Film Review: Prison (1987)

Film Review: Prison (1987) | Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

Nothing good comes when corners are cut, even when it is done by the state in desperate need of plugging budget holes. That, among other things, serves as premise for Prison, 1987 horror film directed by Renny Harlin. The prologue is set in 1964 Creedmore Prison when inmate Charles Forysthe gets executed on electric chair for the murder of another inmate, which he didn’t actually commit. Prison is afterwards closed down, but two decades later budgets cuts, delays in building new modern prison and increased prison population force state authorities to reopen it, much to the horror of reform-minded official Katherine Walker (played by Chelsea Field). Newly appointed warden is Ethan Sharpe (played by Lane Smith), former guard who was present at Forsythe’s execution and developed reputation for toughness. Prisoners are ordered to bring dilapidated buildings back into shape and that includes professional car thief Burke (played by Viggo Mortensen) who, together with another prisoner, must break walls in order to make old execution chamber accessible. When he does so, he witnesses strange lights and other unexplained phenomena, which is beginning of many frightening and macabre events that include various inmates and guards being killed in gruesome fashion. Sharpe senses that it might have something to do with events from two decades earlier and, as the inmates come to close to riot, he desperately and unsuccessfully tries to maintain control that would make violent confrontation more likely.

Made by short-lived minor studio Empire Pictures, Prison represents rather rare genre combination of prison film and supernatural horror. It is much better as a prison film, with plot generally avoiding genre cliches and characters being realistic and fleshed out enough for audience to care about their fate when mayhem begins. Sense of realism is achieved by using locations of abandoned Wyoming State Penitentiary, made to look like a bleak and unpleasant place to live even without murderous wraiths. Producers even managed to obtain real life inmates as extras. As supernatural horror, Prison is much less successful, although some scenes, especially in the beginning are effective and some of the killings are quite inventive, with good use of make up and mechanical special effects. Near the end, when the wraith is finally revealed, the effect is quite disappointing and special effects look dated. This was Hollywood debut for Renny Harlin, Finnish director who would later become one of the biggest names of 1990s action cinema. Despite limited budget, he directs film dynamically, pace is quick and action set pieces are quite impressive. Viggo Mortensen in his first starring role is, however, strangely bland and easily overshadowed by almost any other member of the cast, especially character actor Lane Smith in the role of near-psychotic villain. Biggest problem for Prison is the script that ignores its internal logic and introduces completely unnecessary character of Katherine Walker just for the sake of having female member of the cast. Yet, fans of horror and prison films would probably appreciate Prison, a genre piece just good enough to allow both Mortensen and Harlin to later get involved in much better things.

RATING: 5/10 (++)