merklekranz As prison movies go, "Prison" easily rises above expectations. Competent acting by Lane Smith, Viggo Mortensen, and a cast of prison stereotypical character actors carries the movie into above average territory. The abandoned Wyoming prison where it was filmed is interesting, and lends authenticity. Although the horror prison aspect has been done more recently, there is a certain quality to "Prison" that has not been replicated. I'm not sure what it is, but the combination of likable characters that have some development fighting an unleashed spirit is depicted quite well, in the tradition of great films like "The Keep". - MERK

Scarecrow-88 Hey man, this is where the bottom of the whole damn world drops out.Wyoming State Penitentery has been shut down for some time and is in dire need of repairs for it is to house a whole lot of prisoners. Hard-as-nails, pain-in-the-ass warden, Eaton Sharpe(Lane Smith) is still haunted by nightmares regarding an inmate put to death, via electric chair. In an attempt to soothe his guilty conscience(his role in the execution of an innocent man), Sharpe wishes to place a crucifix where the execution took place, having two prisoners break down a cemented door which led to the electric chair. In doing this, Sharpe contributes to the release of Forsythe's vengeful spirit. No one is safe from Forsythe's wrath. Chelsea Field is Katherine Walker, one of those prison reformers who fights for better institutions and rehabilitation for convicts. Katherine will have her hands full with Eaton who doesn't adhere to her philosophy in better living conditions for those who have broken the law. Viggo Mortensen, in one of his first starring roles, is Burke, a car thief who shares an eerie resemblance with Forsythe which sends chills to Sharpe. Lincoln Kilpatrick is elderly con Cresus, whose past history regarding Forsythe torments him, he had a role in the execution as well. Tom Everett has a memorable small part as a prisoner who tries to drive a bus out of the prison after most of the cons had unloaded, later suffering a grisly fate when he attempts a second escape (he narrowly survives a harrowing ordeal while locked in solitary as Forsythe's spirit set the water-logged cells a blaze with fervent heat). Ivan Kane is an Italian nicknamed Lasagna who befriends Burke, Tommy "Tiny" Lister is a seemingly mellow(but very scary)mountain of muscle actually named Tiny, and Stephen E Little is especially detestable as a rotund, scraggly homo brute, Rhino(he orders around a young man, a sort of lackey who probably services his sexual needs as well since they share a cell together).I can't really argue against those who would call PRISON essentially a special effects & light show, it is pretty much all style and little substance. But, I still thought it delivered for the crowd who enjoys movies about prisons containing evil presences. I can certainly see why director Renny Harlin landed the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET IV gig because there are some wild and effective supernatural murder sequences such as the "killer barbwire" scene and the exploding prison doors off their hinges, not to mention the computer monitors which eviscerate right before our eyes. Around this time, many filmmakers were using light as an effects tool and in PRISON we see electrical current controlling objects to destroy it's victims. This idea derives from the fact that the killer was executed in the electric chair..it's only natural that the condemned spirit would use this very power which ended his life to decimate others. And, anyone, including prisoners, who try to flee the penitentiary are denied thanks in part of a guard tower machine gun operated by the aforementioned electrical current. I loved the 80's because of the use of blood squibs and PRISON has plenty of moments where bullets blast through bodies, allowing make-up wizards a chance to show the damage of a shot gun or pistol. Probably the corniest scene involves Forsythe himself, making his grand appearance as Sharpe is trying to drive out of the penitentiary. There's a dandy of make-up effect regarding a prisoner being burned alive and the light optical effects are stunning visually. While the film spends a great deal of time with the prisoners and Sharpe(and his guards), Field's part is a bit underwritten in that she witnesses strange goings-on, but factors little in the grand scheme of things other than driving her car to the prison(and researching the history of Forsythe's execution, more than a bit motivated by his tricks to gain her attention )at the very end.

Kyle Iluvdvds Prisons are not exactly renowned for their kind hospitality and 'happy vibes', what with stories of fights, chaos, murder and of course extreme male bonding! But the prison in this film is a different beast altogether. Horror films set in cells are, as you probably know, nothing particularly new as they emphasis and exaggerate the fear of claustrophobia and the inability of escape – two of the greatest themes in horror cinema. With such examples as THE CHAIR (Waldermar Korzeniowsky, 1988), THE GREEN MILE (Frank Darabont, 1999), ALIEN 3 (David Fincher, 1992)and of course the entire Women In Prison exploitation genre itself, another entry into this niche has to be something inventive and a lot of fun to boot in order to be recognised. Or at least that's what you'd have thought. PRISON is certainly an incredibly fun and enjoyable ride and it's somewhat of a shame that it isn't as well known as it should be.The film, in short, centres on an old prison (well, duh!) which has been reopened. However, it's not just fellow inmates and guards the prisoners have to fear, but also a mean ass demon ghost spirit with only one thing on its mind; death! And boy, are we treated to some awesome death scenes! I won't spoil anything here for you but there are plenty of innovative and enjoyable murders all done by invisible hands.Besides the special effects and the murders, this film also has another thing going for it; it's cast. Headlining, we have LORD OF THE RINGS (Peter Jackson, 2001-2003) star Viggo Mortensen (and for all those so inclined, yes, he does get naked) whose performance is not only highly believable, but is done with such skill that his Eastwood-esquire character is both bad-to-the-bone and likable (a very delicate mix). Add him to a cast of 'hey-wait-a-minute-I-know-that-guy' actors and you've got yourself one great set of stars. The characters themselves however lack three-dimensionality and more often than not come across as very stereotypical. We've got a black oculist, a hard-as-nails prison warden, a human-rights activist woman and plenty of other stock characters. But in all honesty, this 'fault' actually aids the film. Instead of boring character development in an over-long equilibrium, we are chucked, more or less, straight into the action and once it gets going (very early on) there's not a single scene that's a filler – it's balls to the wall plot. Unlike a certain SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (Frank Darabont, 1994 )! Sharing conventions with the slasher genre, this is somewhat of a convention itself, and, in good ol' slasher genre tradition, PRISON punishes those who have been bad.All in all this is an excellent little horror film and one which is sadly overlooked and unmentioned among the horror world. With an excellent cast and great special effects and rather original death scenes this film is highly recommended to horror fans. Don't be fooled into thinking it'll be a cheesy little film either, just because it was made in USA 1980s, it's far from cheesy (although the very end does ruin this) and, simultaneously, far from gritty and realistic (whilst it attempts to tackle issues such as prison rape, these are rather subtly done).I give it 3.5 out of 5 luvs. A very entertaining horror film with some very nice touches indeed.

ssrtip12 In 1988 I was 12 years old when this movie was made in my hometown of Rawlins, WY. It is hard to find to watch, so seeing it here on this site with info is pretty cool. I don't remember much about the movie except for the creepy scene in the motel room. They made the prison dark and dreary, not like the ones today. All I can say is this movie is pretty okay, just because it is a movie doesn't mean people should not visit the real place. I do find it interesting that some of the stars have risen to stardom, not from this movie but for other roles. So if you can find a copy of this movie, I think you are very lucky. I've never seen it on T.V. or even on SCIFI. If you like horror, and gore then this movie is for you!