An engrossing and moving documentary, Shakespeare Behind Bars is the result of a full year spent by filmmakers Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller following the progress of a group of inmates—thieves, drug dealers, killers—enrolled in a theater program in Kentucky's Luther Luckett Correctional Complex as they rehearse and eventually perform a fairly elaborate production of Shakespeare's The Tempest under the direction of volunteer Curt Tofteland. In many cases, the process proves transformative as the prisoners' participation in the project fosters self-examination and confrontation with the darker sides of their natures, especially since murderers are cast as murderers and thieves play thieves here. Even within these outcast halls of society, the liberating power of redemption is found, and the extent to which the prisoners are moved by their theatrical experience will prove surprising even to the most skeptical and cynical viewers. Premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, Shakespeare Behind Bars has since won many awards, including the Special Jury Prize at the Boston Independent Film Festival. DVD extras include three audio commentaries, and over 45 minutes of bonus material, including deleted scenes, prisoner updates, and additional performance footage. Highly recommended. Aud: C, P. (E. Hulse)
Shakespeare Behind Bars
(2006) 93 min. DVD: $19.98. Shout! Factory (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 0-7389-3475-5. Volume 21, Issue 5
Shakespeare Behind Bars
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