Fact-based drama starring
Robert Redford as Henry Brubaker, the new inmate at a run-down Southern prison that's become notorious for corruption and violence. After he witnesses several instances of gross misconduct and defuses a tense confrontation with a crazed inmate (
Morgan Freeman), Brubaker reveals to the guards and administrators that he's not a criminal at all, but the new warden, assigned by the governor to infiltrate the facility undercover. His identity confirmed, Brubaker takes office and sets about shaping up policies and procedures, despite resistance from, incredibly, even some of the more entitled convicts. With the help of the prison's chief trustee (
Yaphet Kotto) and a compassionate ally (
Jane Alexander), the warden effects some positive change, but powerful business interests line up against him when his ideas threaten their financial bottom line. A reform-minded, socially conscious, and politically liberal picture of the type usually associated with director
Norman Jewison, this fact-based prison drama was the result of a troubled production that saw original director
Bob Rafelson replaced with
Cool Hand Luke (1967) and
The Amityville Horror (1979) helmsman
Stuart Rosenberg. Despite the backstage turmoil, Brubaker was an acclaimed release and an Oscar-nominated, career-finale triumph for co-screenwriter Arthur A. Ross, creator of
Creature From the Black Lagoon (1954) and father of successful writer/director
Gary Ross. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide