THE LAST CASTLE
US, 2001, 132 minutes, Colour.
Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Clifton Collins Jnr, Delroy Lindo, Steve Burton.
Directed by Rod Lurie.
The Last Castle was directed by Rod Lurie, a film critic who became a director with the political film Deterrence in 1998. He also made a strong impact with his 2001 film, The Contender with Jeff Bridges as the President of the United States and Joan Allen as the vice-presidential nominee. He then went on to make The Last Castle, another political thriller.
This time the focus is on a general who is accused of disobeying orders in Vietnam. He is interned in a castle which is presided over by James Gandolfini. The general is played by Robert Redford. While accepting the justice of his sentence, Redford leads the prisoners in a rebellion against Gandolfini because of their treatment in the prison. There is an armed uprising which is put down by arms – leading to not only confrontation but re-examination of this system by the military authorities. The military is represented by Delroy Lindo.
There are some good supporting performances amongst actors portraying the prisoners, especially Clifton Collins Jnr and Mark Ruffalo at the beginning of his career.
The film is interesting in its battle of wills and battle of wits in the military context.
1. A war story? A prison story? The overtones of the title and the film's explanation of the role of a castle, to keep people out - and the prison castle to keep people in? A symbol and microcosm of the world?
2. The castle building, its exteriors and interiors, the yard? The background of its being built during the Civil War? The Civil War relics and Colonel Winter being proud of his guns and other relics? The themes of war, military, soldiers, General Irwin and his career, his book of strategy, his decision in Rwanda and the death of his men? His pleading guilty and being imprisoned? The other soldiers and the reasons for their being in prison?
3. The castle itself, its appearance, the symbolic and mediaeval overtones? The musical score and atmosphere?
4. Colonel Winter and his being in charge, his character, seeming graciousness, mild manner, wearing glasses, seeming scholarly? His Civil War relics - and Irwin's comment about somebody who had not been involved in combat having such relics? The gradual revelation of his being a tyrant, dominant and violent? His love of power, exercise of power? His brutality towards the men, using violence, men killed under his command? The issue of the salute? Humiliating the men? The set-up for a confrontation with General Irwin?
5. General Irwin, his reputation, his book, the preparations for his coming to the prison, people being deferential to him, Winter being deferential? The routines of entry into prison and General Irwin undergoing these? His pleading guilty, his accepting his responsibility for the death of his men, wanting to serve his time? The initial encounter with Winter, the courtesies, Winter overhearing his comment about his relics? The change of attitude, not wanting the autograph?
6. Irwin adapting to the prison, his not wanting to exercise leadership, the reaction of the various men, the power groups within the prison, their expectations of Irwin? His observing Winter? The gradual realisation of his violence and brutality? The issues with Clifford Yates and his being an informer? Yates's father serving with Irwin? Aguila and his being put upon by the men? The friendship with General Wheeler and contact with him? His doing the work, in the dining area? The building of the wall and his participation? His gradual change, his change of stances, his knowing the letter of the law, the beginning of challenges to Irwin? His siding with the men, the issue of the salute, supporting Aguila? The report to General Wheeler and his visit? Wheeler giving him his support?
7. Aguila, condemned, his crimes, his work, the salute and the subterfuge of scratching the head? His working on the wall, his death? Yates, the wheeler-dealer, making the bets, the black market, being despised by the others? The range of the other characters of the prisoners?
8. Winter and his taking a stance, his imposition of the work on Irwin, moving the bricks, the hard work, the prisoners watching? Standing behind Irwin and his completion of his work? The building of the wall and then its demolition?
9. The use of the soldiers, the guns, to prevent escape, the literal interpretation of rioting?
10. The build-up to the confrontation, the communication with General Wheeler? The helicopters, the guards coming out, the shootings? The issue of the flag, the stealing by Yates of Winter's flag? Irwin wanting to raise it according to the letter of the law, his being shot, raising the flag? Winter and his mental and moral collapse, his subordinates who had been loyal to him not supporting him any more? General Wheeler and the takeover?
11. The issues of the exercise of power and authority? Positions of authority versus moral authority of the person? The loyalty of followers to true authority, no matter what their background and criminal past? The symbolism for American society, American structures like the military and politics, hierarchy? The nature of heroism? The Christ-figure implications of Irwin and his stances, leadership, subversiveness, giving his life for others?
