American Prison Film Since 1930: From the Big House to the Shawshank Redemption

Gonthier (film studies and English, Keene State College, New Hampshire) offers a critical deconstruction of the formal, thematic, ideological and social elements represented by 12 American films created during the past 70 years in which the bulk of the scenes occur in prison. The material is grouped thematically into chapters on topics such as gangsters in prison, exploited women in prison, WWII POWs, reform schools, and prison film auteurs Stuart Rosenburg, Alan Parker, and Frank Darabont. Each chapter includes an overview of the topic and its relevance to film history, followed by a brief critique and an analysis of a selected film. Suitable as a research and analysis text for students, teachers and writers, and as a reference for prison film aficionados. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)