THE MOST WANTED MAN IN WAKEFIELD PRISON IS THE WARDEN!

New warden Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford) comes to Wakefield Prison to reform the system, only to find that there are many skeletons in the closet… Prison movies often portray the warden as part of the problem, but this one wants to change things. A typically idealistic part for Redford and it’s easy to root for him as his young rebel figure fights strong, conservative interests. Director Stuart Rosenberg’s intentions are good and the actors engaging, but there’s a certain lack of credibility and this liberal drama is never as emotionally shattering as one would hope. 

1980-U.S. 132 min. Color. Directed by Stuart Rosenberg. Screenplay: W.D. Richter. Cast: Robert Redford (Henry Brubaker), Yaphet Kotto (Richard Coombes), Jane Alexander (Lillian Gray), Murray Hamilton, David Keith, Morgan Freeman.

Trivia: Bob Rafelson was replaced after being the original choice as director.

IMDb