Corrections officer Brian Courtland, naive drug pusher Alan Campbell, and college professor Jonathan Page convicted of manslaughter report to prison and soon learn the truth about the prison... Read allCorrections officer Brian Courtland, naive drug pusher Alan Campbell, and college professor Jonathan Page convicted of manslaughter report to prison and soon learn the truth about the prison system. From a Truman Capote story.Corrections officer Brian Courtland, naive drug pusher Alan Campbell, and college professor Jonathan Page convicted of manslaughter report to prison and soon learn the truth about the prison system. From a Truman Capote story.
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College professor is sentenced to a maximum security prison for manslaughter. Early made-for-television prison film is well worth seeing despite familiar story line and characters. Impressive direction, cinematic quality acting, good script and not a miscast anywhere. Viewers may also enjoy "Shawshank Redemption" (1995), "Escape From Alcatraz" (1979) and "Runaway Train" (1985). (Rating: A-minus)
I wish I had the video in my library but it's very hard to find...Rented copies are suspected 'pirated' copies from tv. Very poor quality. This is Morrow's best role. Alda's best role and Gulager's best role. The most believable prison movie ever made. No heroes here just heavy reality crammed into 90 minutes on network tv! Makes "The Shawshank Redemption" look like "Mary Poppins". Kudos to Morrow (the most vile characterization ever captured on film). Think "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" without the comic relief. Too depressing to make my top 10 list but it's in the top 20.
I saw this just over 30 years ago . I didn't realise it at the time but this was a TVM produced for television . Don't let that put you off because while not being in the same league as the HBO prison drama OZ when it comes to shock tactics THE GLASS HOUSE is in is own way a very effective understated prison drama helped by a script by Truman Capote and supposedly filmed at a real prison with real inmates used as extras
The story uses the usual structure of a newbie arriving in jail and finding himself in an alien and hostile location and whose previous skills are useless in an environment where only the cruel and heartless survive . In some ways the restrictions of what can be broadcast on American network television is an advantage here because the slow burning dramatic elements are to the fore . One subplot is prison bigwig Hugo Slocum taking a sexual shine to a young new arrival and the manipulation seen mirrors that in reality . Check out No Escape - Male Rape In American Prisons by Human Right Watch . Rape in prison often isn't carried out violently with a shank but done via emotional and mental manipulation where favours and friendliness comes at a very heavy price . Understated and with a good cast THE GLASS HOUSE is from an era when America did make memorable TVM productions
The story uses the usual structure of a newbie arriving in jail and finding himself in an alien and hostile location and whose previous skills are useless in an environment where only the cruel and heartless survive . In some ways the restrictions of what can be broadcast on American network television is an advantage here because the slow burning dramatic elements are to the fore . One subplot is prison bigwig Hugo Slocum taking a sexual shine to a young new arrival and the manipulation seen mirrors that in reality . Check out No Escape - Male Rape In American Prisons by Human Right Watch . Rape in prison often isn't carried out violently with a shank but done via emotional and mental manipulation where favours and friendliness comes at a very heavy price . Understated and with a good cast THE GLASS HOUSE is from an era when America did make memorable TVM productions
This film provides a scathing indictment of the American prison system. The story and characters are fictional. But the film was shot entirely in a real-life prison. And many of the extras are actual prisoners.
The lead character is a straight-arrow college professor named Jonathon Paige (Alan Alda). He's a new arrival, and he has no intention of playing the usual prison games. The antagonist is Slocum (Vic Morrow), a veteran prisoner who, along with his buddies, runs Cell Block C, where Paige is assigned. Slocum is a bully who uses a carrot and stick approach to get what he wants. And Cell Block C is his little fiefdom.
The plot is straightforward and easy to follow. There's a lot of dialogue, which is to be expected in a setting that is so closed and claustrophobic. Most of the conflict is verbal, but some is physical. A major plot point that figures in the story's climax is introduced a little late in the story. It needed to be introduced much earlier.
Cast and acting are acceptable. Cinematography is fairly standard. In the copy I watched, images were a tad grainy and blurry. The film has rather little background music. Most of the ambient sounds are natural to the setting.
Prison movies tend to be alike, with the same general setup and depressing tone. "The Glass House" fits within that description. On the other hand, the film's theme is a bit more pronounced. The message is that prisons function off-limits to standard institutional accountability. As a result, corruption flourishes. One is left with the impression that the American prison system is an institutional racket, and the prisoners are victims of the corrupt guards and administrators. In this view, prisons are as criminal as the inmates.
The lead character is a straight-arrow college professor named Jonathon Paige (Alan Alda). He's a new arrival, and he has no intention of playing the usual prison games. The antagonist is Slocum (Vic Morrow), a veteran prisoner who, along with his buddies, runs Cell Block C, where Paige is assigned. Slocum is a bully who uses a carrot and stick approach to get what he wants. And Cell Block C is his little fiefdom.
The plot is straightforward and easy to follow. There's a lot of dialogue, which is to be expected in a setting that is so closed and claustrophobic. Most of the conflict is verbal, but some is physical. A major plot point that figures in the story's climax is introduced a little late in the story. It needed to be introduced much earlier.
Cast and acting are acceptable. Cinematography is fairly standard. In the copy I watched, images were a tad grainy and blurry. The film has rather little background music. Most of the ambient sounds are natural to the setting.
Prison movies tend to be alike, with the same general setup and depressing tone. "The Glass House" fits within that description. On the other hand, the film's theme is a bit more pronounced. The message is that prisons function off-limits to standard institutional accountability. As a result, corruption flourishes. One is left with the impression that the American prison system is an institutional racket, and the prisoners are victims of the corrupt guards and administrators. In this view, prisons are as criminal as the inmates.
For its time and up until now, this remained one of the most shocking movies to be released and what makes it even more compelling is that what you are seeing is not only true, but even watered down a little. If you know nothing about prison, this is one of the few movies out there that really tells it like it is. What people do not realize when they go into prison that the existing powers at work do not operate independently but collaterally. It is one big game designed to get you or your money. Killing you doesn't profit anyone, but using you does and this movie portrays those stark realities. Most men who frequent prison believe they can take care of themselves and for the most part it is true. However, they also find out that they may be up against groups of people and when attacked makes it very hard to defend ones self. Thus the drama and suspense that builds up in this movie and then explodes in your face. How can you fight everyone? Fear will visit you if you even entertain for a moment...what would I do in those circumstances...Very chilling and sobering thought and a great movie to show certain kids as a deterrent. Recommend finger foods to fight off the urge to bite your nails. Easy on the caffeine and sugar as you will already be fidgeting pretty much...Oh and enjoy your self
Did you know
- TriviaAlan Alda on his autobiography "Never Have Your Dog Stuffed - and Other Things I've Learned" claims that this movie was shot in real prison with real prisoners as extras. During the filming of the movie, its director Tom Gries made jokes with prisoners that they should take Alan Alda as their hostage because that is the only way they can escape from prison. On the last day of shooting, two prisoners approached Alda and put an improvised knife on his throat telling him that he is their hostage. Luckily prison guard arrived shortly after and carefully negotiated with prisoners to let Alan Alda go. They let him loose telling him that they were just joking. Alda also states that no prisoner was punished for the incident.
- GoofsThe word 'fictitious' is misspelled as 'ficticious' during the opening disclaimer.
- Crazy credits[prologue] "This motion picture was filmed entirely in a state prison. Most of the faces and voices are those of actual prisoners. The story and characters are fictitious, but the situations are real".
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 24th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1972)
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