Directed by:
Alberto RodríguezCinematography:
Alex CatalánComposer:
Julio de la RosaCast:
Miguel Herrán, Javier Gutiérrez, Jesús Carroza, Julián Valcárcel, Fernando Tejero, Javier Beltrán, Catalina Sopelana, Alfonso Lara, Iñigo de la Iglesia (more)Plots(1)
Based on remarkable true events, the captivating new thriller from acclaimed writer/director Alberto Rodríguez follows a young accountant who, imprisoned in late 70s Spain on trumped up charges, creates a systemic revolution from within. Modelo Prison, Barcelona. Twenty-something Manuel (fast-rising star Miguel Herrán) has been imprisoned on a fraud charge and may not even face trial for four years. Stubbornly refusing to be intimidated by the brutal beahviour of the prison guards, and aided by his seen-it-all cellmate Pino (Javier Gutiérrez), Manuel joins COPEL, a pro-amnesty collective fighting for the rights of prisoners. A war for freedom breaks out that will bring the Spanish prison system to its knees. If things are changing outside, they’ll have to do the same inside... Filmed on location at the notorious Modelo, Prison 77 is a deep dive into the Spanish penitentiary system during a turbulent moment at the end of Franco’s 40-year dictatorship. When Spain was grappling with its newfound democratic freedoms. A smash hit at the Spanish box office in late 2022, and winner of five Goya Awards, it’s a potent and intensely involving tale of friendship, solidarity and freedom. (Palace Films)
(more)Reviews (1)
A decent prison drama based on real events from the director of the lauded Marshland. The casting is also interesting. Javier Gutiérrez is a big star, and we all know Miguel Herrán as Rio from Money Heist (you could say this is an unofficial spin-off of Money Heist, what would it look like if Rio had stayed behind bars). The film is set in post-dictatorship Spain in the 70s, when prisons had harsh conditions and prisoners didn't have many rights, the guards just did whatever they wanted and the prisoners tried to get amnesty. The whole film takes place in one prison and since I have a soft spot for prison themes, it definitely caught my attention immediately. There are interesting rules and well written characters, occasionally someone gets killed or beaten up, but this is not about murder and fighting (although there is a minor riot). There are grittier prison-themed films, but this one has heart, great characters, and an unusual Spanish setting. It's simply a quality affair that has everything a viewer would expect from a genre film like this. 75%
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