Prison Song (2001): Cast & Plot
Prison Song is a 2001 drama directed by Darnell Martin, starring Q-Tip as Elijah Dixon, Mary J. Blige and Eric McCollum. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 34m (94 min)
- Director
- Darnell Martin
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
English - After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Prison Song About?
The premise of Prison Song without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Elijah, the only son of a desperate mother, has been shuffled between group homes throughout his turbulent youth. Art sustains him, but when a promised scholarship is revoked he becomes involved in a fight that kills another boy. Sentenced to at least fifteen years, he must nurture his spirit behind bars or risk becoming a hardened criminal.
Prison Song Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- title directed by female
- title co written by female
- two word title
- younger version of character
- prison visit
- prisoner
- african american
- african american protagonist
- working class
- best friend
- mother son relationship
- father son relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- arrest
- husband wife relationship
- little boy
- boy
- camera
- photographer
- photography
- boyfriend girlfriend relationship
- accidental killing
- accidental murder
- convict
- childhood friend
- social worker
- stabbed with a pen
- social drama
- loss of son
- photograph
- fat man
- mental illness
- sedative
- sedation
- hospital visit
- psychiatric hospital
- college student
- student
- scholarship
- subway train
- subway station
- assault on police officer
- stall
- face slashed
- toilet paper
- gash in the face
- crying man
- pull ups
- prison guard
- teacher
- art student
Prison Song Cast & Characters
Q-Tip leads the cast as Elijah Dixon, with Mary J. Blige as Mom and Eric McCollum as Thomas Wilson. Directed by Darnell Martin; 76 actors are credited in all.
- Director Darnell Martin
- Q-Tip as Elijah Dixon
-
Mary J. Blige as Mom - Eric McCollum as Thomas Wilson
- Denee Rivera as Jolie Martinez
Also Starring in Prison Song
· 72 more- Fat Joe Big Pete
- Bobbito Garcia Brown
- Hassan Johnson Jay
- Danny Hoch Harris
- Tony Devon Prison Guard Lawrence
- Brian Anthony Wilson Prison C.O. (as Brian A. Wilson)
- Luna Lauren Velez Prison Counselor (uncredited)
- Fisher Stevens Prosecutor
- Vincenzo Amato Store Owner
- Harold Perrineau Uncle Cee
- Patrick McDade Mr. Lloyd (as Pat McDade)
- Elvis Costello Public Defender / Teacher
- Charles Malik Whitfield Officer Welles
- Jamie Tirelli Mr. Mercer
- Jamie Hector Phone Kid
- John Bryant Inmate on Bus (uncredited)
Show all 76 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Tom McCarthy Cee's Judge
- Gloria Irizarry Mrs. Williamson
- Javier Nunez Eugene
- Cesar De León Tyrone
- N.O.R.E. Big Ski
- Mateo Gómez Mr. Gonzalez
- Ian 'Blaze' Kelly Inmate
- Brandon E. Brooks Inmate (uncredited)
- Bridget McConnell Shareholder (as Bridget Mary McConnell)
- Nick Sullivan Financial Aid Advisor
- Marguerite Mastromatto Attorney (uncredited)
- Patrick Morrison Shareholder C.O.
- Douglas Crosby Cop #2 (as Doug Crosby)
- Snow Officer McIntyre
- Donovon Ian H. McKnight Jess (as Donovon Ian Hunter McKnight)
- Michael Sean Tighe Cop #1
- Donald Jackson Photographer
- Ebony Jerido Bernadette
- Natalie Paige Bentley Officer McIntyre's Wife (uncredited)
- Ephraim Benton Rahmel
- Seth William Meier Laser Cop #2 (as Seth Meier)
- Casper Martinez C.O. Villar
- Joe Paradise Chief Berry
- Curtis Carrott C.O. Steve (as Curt 'Flirt' Carrott)
- Tomas Melly Hector
- Justin 'DJ' Spaulding Young Elijah
- Clay Da Raider KT
- Ryan Toby Teacher's Assistant
- Dominique Walters Young Thomas (as Dominique 'Lil Nique' Walters)
- Peggy A. Kirkpatrick Group Home Counselor
- Jeremy Peter Johnson Laser Cop
- John C. Havens Interviewer
- Montay Walters Big Boy (as Montay 'Tay Boogie' Walters)
- Fidel Vicioso Polaroid Guy
- Marc Freeman Hamm Isiah
- Michael H. Ingram Elijah's Judge (as Michael Ingram)
- Alton Clinton Mark
- Nan Jackson Ms. Leone
- Walter Leon Polo'd Out Student
- Bob Colletti Supervisor
- Alexis Hyman Young Girl (as Alexis 'L. Dionne' Hyman)
- Raefel J. Mallea Tiny
- Taina Hernandez News Reporter
- Herbert Spaulding C.O.
- Mister Fischer C.O. #2 (as Mr. Fischer)
- Larry Weiss Counselor #2
- Universal Lockdown C.O.
- Damali Mason Cafeteria C.O.
- Kash Goins Mike (Inmate)
- Jamie Gonzalez Correction Officer Villar
- Francesco Scorsone Riot Guard / Court Officer
- Dakota Anderson Inmate (uncredited)
- Todd Birmingham Inmate (uncredited)
- Kenny Guay Boy on bus (uncredited)
- Theron Smith Foster Child (uncredited)
- John Wooten Prisoner (uncredited)
Prison Song Plot Summary
What happens in Prison Song from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Elijah Butler is a bright, inquisitive 10-year-old growing up in New York, where everyday life blends with the challenges of a tough urban neighborhood. He lives with his mother, a tireless, aspiring professional who hopes to climb into a legal career, and her fiancé, a photographer who stands as the family’s steady presence. The mother, played by Mary J. Blige, works hard and attends night school while juggling the demands of a low-income world that makes steady employment hard to secure. Her partner, Cee, shares a genuine bond with Elijah and supports them in every way he can, even as life takes unexpected turns.
Full summary
The whole story of Prison Song, scene by scene
Prison Song Videos
The featurette of Prison Song.
How Well Do You Know Prison Song?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which actress portrays Elijah's mother in the film?
Prison Song Also Known As
2 alternative titles: “Затворническа песен” and “프리즌 송”.
- Also known as
-
- Затворническа песен
- 프리즌 송
Seen Prison Song?
Movies Like Prison Song
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Prison, Prison Shadows and Prison.
Prison Song FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Prison Song, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Prison Song?
Prison Song runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).
When was Prison Song released?
Prison Song was released on April 27, 2001.
Who directed Prison Song?
Prison Song was directed by Darnell Martin.
More films by Darnell Martin Who is in the cast of Prison Song?
Prison Song stars Q-Tip as Elijah Dixon, Mary J. Blige as Mom and Eric McCollum as Thomas Wilson, among 76 credited actors.
Does Prison Song have a post-credit scene?
No. Prison Song has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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