It stands to reason that Robert Redford -- renowned Leftist -- would only don the Uniform if it was to smear the American military. This ridiculous movie, full of liberal and movie cliches, preceded 9-11, so I guess I should cut it some slack, but R... (read more) It stands to reason that Robert Redford -- renowned Leftist -- would only don the Uniform if it was to smear the American military. This ridiculous movie, full of liberal and movie cliches, preceded 9-11, so I guess I should cut it some slack, but Redford's pedigree is not in doubt since that time. He is a perfect example of the NIMBY limo liberal, and I'll bet this script was like catnip to his ignorant and reflexive world view.

Moreover, this film partakes in the most egregious cliche of all: that every man in prison is anything but guilty. In this case, a military prison full of innocents who, in Redford's purple prose, are "still soldiers!"

No they're not. They're convicted felons: drug dealers, rapists, and murderers. And yet the very restrictions of the command system they found too onerous to obey when they WERE soldiers are now no problem whatsoever, now that they are privileged to serve under General Redford.

The only cliche more obvious is the one about the sadistic warden, who delights in oppressing these "innocents," but finally meets his match in Redford, who disobeyed an order from the President of the United States, of course to rescue men in an impossible situation in wartime. (It's always so: the hero cannot have anyone around him who is more intelligent or prescient that he is, so his disobedience is nothing more than misunderstood wisdom.)

The truth might not make as great a movie: that soldiers, for the most part, are honorable men. And when they become dishonorable (usually in very selfish and predictable ways), they must be punished by being put in the stockade. They are guilty and usually incorrigible, and the military's rank system means nothing to them. In addition, no officer would ever be placed in the general stockade population, as these "model" soldiers would rather frag an officer than get extra pudding at lunch. To believe that Redford's character could somehow inspire them to duty and even the misplaced sense of honor this film espouses is juvenile, childish claptrap.

Come to think of it, that's how I'd describe most of Redford's movies, apres "Butch Cassidy."

Instead of wasting your time on this loser, if you want to see a good military flick, I recommend "We Were Soldiers Once," an outstanding example of honor, courage, and the American soldier.

a good plot an good cast an enjoyable film

Extremely well done. Loved every minute of it.

story about how one man restored dignity to many ...redford was great

The Last Castle est un enieme film de propa... euh un film de troufions dans lequel on nous rebat les oreilles avec des notions ronflantes comme le sens du devoir et le respect au drapeau.
Malheureusement, perso : I don't give a fuck !

Rod Lurie a b... (read more) The Last Castle est un enieme film de propa... euh un film de troufions dans lequel on nous rebat les oreilles avec des notions ronflantes comme le sens du devoir et le respect au drapeau.
Malheureusement, perso : I don't give a fuck !

Rod Lurie a beau situe l'action dans un contexte carceral, personne n'est dupe: le Dernier Chateau est un film a la gloire de l'US Army.
Le message est clair, dans cette glorieuse institution meme les fautifs ont droit a une seconde chance.
C'est ce que montre l'histoire de ces detenus militaires qui se revoltent contre un directeur de penitencier brutal sous la houlette d'un general charismatique.
La premiere heure est insupportable, le scenario accumulant tous les cliches propre a l'univers carceral en particulier et aux films americains en genral: les matons sadique, le debile de service qui retrouve sa dignite (et comme par hasard c'est un fils d'immigre mexicain qui s'appelle Ramon et qui se sacrifie : no comment...),ect...

Heureusement, la classe inoxydable de Robert Redford (pourtant enervant avec ces repliques a base de "Quand je servais au Viet Nam"), le reste de la distribution (James Gandolfini et Mark Ruffalo quand meme) et les dernieres 20 minutes tres spectaculaires (si on exclus la derniere scene hallucinante de connerie) rehaussent un peu le niveau.

Je suis assez tolerant avec les messages a caractere patriotique mais dans ce film c'est caremment du racolage et la morale est assenee avec une subtilite a faire palir Michael Bay.
Au final, un film parfois divertissant mais tout a fait dispensable.

The Last Castle proves that having a great cast can make up for a less than perfect script. Robert Redford has done this time and time again, with films like Spy Games, and The Last Castle which came out around the same time and were seemingly two ba... (read more) The Last Castle proves that having a great cast can make up for a less than perfect script. Robert Redford has done this time and time again, with films like Spy Games, and The Last Castle which came out around the same time and were seemingly two back to back flops for Redford.

However in both instances the films were overlooked and tucked away, but with DVD we have this movies and we get to see some really great performances in a film that has a few flaws as far as the script and directing is concerned, but is easily looked over due to the cast that was assembled for the film.

The larger than life, Jersey born James Gandolfini holds his own and plays one of the more interesting prison wardens ever portrayed on film, and Mark Ruffalo and Clifton Collins, Jr make their names known with their performances as well. The one actor that always seems shine the most no matter who is acting with is Delroy Lindo who never quite seems to get the recognition he deserves despite being a top-notch actor, and one of my favorite character actors.

So when it is all said and done.the film is not perfect. However a really strong cast pulls the film out of obscurity and makes The Last Castle, a must see.

Not a bad movie but nothing to write home about either.