Brubaker 1980

As Arkansas State Wakefield Prison’s freshly minted Warden Henry Brubaker (Robert Redford) arrives at the facility by bus, masquerading as a common inmate, it becomes apparent that the penitentiary is a bastion of brutalities. The newly appointed warden, processing alongside the other incoming convicts, finds himself immersed in an environment reeking of despair and desperation. A meager allocation of beds, unpalatable sustenance, and ineffective shower facilities are just the beginning of the litany of grievances afflicting the prison’s inhabitants. The barracks, a hotbed of violence, witness daily rapes, while inmates are subjected to arbitrary whippings. In this bleak landscape, prisoners are forced to barter for basic necessities, exchanging blood for money at the infirmary and paying the cooks for improved rations. Brubaker’s introduction to prison life is further marred by the discovery of a maggot infesting his meal.

As he navigates this treacherous terrain, inmate Larry Lee Bullen (David Keith) is abruptly whisked away for a supposed phone call, only to be brutally beaten upon his return. Amidst the chaos and squalor, Brubaker forms an unlikely bond with Walter (Morgan Freeman), a Death Row inmate who takes Bullen hostage, demanding that the warden heed his grievances. With calculated calm, Brubaker reveals his true identity as the new warden, and Walter’s initial skepticism gives way to a laundry list of demands, including the installation of yellow-painted walls, a picture window, a shag rug, liquor, and a television akin to those enjoyed by the corrupt trusty guards who rule the prison. When Walter directs Brubaker to the location where he should install the coveted window, the warden promptly locks him back in his cell.

Trusty Dickie Coombes (Yaphet Kotto) escorts Brubaker to the office of Warden Renfro (Lee Richardson), where he delivers the crushing news that his predecessor is out of a job. As the newly appointed warden addresses the prison, outlining the new rules and regulations, governors assistant Lillian Gray (Jane Alexander), Prison Board Chairman John Deach (Murray Hamilton), and a police officer arrive to formally swear him in. Deach emphasizes his desire for continued updates on the prison’s status, while Lillian cautions Brubaker to exercise prudence in his dealings.

In the days that follow, Brubaker witnesses the Death Row prisoners gradually acclimating to the warmth of sunlight during their daily outdoor excursions. He subsequently issues an order mandating that all inmates receive a daily dose of fresh air. However, it is not long before the warden learns of a barracks roof collapse caused by heavy rainfall and springs into action to rescue the injured prisoners, only to face challenges in securing ambulances for transportation to the prison’s infirmary.

As Warden Brubaker delves deeper into the infirmary’s financial practices, he discovers that the doctor has been charging inmates for medical services, a revelation that sparks outrage and prompts immediate action. With his newfound understanding, Brubaker swiftly terminates the doctor’s contract, putting an end to this egregious exploitation of the incarcerated population.

Meanwhile, in the prison’s kitchens, Brubaker uncovers another instance of systemic injustice. He learns that three hundred cases of chili were delivered to feed just fifty trusties, leaving the majority of inmates to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. The stark reality of this situation cannot be ignored, as it highlights the stark disparities in treatment between those who hold power and those who are powerless.

During his meeting with lumberyard owner C. P. ‘Woody’ Woodward (M. Emmet Walsh), Brubaker is faced with a choice: rebuild the barracks roof at no cost, or refuse to cooperate with the surrounding community. When Woody refuses, Brubaker stands firm, refusing to supply free labor to his company. The warning delivered by Woody serves as a reminder that Brubaker’s decisions will have far-reaching consequences.

As he reports to Lillian about the prison’s construction projects and the diversion of food meant for inmates to the police department, Brubaker is met with a mixture of concern and disinterest. However, his discovery of a cabin inhabited by Huey Rauch (Tim McIntire), a trusty, and his waitress girlfriend on the prison grounds, surrounded by storage sheds stocked with food stolen from the prison kitchens, prompts swift action.

The removal of bureaucrat Willets (Ronald C. Frazier) for allowing the theft marks a turning point in Brubaker’s reform efforts. He establishes an inmate council, headed by trusties Dickie, Eddie Caldwell (Everett McGill), and Floyd Birdwell (Joe Spinell), to handle purchase orders and ensure transparency.

As tensions rise among the trusties, who are losing their perks and privileges, Brubaker is faced with a new challenge: attending a Prison Board meeting to hear a guest warden speak about prison reform. Lillian’s subtle warning that he must play politics if he wishes to remain in his position serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between personal conviction and professional survival.

In the midst of these challenges, an inmate named Abraham (Richard Ward) interrupts a council meeting to share knowledge about the burial sites of murdered inmates. However, this revelation is quickly overshadowed by the brutal treatment meted out to Abraham by trusties Caldwell and Birdwell, who use torture as a means of silencing him.

As Brubaker navigates the complex web of politics and corruption at the Prison Board meeting, he is confronted with the harsh reality that everyone involved in the prison system stands to gain financially, while those behind bars are left to suffer. The weight of this knowledge settles heavily upon his shoulders as he walks out of the meeting, Lillian’s warning ringing in his ears: play politics, or risk losing everything.

As Brubaker emerges from the prison gates, his eyes are met with a haunting sight - Abraham’s lifeless body suspended from a flagpole, a grim reminder that his well-intentioned reforms have only led to more senseless violence. Dickie warns him that the consequences of his actions will be dire, and Brubaker is forced to confront the harsh reality that his quest for justice has resulted in multiple deaths.

The warden’s meeting with Lillian and Senator Hite (John McMartin) serves as a stark reminder of the corrupt forces arrayed against him. The senator’s proposal - to fix the prison’s boiler and build new barracks in exchange for Brubaker’s silence on the matter - is nothing short of an offer to perpetuate a cover-up of monumental proportions. When Brubaker reflects on the weight of his decision, Hite ominously warns that he risks being imprisoned for grave robbing, while Lillian urges him to focus on the living rather than the dead.

Undeterred, Brubaker persists in his pursuit of justice, and after weeks of tireless digging, the coffins of the victims are finally unearthed. As a result, Rauch’s grip on the trusties begins to loosen, and he eventually departs the prison a broken man.

News of Abraham’s murder at the hands of Rauch sends Brubaker into a frenzy, driving him to form a posse and track down his killer in town. The ensuing gunfight leaves Bullen dead, and Brubaker wounded, but ultimately victorious over Rauch.

The Prison Board hearing that follows is a tense affair, with outside doctors struggling to determine the exact causes of death for the remains found on Wakefield’s grounds. When asked to share his opinion, Brubaker delivers a scathing indictment of the state’s treatment of convicts, suggesting that it would be more cost-effective to execute them after trial rather than imprisoning them at Wakefield.

Lillian’s attempts to reason with him fall on deaf ears, as Brubaker is resolute in his refusal to compromise. He sees the Prison Board’s position as condoning murder, and he will not be party to it. Lillian’s claim that she stands by his side only serves to further deepen the rift between them.

As the curtain closes on Brubaker’s tenure at Wakefield, a new warden, Rory Poke, arrives to take the reins. Dickie’s heartfelt tribute to Brubaker as he departs - a show of respect from the very inmates whose lives he sought to improve - serves as a poignant reminder that, despite the many challenges and setbacks he faced, Brubaker’s legacy will endure.