digitalbeachbum Having served in the military I found some vague references of this movie real and so much more not real. Everything from the attitude of the prisoners and the commandant I thought the movie was too phony. Too many plot vehicles. Too much Hollywood BS.I really hated it and there aren't any scenes which I even remotely thought were worth my time. The characters are unrealistic. The plot even less real. The script poorly written.This might be one of Robert Redford's worst movies.

adonis98-743-186503 A court-martialed general rallies together 1200 inmates to rise against the corrupt system that put him away. The Last Castle is a 2001 Action, Drama, Thriller starring Robert Redford, James Gandolfini and Mark Ruffalo. I'm very glad that i own this movie because it's truly very good and moving it's basically a film about a court martial who goes in jail and he gets screwed in there because the system of the whole prison is corrupted and the main bad guy is played by the amazing James Gandolfini as for our hero his name is Lt. Gen. Eugene Irwin played by the great Robert Redford as for Ruffalo he plays Yates an ex pilot the last 20 to 30 minutes of the movie has the inmates going against the guards and Col. Winter and a big battle starts but unfortunately the movie ends in a very touching way with Eugene getting shot for trying to hang the American flag upside down although that wasn't what he was trying to do he actually puts the flag in the right position in a way of respect and he dies by his wounds. The Last Castle is sure not for everyone but anyone who loves great war movies or drama or just pure action in Jail you will probably love it or have a good time.

philaphil60 There is the realm of critics and viewers who castigate Tony Scott's "Crimson Tide,"(also featuring James Gandolfini before he became Tony Soprano) and many of the films Michael Bay made (Armageddon, Pearl Harbor, The Rock),and Scott's "Man on Fire". You know, all the really good stuff, made by directors who know how to create films which compel us simpletons to turn up the volume at home, or just say "Wow. WOW!" as we walk across the parking lot to the car, and then discuss the film with our partner all the way home."The Last Castle" is one of these flicks. Two-starred in Maltin, the reviewer doesn't get it, calling the plot-lines obvious, the story predictable, the pace per formula. Who cares? Robert Redford and James G have so many scenes where you are simply galvanized by the struggle of good versus evil. And what is so intoxicating about that battle in this film, (set in a military prison where Redford is a disgraced, former Marine general, and Gandolfini is the commanding officer), is the "good" is the evil, and the "evil" is the good (see Shakespeare, William!). As good as Redford and Gandolfini are, the young Mark Ruffalo, just steals the film as a prisoner, the cynical conflicted son of a Congressional Medal of Honor winner who was a POW with Redford.What a wonderful surprise, to come across this on a retirement afternoon on HBO2. Just an inspiring Friday afternoon matinée!

quahnarren After checking this site for information about The Last Castle (of which I previously knew nothing about) I decided to take a look at it, despite one of the major issues other viewers and reviewers have had with this film – the trebuchet – which was a key reason that made me stay to watch the ending. I'm rather astounded that such a ridiculous and moronic plot element would remain in the script without someone simply asking that if it is of such importance to the overthrow of power, why does it not get any mention before the surprise reveal during the prisoner revolt.Before the trebuchet ever appeared I was already struggling with the generally poor dialogue, the easily lead prisoners and the basic security flaws within this prison complex. Gandolfini's Col. Winter is a weak and uninspired character that adds little to the intent of the story and misses the mark for what should have been a very complex person within a role of ultimate authority.There's a noticeable lack of story development regarding the inmates banding together and creating the necessary components for their violent uprising – so much so that we simply do not get the impression that they are capable of producing the results later shown. In many ways the plot feels undercooked and simplistic, lacking the necessary depth to produce something worthy of the situation. I can handle moments of flawed movie logic, but this film features way too many of these occasions to retain credibility.If you're prepared to unplug your brain and personally enjoy this type of film, then there may be something of interest. For everyone else – there's nothing of value here to enjoy.