Shakespeare Behind Bars

Name: Shakespeare Behind Bars
Genre: Documentary
Released: March 10, 2006
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 74

2006

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

International Film Circuit | Release Date: March 10, 2006

Summary: Shakespeare Behind Bars is an unexpectedly delightful documentary that follows the casting, rehearsal, and presentation of Shakespeare's play, The Tempest, by convicted felons inside Kentucky's Luther Luckett Correctional Complex. (International Film Circuit)

Director: Hank Rogerson

Genre(s): Documentary

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

100

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

100

M. E. Russell

By presenting murderers as actors and then filming those actors discussing their sins, the line between performance and soul-searching blurs in unnerving ways. Read full review

Michael Wilmington

The power of art to redeem the pain and cruelty of life is demonstrated to enormous effect inShakespeare Behind Bars. Read full review

Jeannette Catsoulis

The filmmakers, Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller, encourage us to marvel at the transformative power of art. In Shakespeare Behind Bars, the most restricted people in society find freedom in performance and release in words. Read full review

Jeremy Mathews

Rogerson has crafted an emotionally satisfying exploration of the creative process through people who, before the program started, weren't comfortable with expressing themselves at all. Read full review

Matt Singer

Rogerson's structure is ingenious: He dilutes our initial skepticism by showcasing the prisoners' thoughtfulness and intelligence, and as soon as we've come to care for the men he shocks us with the details of their crimes. Read full review

Joe Leydon

There's no denying the pic's overall impact as a compelling study of art as a source of transcendence. And it will come as no surprise if this well-crafted doc eventually serves as source material for a dramatic feature. Read full review

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User Reviews

Timmy

Aug 22, 2006

Shakespeare himself couldn't have written better or more complex characters, and far from strange, by the end of this extraordinary film you couldn't imagine Shakespeare performed anywhere else. By presenting murderers as actors and then filming those actors discussing their sins, Shakespeare himself couldn't have written better or more complex characters, and far from strange, by the end of this extraordinary film you couldn't imagine Shakespeare performed anywhere else. By presenting murderers as actors and then filming those actors discussing their sins, the line between performance and soul-searching blurs in unnerving ways. This unusual journey behind prison bars is not only a plea for the rehabilitation of incarcerated criminals, but a testament to the redemptive powers of art.… Expand

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[Anonymous]

Aug 22, 2006

The mere fact that Shakespeare can teach hardened criminals to search their souls gives hope that forgiveness and redemption are possible.

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JimG.

Jul 21, 2006

Interesting documentary demonstrating both the power and limits of creative expression.

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