "Prison gangs clash in a high-tech security jail where there are no rules. Co-written and co-starring Nick Cave."
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4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Escape From New York [Blu-ray]
18.  Escape From New York [Blu-ray] DVD ~ Kurt Russell
The list author says:
  "Manhattan has been turned into a penal colony in this tense futuristic thriller with an interesting premise and Kurt Russell doing his best Clint Eastwood impersonation."
£5.89   Used & New from: £4.62
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews) | 4 customer discussions
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Cube [DVD] [1998]
19.  Cube [DVD] [1998] DVD ~ Nicole de Boer
The list author says:
  "Gripping sci-fi thriller with an inspired minimalist concept about a group of strangers trying to escape from a series of interlocking rooms."
Used & New from: £4.68
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
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Fortress [DVD] [1994]
20.  Fortress [DVD] [1994] DVD ~ Christopher Lambert
The list author says:
  "Archetypal sci-fi prison drama set in a grim oppressive state that has enough energy and gore to keep genre fans amused."
£4.77   Used & New from: £0.92
3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
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No Escape [DVD] [1994]
21.  No Escape [DVD] [1994] DVD ~ Ray Liotta
The list author says:
  "Exciting futuristic prison adventure set on an inescapable island."
£19.99   Used & New from: £1.61
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
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Bronson [Blu-ray] [2009]
22.  Bronson [Blu-ray] [2009] DVD ~ Matt King
The list author says:
  "An extraordinary, intense, utterly convincing performance in a spell-binding biopic, told with humour but not for the faint of heart."
£5.79   Used & New from: £3.88
3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (64 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion
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Hunger [DVD] [2008]
23.  Hunger [DVD] [2008] DVD ~ Michael Fassbender
The list author says:
  "Grim, grueling, yet gripping dramatization of the Maze prison hunger strikes with Michael Fassbender giving a committed performance and dialogue restricted to one central scene."
£4.49   Used & New from: £2.69
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews) | 1 customer discussion
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Customer Discussions about products in this list
Discussion Replies Latest Post
The Great Escape [Blu-ray] forum
Release date The Greate Escape (1963) blu-ray 		1 11 days ago
Midnight Express [Blu-ray] [2009][Region Free] forum
Sony/Columbia Tristar packaging? 		0 28 Sep 2011
The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray] forum
Are this Region Free? 		1 26 Sep 2011
Escape From New York [Blu-ray] forum
Subtitles? 		2 10 Jul 2011
The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray] forum
Subtitles? 		3 17 Jun 2011
In The Name of The Father [DVD] [1994] forum
Subtitles 		1 11 Apr 2011
In The Name of The Father [DVD] [1994] forum
title 		0 11 Nov 2010
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [Blu-ray] [1976][Region Free] forum
'making of' documentary 		0 27 Oct 2010
The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray] forum
Language/subtitle info 		0 24 Sep 2010
Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence [DVD] [1983] forum
english subtitles 		0 12 Sep 2010
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest [Blu-ray] [1976][Region Free] forum
subtitles? 		4 8 Sep 2010
The Shawshank Redemption [Blu-ray] forum
Subtitles in Portuguese? 		0 20 Apr 2010
 
   

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Author
Cheeky Monkey (Region 2)
Last updated: 02/03/2012
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