Movies About Bars

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a successful banker, sentenced to life in Shawshank prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. In prison, he quickly makes friends with the prison contraband smuggler, Ellis "Red" Redding, and finds himself under the watch of an oppressive warden. Despite his confinement, Andy does not lose hope and uses his financial skills to help his fellow prisoners. Over the years, he also manages to get special privileges from the warden, eventually leading to his escape from Shawshank after nearly 20 years. The film follows Andy's journey to freedom and his efforts to reunite with his friend Red. It is a story of hope, redemption, and friendship, and shows the power of the human spirit to overcome incredible odds.

From Tony Kaye, starring Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien
Rated R

American History X is an American drama film directed by Tony Kaye and written by David McKenna. It stars Edward Norton, Edward Furlong and Beverly D'Angelo. The story follows Derek Vinyard (Norton), a former neo-Nazi skinhead, and his younger brother Danny (Furlong). After Derek is sent to prison for killing two black men who were trying to steal his car, he begins to reconsider his violent lifestyle and takes it upon himself to prevent Danny from following in his footsteps. Taking place over the course of three years, the film explores themes of racism, white supremacy, and reforming criminals. At the same time, it is also a story about the power of love and family. The film is critically acclaimed and won the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor (Norton). It is now considered to be a classic and has been praised for its cinematography and for its well-developed characters.

From Ava DuVernay, starring Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales
Rated TV-MA

13th is an American documentary film directed by Ava DuVernay and co-written by DuVernay and Spencer Averick. The film examines the history of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the fact that the nation's prisons are disproportionately filled with African-Americans. The title of the film refers to the 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which reads, "Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States." The film examines how this amendment has been interpreted over time and how it has led to an increase in the mass incarceration of African-Americans. The film features interviews with a variety of experts on criminal justice, including politicians, activists, and academics, who discuss the history of systemic racism in the United States and the current state of the criminal justice system.

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon
Rated GP

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman. The film tells the story of Lucas "Luke" Jackson (Newman), a non-conformist prisoner in a Florida prison camp who refuses to conform to the prison system. Despite the warden and his cronies attempts to break his spirit, Luke persists in his struggle against the authorities. As he earns the respect of his fellow prisoners, Luke forms a bond with the warden, who begins to admire his tenacity and courage. In the end, Luke is able to gain his freedom, but is killed in a car accident shortly after. Throughout the film, the characters learn valuable lessons about the importance of accepting one's fate while still standing up for one's beliefs.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon
Rated R

Papillon is a 1973 adventure crime drama film based on the 1969 autobiographical book by the same name. It stars Steve McQueen as Henri "Papillon" Charrière, a convict who is wrongly convicted of murder in the 1930s and sent to a French penal colony in Guiana from which he plans to escape. He meets Louis Dega (Dustin Hoffman), a counterfeiter who provides financial help in exchange for protection. With the help of others, Papillon manages to escape the prison several times, only to be recaptured and put in solitary confinement. After a daring prison break, he and Dega finally make it out of the prison and set sail for freedom in South America. Throughout the movie, Papillon's courage and determination to survive against all odds are tested, showing the audience the true power of the human spirit.

From Eugene Jarecki, starring Eugene Jarecki, David Simon, Shanequa Benitez, William Julius Wilson
Rated Not Rated

The House I Live In is a documentary about the War on Drugs and its damaging effects on the American society. Through interviews with people on both sides of the issue, the film examines the history and current state of the war on drugs, as well as its devastating impact on communities across the country. The film offers an in-depth look at the root causes of mass incarceration in the United States, including poverty and racial disparities in policing. It also investigates the complex political and economic dynamics that have perpetuated the drug war, and highlights the stories of people who have been affected by it. Ultimately, the film calls for a major shift in how we address the issue of drug use in the United States.

From John Frankenheimer, starring Burt Lancaster, Karl Malden, Thelma Ritter, Neville Brand
Rated Not Rated

Birdman of Alcatraz is a 1962 biographical drama directed by John Frankenheimer and starring Burt Lancaster. The film is based on the true story of Robert Stroud, a career criminal sent to the infamous Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary in 1909. While in prison, Stroud discovers a passion for ornithology and begins to care for and study birds. His newfound hobby eventually leads him to a life of peacefulness and redemption. The film follows Stroud's journey as he struggles to maintain his newfound dignity in the face of the harsh and oppressive conditions of the prison. Ultimately, his spirit and determination to improve his own life and the lives of those around him prove triumphant.

From Jacques Audiard, starring Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb
Rated R

A Prophet (2009) is a French crime-drama directed by Jacques Audiard. The film stars Tahar Rahim as Malik El Djebena, a 19-year-old French-Algerian man who is sent to prison for six years for assaulting a police officer. As a result of his inexperience, he is taken under the wing of Corsican mob boss César Luciani (Niels Arestrup). Malik learns the ways of organized crime as he slowly rises through the ranks of the prison hierarchy and establishes his own power base. His newfound influence causes tensions between Luciani and his rivals, and Malik finds himself in the middle of a deadly power struggle. Ultimately, he must find a way to survive the violence, in the process learning the importance of loyalty, respect and the consequences of betrayal.

From Jim Jarmusch, starring Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi
Rated R

Down by Law is a 1986 black-and-white road movie directed by Jim Jarmusch. The film follows the unlikely friendship of three different men, Jack (Tom Waits), Zack (John Lurie), and Roberto (Roberto Benigni), who are arrested and thrown into a New Orleans jail together. In order to escape, they must rely on each other and their wits to survive. Throughout their journey, they learn that despite their differences, friendship and hope can bring them together. The film is filled with humor and music as the trio faces poverty and a host of other obstacles in their quest for freedom.

From Don Siegel, starring Clint Eastwood, Patrick McGoohan, Roberts Blossom, Jack Thibeau
Rated PG

Escape from Alcatraz is a 1979 American prison film directed by Don Siegel and starring Clint Eastwood, Jack Thibeau, and Fred Ward. It is based on the 1963 non-fiction book Escape from Alcatraz by J. Campbell Bruce. The film depicts the 1962 Alcatraz escape attempt by three inmates, Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin. The three inmates managed to escape the maximum security island prison by creating a makeshift raft out of raincoats. The warden, played by Patrick McGoohan, and the FBI attempt to track down the inmates by piecing together clues in order to prevent a similar escape attempt from occurring in the future. In the end, the three inmates are never found and the true story of their escape remains a mystery.

From Jules Dassin, starring Burt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles Bickford, Yvonne De Carlo
Rated Passed

Brute Force is a 1947 American film noir crime drama directed by Jules Dassin. Starring Burt Lancaster, Hume Cronyn, Charles Bickford, and Yvonne De Carlo, the film follows a group of prison inmates who plan an elaborate escape from a maximum security prison, only to discover that there is more to the outside world than they expected. As the inmates struggle both within and outside the prison walls, they must confront their own inner demons, as well as the harsh realities of postwar life. With a complex, multi-layered story and powerful performances, Brute Force is considered one of the greatest films of the genre.

From Hector Babenco, starring Enrique Diaz, Wagner Moura, Caio Blat, Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos
Rated R

Carandiru tells the true story of the notorious Carandiru prison in São Paulo, Brazil. It focuses on the life of Dr. Drauzio Varella (Luiz Carlos Vasconcelos), a doctor who visits the prison and works to improve the terrible conditions of the inmates. Through his interactions with the inmates, we learn of their struggles, dreams, and hopes. The movie follows their daily lives in the prison and how they are affected by the overcrowding, brutality, and loss of hope. In the end, a tragic event leads to the closure of the prison. In the aftermath, Dr. Varella expresses his hope that the walls of Carandiru are just the beginning of a new era of justice, equality, and human rights.

From Alan Parker, starring Brad Davis, Irene Miracle, Bo Hopkins, Paolo Bonacelli
Rated R

Midnight Express is an American prison drama film directed by Alan Parker. The film stars Brad Davis and features a strong supporting cast including John Hurt, Randy Quaid, Norbert Weisser, and Paul Smith. It is based on Billy Hayes’ real-life experience of being sentenced to four years in a Turkish prison for attempting to smuggle hashish out of the country. The film follows Billy Hayes, an American man who is caught attempting to smuggle hashish out of Turkey. In the film, Billy Hayes experiences harsh treatment in the Turkish prison, including physical and psychological abuse. As he adjusts to his new life, he meets a fellow inmate, Max, and together they try to find ways to escape from prison. Through his experiences, Billy develops strength and courage and learns to survive in the prison. In the end, Billy manages to escape from prison and makes his way back to America.

From Steve McQueen, starring Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw, Brian Milligan, Liam McMahon
Rated Not Rated

Hunger is a 2008 British-Irish drama film directed by Steve McQueen, about the 1981 Irish hunger strike, focusing on the life of IRA member Bobby Sands. The film follows Sands' (Michael Fassbender) journey from his initial decision to partake in the hunger strike, to his various interactions with the prison guards, his Catholic priest, and his family. In the end, Sands' decision and the fight for political rights attracts worldwide attention and brings the Northern Irish Troubles to the forefront of public consciousness. The film also features Stuart Graham as prison guard Raymond Lohan, Liam Cunningham as Father Moran, and Brian Milligan as Davey Gillen.

From David Mackenzie, starring Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend, Sam Spruell
Rated Not Rated

From Hector Babenco, starring William Hurt, Raul Julia, Sonia Braga, José Lewgoy
Rated R

From Directors: Paolo Taviani, Vittorio Taviani, starring Cosimo Rega, Salvatore Striano, Giovanni Arcuri, Antonio Frasca
Rated Unrated

From S. Craig Zahler, starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Udo Kier
Rated Not Rated

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Robert Redford, Yaphet Kotto, Morgan Freeman, Jane Alexander
Rated R

From Directors: Tobias Lindholm, Michael Noer, starring Pilou Asbæk, Dulfi Al-Jabouri, Roland Møller, Jacob Gredsted
Rated Unrated

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews, Katy Barker
Rated R

From Pablo Trapero, starring Martina Gusman, Guadalupe Rébora, Francisco Marquez, Roberto Maciel
Rated Not Rated

From Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, starring Joe Cole, Cherry Miko, Vithaya Pansringarm, Panya Yimmumphai
Rated R

From Leon Ichaso, starring Benjamin Bratt, Giancarlo Esposito, Talisa Soto, Nelson Vasquez
Rated R