Fortress Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

In the future, having too many kids gets you a free tummy ache courtesy of exploding prison chips, but one dad just REALLY wants that second kid.

🍿 Fortress: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Dystopian Future

In the year 2017, overpopulation has led to strict one-child policies. John Henry Brennick and his pregnant wife, Karen, attempt to flee to Mexico after their first child dies, but are apprehended at the border. This sets the stage for their imprisonment in the Fortress.

Inside the Fortress

John is sentenced to 31 years in a high-tech underground prison run by the MenTel Corporation. Inmates are implanted with ‘Intestinators,’ devices that cause excruciating pain and can be detonated if they try to escape. The prison is monitored by Zed-10, an AI, and overseen by the sadistic Prison Director Poe.

Planning an Escape

Life inside the Fortress is brutal, with constant surveillance and harsh punishments. John befriends several inmates, including D-Day, a computer expert, and Abraham, a wise trustee. Together, they begin to formulate a plan to escape the seemingly inescapable prison.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Henry Brennick (Christopher Lambert): A former Black Beret Captain, John is imprisoned for attempting to have a second child and fights to escape the high-tech Fortress prison.
• Karen B. Brennick (Loryn Locklin): John’s pregnant wife, Karen is also imprisoned and becomes a pawn in the power dynamics of the Fortress, ultimately aiding in the escape.
• Prison Director Poe (Kurtwood Smith): The sadistic and manipulative cyborg director of the Fortress, Poe abuses his power and develops an obsession with Karen.
• D-Day (Jeffrey Combs): A skilled machine and demolitions expert, D-Day uses his knowledge to disable the prison’s security systems and aid in the escape.
• Abraham (Lincoln Kilpatrick): A wise and trusted inmate, Abraham provides guidance and assistance to John, ultimately sacrificing himself for the escape.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• D-Day: “It’s like TNT on PMS.” – D-Day says this while explaining the volatile and unpredictable nature of the Intestinator device implanted in the prisoners.
• Prison Director Poe: “Unauthorized thought process detected.” – Poe interrupts John’s intimate moment with Karen while she is in his quarters using the mind-control technology to stop him.
• Abraham: “There’s always a way out.” – Said to Brennick, offering hope and encouragement amid the seemingly inescapable prison.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $8,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $6,739,141
• Worldwide Gross: $6,739,141

💥 Fortress Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, Fortress isn’t high art, but it’s pure 90s sci-fi cheese, and I love it. The idea of exploding intestines as a prison deterrent is both horrifying and hilarious. The effects might be dated now, but they were pretty gnarly back in the day. Seeing Lambert and Kurtwood Smith go at it was worth the price of admission. It’s a total guilty pleasure.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s science fiction action movies”
  • “Viewers interested in dystopian prison escape stories”
  • “Christopher Lambert fans”
  • “Those who enjoy B-movies with practical effects”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence, including exploding bodies”
  • “Brief nudity”
  • “Implied sexual assault”
  • “Themes of oppression and totalitarianism”

Professional Reviews

• Sci-Fi Movie Monthly: “Fortress delivers a pulpy, dystopian prison escape with a dash of body horror. While the plot is predictable and the acting uneven, the imaginative prison setting and practical effects make it a worthwhile watch for genre fans. Kurtwood Smith steals the show as the unsettling Warden Poe.
• Cult Cinema Corner: “Stuart Gordon’s Fortress is a B-movie gem, filled with over-the-top violence and a darkly comedic tone. Christopher Lambert is serviceable, but it’s the supporting cast, including Jeffrey Combs and Vernon Wells, who truly elevate the film. A fun, if not entirely original, sci-fi prison flick.
• Action Movie Aficionado: “Fortress delivers plenty of action in its high-concept low budget sci-fi adventure. Christopher Lambert stars as John Brennick, and although there are some interesting ideas, the overall plot is somewhat flawed. However, the inventive methods in place to stop the prisoners escaping are constantly kept at the forefront of the audience’s mind.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved the over-the-top violence and inventive prison setting.: The film’s creative practical effects and Kurtwood Smith’s performance were frequently praised.

Some viewers found Christopher Lambert’s performance lacking, but still enjoyed the overall experience.: Many considered it a fun, if flawed, B-movie with plenty of action.

Overall Consensus: Fortress is a fun, if flawed, B-movie with plenty of action, inventive prison setting and Kurtwood Smith’s stand out performance as Warden Poe

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Arnold Schwarzenegger was originally slated to star as John Brennick, and he was the one who recommended Stuart Gordon as director after being impressed by Gordon’s work on ‘Re-Animator’.”
• “The film was shot entirely in Queensland, Australia, taking advantage of the diverse landscapes and studio facilities available there.”
• “The concept of the ‘Intestinator’—the explosive device implanted in prisoners—was a key element in establishing the high-tech and brutal nature of the Fortress prison.”

🖥️ How to Watch Fortress?

Fortress can be found for purchase or rental on various digital platforms. Check options like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Physical copies, including Blu-ray and DVD, are also available through online retailers like Amazon and at local stores that sell movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Escape from Alcatraz (1979): A classic prison escape movie focused on meticulous planning and execution against seemingly impossible odds.
• Lockout (2012): Shares the theme of escaping an inescapable high-tech prison in a futuristic setting.
• Cube (1997): Features a group of people trapped in a deadly, inescapable structure, relying on their wits to survive, mirroring the Fortress’s claustrophobic environment and survival theme.
• Death Race 2000 (1975): The dystopian future and themes of government control.

🛒 Fortress Related Products

• Fortress (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A limited edition Blu-ray of Fortress, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes content and interviews with the cast and crew, perfect for die-hard fans.
• Fortress: The Intestinator Action Figure: A highly detailed action figure of a Fortress prisoner complete with an ‘Intestinator’ accessory, a gruesome reminder of the film’s unique brand of punishment. This figure also comes with a miniature Zed-10 computer.
• Fortress Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original Fortress movie poster, perfect for decorating any sci-fi fan’s room. This poster is printed on archival paper to ensure long-lasting vibrancy.
• Fortress-Inspired T-Shirt: ‘Property of MenTel’: A t-shirt featuring the ‘Property of MenTel’ logo from the movie, a subtle nod to the film’s dystopian themes. Available in various sizes and colors.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “DIE KUNST DER FUGE BWV 1080 Contrapunctus 3&11 a 4” – performed by Johann Sebastian Bach, Performed by Bell’Arte Ensemble

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Toughest Prison In The World, The Inmates Are Controlled By An Implanted Device In The Abdomen

Ever wondered what Fortress was all about but don’t have time to watch the whole thing? This video gives you a complete breakdown. It’s surprisingly detailed and covers all the major plot points.

✨ Rate