An old-fashioned but hearteningly entertaining prison film, with Robert Redford winning new haloes as the crusading prison governor determined to reform the vilest and most violent jail farm in the whole of the US. Naturally, there are those for him and those against, and thereby hangs the nub of the tale. If Redford is sometimes too good to be true this does sustain audience sympathy throughout, and ensures that the final scene is as moving as it is intended to be. Jane Alexander offers another of her strong human portrayals as just about the only member of the prison board to side with Redford, but Murray Hamilton, the Mayor in the 'Jaws' films, is stereotypically cast as the unco-operative and disbelieving figure of authority, here the chairman of the board. Strong stuff. STAR SPOT: Watch out for Morgan Freeman, then a complete unknown, in one of his first major film roles: his unmistakeable rumbling voice is heard as Walter.

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