Brubaker Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Robert Redford goes to jail, finds it’s not a very nice place, and then gets fired for complaining about it.

🍿 Brubaker: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Undercover Inmate

Henry Brubaker, played by Robert Redford, arrives at Wakefield State Penitentiary posing as a new inmate. This allows him to witness firsthand the brutal conditions and rampant corruption within the prison system. He experiences the overcrowding, poor food, and violence that the inmates endure daily.

Revealing the Warden

After observing the dire situation, Brubaker reveals himself as the new warden to the shock of both the inmates and the corrupt prison staff. He immediately begins implementing reforms to improve the living conditions, end the abuses, and stop the illegal activities that have been ongoing.

Fighting Corruption

Brubaker faces resistance from the local business community and corrupt officials who have been profiting from the prison’s exploitative practices. He uncovers a deeper scandal: the unmarked graves of inmates who were murdered and secretly buried on prison grounds, furthering his determination to expose the truth.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford): The idealistic new warden who goes undercover as an inmate to expose corruption and reform Wakefield Prison.
• Richard ‘Dickie’ Coombes (Yaphet Kotto): A pragmatic inmate and trusty who initially doubts Brubaker’s reforms but ultimately supports him.
• Lillian Gray (Jane Alexander): The governor’s assistant who supports Brubaker’s reforms but urges him to compromise politically.
• John Deach (Murray Hamilton): The corrupt Prison Board Chairman who profits from the prison’s exploitative practices.
• Larry Lee Bullen (David Keith): A naive inmate whose life is saved by Brubaker, becoming a loyal supporter of his reforms.
• Walter (Morgan Freeman): A long-term solitary confinement inmate who serves as an early example of the prison’s detrimental conditions.
• Huey Rauch (Tim McIntire): A corrupt trusty who abuses his power and represents the deep-seated corruption within the prison system.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Henry Brubaker: “I’m here to see that you do your time, and that you do it with some measure of dignity.” – Brubaker announces his intentions to the inmates upon revealing himself as the new warden.
• Richard ‘Dickie’ Coombes: “You can’t change nothin’. This place is rotten to the core.” – Dickie expresses his cynicism about Brubaker’s efforts to reform the prison.
• Henry Brubaker: “We can’t just write these men off. They’re still human beings.” – Brubaker defends his belief in reforming the prisoners to Lillian Gray.
• Henry Brubaker: “I’m asking you to cover up multiple murders.” – Brubaker confronts the Prison Board about their request to stop investigating the buried bodies.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $9,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $37,121,708
• Worldwide Gross: $37,121,708

💥 Brubaker Reviews

Personal Review

I watched ‘Brubaker’ and was completely drawn into the story of corruption and injustice. The first scene, when Brubaker arrives at the prison, just sets the mood for the whole movie. You can see right away there’s something seriously wrong and the sense of despair is just palpable. Robert Redford’s performance is so compelling, I was rooting for him the entire time. I left feeling angry and sad, but also inspired by the fact that even though Brubaker didn’t win, he still made a difference. The ending was powerful!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Robert Redford”
  • “Those interested in social justice and prison reform movies”
  • “Viewers who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “People who enjoy true story adaptations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and physical abuse”
  • “Themes of corruption and exploitation”
  • “Brief depictions of sexual assault”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “A powerful and disturbing look at the corruption within the prison system, elevated by Redford’s strong performance and a gripping narrative. It leaves a lasting impression about the need for reform.
• Roger Ebert: “Brubaker is a well-intentioned film, but it’s also a bit too simplistic in its portrayal of good versus evil. While Redford delivers a compelling performance, the film lacks the nuance to fully explore the complex issues it raises.
• The New York Times: “While the subject matter is compelling, ‘Brubaker’ suffers from a lack of character development and a tendency towards melodrama. Despite strong performances, the film ultimately feels preachy and heavy-handed.

Audience Reactions

Robert Redford’s captivating performance and dedication to the role: Most viewers were impressed by Redford’s acting and ability to draw them into Brubaker’s fight for reform

Unflinching portrayal of prison corruption: Viewers appreciated the movie’s realistic and honest look at the realities of prison corruption.

Overall Consensus: Overall, ‘Brubaker’ is a well-regarded prison drama known for its strong performances and realistic depiction of corruption. The movie’s slow pace and simplistic approach have been criticized

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Top Ten Films)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film is based on the real-life experiences of Thomas O. Murton, who attempted to reform Arkansas prisons in the 1960s and co-authored the book “Accomplices to the Crime: The Arkansas Prison Scandal.””
• “Bob Rafelson was originally the director but was fired early in production due to a dispute with the producer.”
• “Several locations in Ohio were used for filming, including the Junction City Prison Farm, to recreate the Arkansas setting.”

🖥️ How to Watch Brubaker?

Brubaker is available for purchase or rental on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for streaming options and availability. You can often find it for rent or purchase on these digital stores. Some streaming services may include it in their subscription offerings periodically.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Brubaker, you might like these similar films:

• Cool Hand Luke (1967): A classic prison drama focusing on an individual’s struggle against an oppressive system, directed by the same director, Stuart Rosenberg.
• The Shawshank Redemption (1994): Explores themes of hope, survival, and institutional corruption within a prison setting.
• The Hurricane (1999): Another film based on a true story of a man wrongly convicted, highlighting themes of injustice and resilience within the legal system.
• American History X (1998): Delves into the harsh realities of prison life and its impact on individuals and their beliefs, albeit with a focus on different social issues.

🛒 Brubaker Related Products

• Brubaker [Blu-ray]: Experience ‘Brubaker’ in stunning high definition, with enhanced picture and sound quality. This Blu-ray edition offers an immersive viewing experience, bringing the gripping story to life with exceptional clarity and detail.
• Brubaker Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original ‘Brubaker’ movie poster. Printed on premium paper with vibrant colors, this poster is perfect for adding a touch of cinematic history to any room.
• Prison Reform Documentary Collection: A curated collection of documentaries exploring the history and ongoing challenges of prison reform. Gain deeper insights into the real-world issues that inspired ‘Brubaker’ and the efforts to create a more just and humane penal system.
• Brubaker – Limited Edition Collector’s Set: A deluxe collector’s edition including the Blu-ray, a booklet with behind-the-scenes photos and production notes, and a replica of Brubaker’s warden badge.

🎧 Soundtrack

Brubaker features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “The New Warden” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “All for the Love of Sunshine” – performed by Hank Williams Jr.

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

They thought he was just an inmate not knowing he was the new prison warden disguised.

Need a quick refresher on ‘Brubaker’ before diving in? This video summarizes the whole plot in under 5 minutes! Honestly, it hits all the key points and gets you right back into the story.

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