The Last Castle (2001)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Red L

  
  I usually like seeing movies where the underdog finds a way to triumph over the nasty villain, but this movie is a bit hard to take. In five minutes of movie time General Irwin goes from "Hmmm, we should overtake this prison" to the full fledged revolt overcoming guns,… More
  I usually like seeing movies where the underdog finds a way to triumph over the nasty villain, but this movie is a bit hard to take. In five minutes of movie time General Irwin goes from "Hmmm, we should overtake this prison" to the full fledged revolt overcoming guns, water cannons and helicopters.

• Dan S

  
  A flawed, if watchable drama concerning a former general (Robert Redford) who is sent to prison under the watch of a sadistic warden (James Gandolfini), and how he rouses the inmates to rise up against the corrupt warden. Redford is perfect as the silent rebel type, with Gandolfini an… More
  A flawed, if watchable drama concerning a former general (Robert Redford) who is sent to prison under the watch of a sadistic warden (James Gandolfini), and how he rouses the inmates to rise up against the corrupt warden. Redford is perfect as the silent rebel type, with Gandolfini an ideal fit as the ego maniacal villain. Although it is heavily cliched and suffers from an overdose of melodrama, the end still packs a punch despite its faults.

• Anthony L

  
  Unremarkable. A good idea gone to waste as all the usual prison movie cliques take over. The ending is so over the top it turns from nice idea to complete rubbish. Watch Cool Hand Luke instead!

• Dean M

  
  By refusing to follow orders, a highly respected army general causes the death of soliders under his command. As a result, he is sentenced to serve time in a military prison where he becomes the leader of a revolt against the sadistic commander of the facility. Predictable, yes, but… More
  By refusing to follow orders, a highly respected army general causes the death of soliders under his command. As a result, he is sentenced to serve time in a military prison where he becomes the leader of a revolt against the sadistic commander of the facility. Predictable, yes, but the cast is top-notch, and there are some fine action sequences. While lacking the qualities that made <i>The Great Escape</i> and <i>Stalag 17</i> classics of the genre, it manages to be midly entertaining.

• Al S

  
  Spectacular entertainment. Robert Redford and James Gandolfini are magnificent. Tackeling their finest film roles yet. They make all the right moves and never missing a note. An awsome, remarkable and astonishing film. A powerful and terrific action-packed thriller. Inventive and well… More
  Spectacular entertainment. Robert Redford and James Gandolfini are magnificent. Tackeling their finest film roles yet. They make all the right moves and never missing a note. An awsome, remarkable and astonishing film. A powerful and terrific action-packed thriller. Inventive and well crafted action sequences and riveting drama. Totally effective, gripping and ground breaking. Entertainment of the finest scale thats loaded with heart-pounding tension. It's a total complete knockout. Movies dont get better than this. It's far more than the average prison drama or military thriller. An intense, character driven, potent and intelligent adreniline rush. Stellar and emotionaly tightning. Utterlty moving and breathtaking.

• Jason S

  
  It was ok. I thought the end was a little bit of a let down.

• Leigh R

  
  Looks and sounds odd, but is really very good.

• Michael G

  
  Just okay.

• Jens S

  
  Starting out like a military version of the Shawshank Redemtion, but getting on every non-army-viewer's nerves with all the salutating and flag waving. At least the McGyver/A-Team-like showdown is nice to look at.

• Khris N

  
  Personal Fav. Big Redford and Gandolfini fan - good movie!

• Mouhannad S

  
  A prisoner's fantasy: decorated U.S. General Robert Redford has been Court Marshalled for disobeying orders during wartime--which resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers--and is sent to a prison for violent criminals (!). He immediately gets on the wrong side of warden James… More
  A prisoner's fantasy: decorated U.S. General Robert Redford has been Court Marshalled for disobeying orders during wartime--which resulted in the deaths of eight soldiers--and is sent to a prison for violent criminals (!). He immediately gets on the wrong side of warden James Gandolfini and rallies the inmates to take control of the yard. Fairly typical genre picture with all the usual details, including the stuttering innocent whose bad treatment becomes a catalyst in the warring sides. There were many character stereotypes in this story including Aguilar, the dim bulb; Yates, the amoral prison bookie; the fallen-from-grace doctor, the big black guy, the big white guy, the big guy of uncertain ethnic descent and the token Latino guy. The prison is run strictly and without regard to military law or basic inmate legal rights. Inmates are occasionally killed by turret manning snipers who apparently have never understood that it's a crime to follow criminal orders. So what does a former lieutenant general do? He organizes the appropriately racially balanced inmates with their predictable range of personalities into an army of sorts to topple the colonel. In conclusion, I would like to state that this was boring movie I have watched..

• Jason T

  
  Robert Redford? Sign me up. Can't believe I've never reviewed this movie but I absolutely love this movie. It's made in the mold of a feel good prison tale that follows a 3 star general, Eugene Irwin (Robert Redford) who has abused his power of command and lost 8 men… More
  Robert Redford? Sign me up. Can't believe I've never reviewed this movie but I absolutely love this movie. It's made in the mold of a feel good prison tale that follows a 3 star general, Eugene Irwin (Robert Redford) who has abused his power of command and lost 8 men because of it. Due to this despite every plea of his friends and family he submits himself to the consequences of his actions and is court marshaled and incarcerated. He wants to simply serve his time to pay for his crimes and go home but he can't help but rise again to leadership after seeing how the warden, Colonel Winter, runs the facility. Call me a sucker for prison movies, or movies dealing with honour and self sacrifice for a higher cause. But this movie is just awesome in all regards, I wouldn't say its better than Shawshank in the prison movie category but its certainly a good movie. And the closing scenes are quite entertaining. Great movie if you're in the mood for this sort of thing.

• Andreia C

  
  Its good and envolving, not what the title suggests at all.

• Alec B

  
  Yeah, its so cheesy and predictable and Robert Redford's character is just "America's unbeatable spirt" that has taken human form and spews forth platitudes rather than real statements, but I think its really fun. Rod Lurie paces the film well, and James Gandolfini… More
  Yeah, its so cheesy and predictable and Robert Redford's character is just "America's unbeatable spirt" that has taken human form and spews forth platitudes rather than real statements, but I think its really fun. Rod Lurie paces the film well, and James Gandolfini is just amazing as the villian.

• Jason R

  
  The Last Castle proves that having a great cast can make up for a less than perfect script. Robert Redford has done this time and time again, with films like Spy Games, and The Last Castle which came out around the same time and were seemingly two back to back flops for Redford.… More
  The Last Castle proves that having a great cast can make up for a less than perfect script. Robert Redford has done this time and time again, with films like Spy Games, and The Last Castle which came out around the same time and were seemingly two back to back flops for Redford. However in both instances the films were overlooked and tucked away, but with DVD we have this movies and we get to see some really great performances in a film that has a few flaws as far as the script and directing is concerned, but is easily looked over due to the cast that was assembled for the film. The larger than life, Jersey born James Gandolfini holds his own and plays one of the more interesting prison wardens ever portrayed on film, and Mark Ruffalo and Clifton Collins, Jr make their names known with their performances as well. The one actor that always seems shine the most no matter who is acting with is Delroy Lindo who never quite seems to get the recognition he deserves despite being a top-notch actor, and one of my favorite character actors. So when it is all said and done.the film is not perfect. However a really strong cast pulls the film out of obscurity and makes The Last Castle, a must see.

• Marisol M

  
  A rousing prison rebellion movie than borderlines on the preposterous a couple times, but is always involving. Excellent cast.

• Lee K

  
  good movie but it was weird seeing james gandolfini playing something other then tony soprano, but all the same it was a good story

• Leo L

  
  Interesting film.

• nathometer

  
  I remember a friend of mine jumping up and screaming in the front row during this movie. He made quite a scene. I enjoyed it thought.

Read all 19 featured audience ratings