Itao Itsuji no datsugoku-ô

Although probably otherwise conceived, the first association you'll have with this film is that of The Shawshank Redemption. Nevertheless this isn't just a remake or (worse still) cheap copy of that great piece of cinema. The story develops around Masayuki Suzuki, a small criminal who turns out to be a real escape artist. However he gets caught along the railway time after time, being sentenced to longer terms and send to heavier guarded prisons again and again.

Only his warden sees through this, wondering why somebody so capable of escape is being caught that easily. Even after he's being promoted and starts working for the Ministry of Justice his interest for Suzuki stays. When surveying prisons because of the outbreaks he sees him again on the Prison Island, from where nobody has yet escaped. Will he try once more, or are there other motives to him for being there?

This movie depicts a grim picture of life in prison, with cruel guards beating inmates over everything. You'll feel sympathy for Suzuki because of it, even when his behavior seems stupid enough. However when his real goal is revealed, you really want him to succeed - and will pity him when it fails. A film that is able of doing this deserves praise, but don't expect to go home happy.