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The Last Castle
By Stefan Pape,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Prison action drama has language, violence, smoking.
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The Last Castle
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What's the Story?
THE LAST CASTLE tells the story of General Irwin (Robert Redford), a decorated war hero who is court-martialed and subsequently incarcerated. He is sent to "The Castle," a maximum security prison under the guidance of Colonel Winter (James Gandolfini). As the latter sanctions the murders of inmates, Irwin realizes he must incite an uprising among his fellow prisoners to oppose Winter's tyrannical rule.
Is It Any Good?
A movie that deals with somewhat conventional cinematic territory, this 2001 prison action drama is elevated by the sheer brilliance of the cast assembled. The Last Castle is a familiar story, ticking off the checklist expected from this genre. But it becomes something far greater than the screenplay deserved, thanks to, among others, Redford, Gandolfini, and a young Mark Ruffalo. Gandolfini in particular steals the show, as the late actor uses his remarkable ability to evoke empathy from the viewer, despite playing the most reprehensible of characters. You somehow find yourself feeling sorry for his sadistic warden, as the actor brings so much nuance to the character.
The film lets itself down somewhat with an overly dramatic final act, perhaps veering a little from realism in the process, and with a jarring sense of patriotism, including cliched footage of the U.S. flag blowing in the wind. But take that away and the story and performances do enough to ensure it remains an agreeable way to spend your time.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence and fighting in The Last Castle. How did the movie present these things? How did they make you feel? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
Discuss some of the language used. Did it seem necessary or excessive? What did it contribute to the movie?
How did the film look at the prison system and the idea of rehabilitation? Do you think everyone deserves a second chance in life? What is the purpose of prison?
Discuss how the movie portrayed the prisoners as the heroes and the guards as the villains. Did this role reversal feel strange or did it work for you? Would you describe any of the characters -- prisoners or guards -- as role models? If so, why?
Plenty of the characters are seen smoking in the movie. Why do you think the filmmakers included this in the movie?
Movie Details
- In theaters: October 19, 2001
- On DVD or streaming: March 5, 2002
- Cast: Robert Redford , James Gandolfini , Mark Ruffalo
- Director: Rod Lurie
- Studio: Dreamworks Pictures
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Character Strengths: Courage , Teamwork
- Run time: 131 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- MPAA explanation: language and violence
- Last updated: June 20, 2023
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