Impressed with Robert Redford from “Spy Game”, I was determined to watch “The Last Castle” to see if he could deliver similar performance.
After the first few seconds of watching, I was a bit worried that this movie might be about another “high security prison” with intelligent schemes of escaping from inmates...
Observing the smooth talking but merciless warden Col Winter (James Gandolfini) bragged about his extensively collection of war artifacts, and the innocent comment made by the newly arrival to the maximum security military prison, (General Irwin (Robert Redford), to another lowly staff there), that 'people who had real experience of war and combat, don't collect war artifacts', I could begin to see the shimmering of resentment from the petty and 'full of pride' warden.
(Why General Irwin was court martialled? It was a result of a miscalculation on his part, which resulted in the lost of 8 of his troups).
Famous for his bravery, as well as in combat tactics, at the same time, well loved by all those who used to fight under his guidance, General Irwin made a real stir in that military prison with his presence, even though he was there to serve his term as a common millitary prisoner.
While most of the inmates tried to convince Irwin to fight the cruelty warden on their behalf (using his extensive and impressive connection to the high rank US millitary officers), the warden on the other hand, tried to intimidate Irwin, since he did not like losing his absolute power over anyone.
A series of events happened, which inadvertently forced Irwin's hand. He had no choice, but to protect the powerless inmates from the ruthlessness and illegal killing/punishment which warden Col Winter continued to enforced over them.
It was fascinating, following the combat of will between the two powerful men, one with real power to crush (who was full of love for himself only), the other with intelligent combat tactics and the respect of all the 1200 inmates present.
Mark Ruffallo gave a wonderful performance in this movie (you have to watch in order to understand what I meant). Robert Redford was terrific as usual, while James Gandolfini was marverlous in his role as a shallow, cold, ruthless, 'always greedy for power' warden.
It was very touching, seeing how loyalty, honor, dignity, etc, were maintained among the “court martialled” soldiers in that millitary prison. The ending almost made me cried. At the same time, I felt very happy, because it proved that goodness would always win at the end, however bad the situations were...
A relief that it was only a movie, and that Robert Redford did not really “gone” for real at the end!
