The Last Castle

Name: The Last Castle
Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller
Released: October 19, 2001
Duration: 131 min
Rating: 43
Cast: James Gandolfini, Robert Redford

2001

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 32 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 42 Ratings

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The Last Castle

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Movie Details & Credits

DreamWorks Distribution | Release Date: October 19, 2001 | R

Starring: James Gandolfini, Robert Redford

Summary: The Castle -- the unlikely last stop in the brilliant career of three-star General Irwin (Redford). Court-martialed and stripped of his rank, Irwin has been sentenced to the maximum-security military prison, which is run with an iron fist by its warden, Colonel Winter (Gandolfini).

Director: Rod Lurie

Genre(s): Action, Drama, Thriller

Rating: R

Runtime: 131 min

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Foreman

It's an even rarer pleasure to see a film that combines exciting action with a smart, well-informed script and vivid yet restrained performances. Read full review

William Arnold

Like Lurie's previous two films, it's also simplistic and somewhat muddled. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

If this melodrama has that haven't-we-met-before look, it's because it combines elements of "The Caine Mutiny" (Gandolfini's Winter is Queeg-like) with those of "Stalag 17." Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

This is an odd and ultimately dispiriting film, despite some intriguing ideas about brute force vs. moral authority, the elaborately staged uprising -- and impressive actors in the cast. That is to say, they've been impressive elsewhere.

Michael Dequina

All crass in its empty bluster and bogus uplift. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's a mishmash of "The Bridge on the River Kwai," "From Here to Eternity" and "The Great Escape," with everything complex and entertaining siphoned off. Read full review

Michael Atkinson

Bizarre, confused, sanctimonious manure that makes Lurie's own "The Contender" look responsible by comparison. Read full review

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User Reviews

SamJ.

Jan 24, 2007

Easily one of the most underated movies of all time. An action packed, dramatic story, and great performances. It should and probably will be a classic.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

alejandro970

Feb 4, 2017

Prison drama with no waste supported by strong cast. Maybe not strong as The Shawshank redemption but has enough to kill 2 hours 11 minutes without pain. Good choice for a weekend.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Compi24

Aug 15, 2016

Anchored by two powerhouse lead performances and an undeniably intriguing premise, Rod Lurie's "The Last Castle" ultimately shoots past its narrative implausibility and thematic repetitiveness to deliver an overwhelmingly entertaining film. Because, let's be honest, we all watched this movieAnchored by two powerhouse lead performances and an undeniably intriguing premise, Rod Lurie's "The Last Castle" ultimately shoots past its narrative implausibility and thematic repetitiveness to deliver an overwhelmingly entertaining film. Because, let's be honest, we all watched this movie for one reason and one reason only - to see Tony Soprano and the Sundance Kid play one mean game of toy soldiers in the prison yard. And that's what I got. Color me pleased.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Sosmooth1982

Jan 2, 2023

Decent movie. Kind of old school where prison guards mistreat thier prisoners. The prisoners devise a plan to take it over.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

geewah

Jan 14, 2021

What a load of predictable, uninspiring dross this is. Gandolfini tries his best with this dull script, but Redford has phoned his performance in.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Gamzguy17

Sep 6, 2021

Drowning in a sea of clichés and implausibilities, "The Last Castle" is a colossal comical mess of Hollywood production work that is trite and predictable in every step of the way. It can actually get borderline disrespectful at times with its scenes of character incompetencies.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Broyax

May 9, 2023

Un général 3 étoiles fait le mariole dans une prison militaire ou disons un ex-général 3 étoiles puisqu’il a écopé d’une peine de 10 piges pour on ne sait trop quelle raison mais apparemment des gens sont morts par sa faute…

Et v’là-t’y pas que ce vieux con de Redford qui n’arrête pas deUn général 3 étoiles fait le mariole dans une prison militaire ou disons un ex-général 3 étoiles puisqu’il a écopé d’une peine de 10 piges pour on ne sait trop quelle raison mais apparemment des gens sont morts par sa faute…

Et v’là-t’y pas que ce vieux con de Redford qui n’arrête pas de parader nous rejoue le Pont de la rivière Kwaï à lui tout seul, sans gêne, sans honte, sans aucun respect. Mais le résultat tourne plutôt vers ‘Haute sécurité’ avec Stallone que le Pont avec Guinness… et le tout est noyé dans une infâme propagande patriotico-pro-militaire.

Dommage, car le film est assez bien réalisé et Gandolfini est le seul à tirer son épingle du jeu dans cette pantalonnade navrante même pas drôle au quinzième degré, ni faite, ni à faire.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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