STAR RATING: ***** The Works **** Just Misses the Mark *** That Little Bit In Between ** Lagging Behind * The Pits
Jonathan Paige (Alan Alda) is a bright young college professor who blows it all after accidentally killing the man who nearly killed his wife. When he enters the notorious prison known as 'the Glass House', he quickly comes to the attention of Hugo Slocum (Vic Morrow) a man who seems to have quite some influence over a gang of other inmates. Slocum is desperate to impose his will and make Jonathan aware of how powerful he is and for a while he is happy to playalong with this. However, when Slocum begins exploiting a vulnerable young prisoner, he takes a stand against this. What follows is a desperate power struggle that will build up to an electrifying climax where only one will come out on top.
Breakfast at Tiffany's author Truman Capote here delivers a prison drama entry. I didn't like it very much at first because I was mislead by the back cover a bit, but while I was watching it I knew I was watching a film that was too well made and well written to be written-off as a complete failure so I've watched it again.
Slocum's build-up from an easy-going, slightly friendly guy into the psychotic thug he really is is quite engaging but when his villainous turn comes round he's just not quite nasty and thuggish enough. And as well-written as Alda's part is, his character adapts to prison life a bit too easily for a man of his nature and it's hard to believe someone with his temperament could confront a gang like Slocum's so full-on. The most believable part is that of the young boy, who very honestly delivers a true portrayal of naivety and vulnerability. The black pharmacy worker (very well played bya young Billy Dee Williams) is also a significant part, portraying the standard repressed black character in a prison film made in the very early 70s.
For all this, though, as I said, it's just too well-made and well-conceived to be completely rubbish and it's very admirable how it's all pulled off at such a short length. ***
The Glass House
1972
Action / Drama
The Glass House
1972
Action / Drama
Plot summary
Adapted from a story by Truman Capote ("In Cold Blood"),the world of the prison convict is open to the viewer. As the story develops, one thing becomes clear. As in the outside world, there is a "system"; and just as on the outside, there is accommodation, honesty, cynicism, violence and all the other factors that make up our society. Three new convicts act as the catalyst for the events that follow; a college teacher, convicted of accidental manslaughter; a young man, sentenced for possession of marijuana; a new guard, interested in changing the system. Inside prison, the 'establlishment' presents itself. The warden doesn't want to rock the boat of the small society within prison walls. A convict dictator controls activities among the inmates thanks to a control of the narcotics traffic. A leader of the black convicts seethes in his own world of racial tension when there is no difference between convicts and authorities. As the film follows the three newcomers, it records the grim, terrifying, sometimes fascinating events that occur.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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Movie Reviews
Compelling but slightly undelivering prison drama
"The Glass House" : Shatters How You See Alan Alda
There's no mistaking that a lot of us have a perception of Alan Alda as "a nice guy with great intentions" and that a lot of people still think of him only as Hawkeye Pierce. If they saw "The Glass House" and certain other movies with Alda,they would not believe their eyes! From the first scene of Alda and the other prisoners,plus the new guard and veteran,riding in a bus to the Utah State prison,you know this is not going to be pleasant. Johnathan Page (Alda)has his life torn apart when a drunk driver hits his wife,while she crosses the street with their baby's (thankfully empty)stroller.
Page thinks his wife's been killed (she hasn't) and he attacks the driver,he strikes him and the driver falls and cracks his head open killing him. A gruesome scene,given how we're used to seeing Alan. After arriving he and the others are processed and photographed. While getting their showers,other male prisoners watch them,including soon to be enemy Slocum (Vic Morrow)the ring leader.
The truth hasn't really sunk in for Page and it's most obvious when Slocum and crew try to strong arm him to accept their "protection". Page refuses and Slocum isn't pleased and basically tells Jonathan without words that he's made an enemy. Page is tapped to work in the prison pharmacy with a man named Lennox (Billy Dee Williams)who's serving for life. (Despite being a TV movie,Williams utters a swear you "never" hear on TV,now that's gutsy)
The new guard who rode up with Page is shocked but not completely surprised at what he finds going on there. A veteran guard is crooked as can be and doesn't care what the prisoners do,including killing each-other. He and Slocum have an arrangement. This arrangement is kept record of in small book by another prisoner,who fearing for his life,hands it off to Page.
There's many a disturbing scene,for 70s TV,including a scalding of a prisoner with a vat of soup,a stabbing,a gang rape of the youngest prisoner & his later suicide. Then there's the climactic chase when Slocum and his fellow prisoners chase after Page through the prison halls (after the crooked guard opens their cells for them). It's incredible to see Alda in a role where he actually,physically fights back! I won't spoil it any further but anyway you can find to see this movie,do it! If you don't like scenes like the ones I've described,it may be best to stay clear. Some of them even unnerved me. A great example of what a great writer Truman Capote was.
10 stars all the way.(END)
"This is dynamite...looking for a fuse!"
A college professor convicted of manslaughter and a corrections officer just beginning his new job both try to survive the rigors of time behind bars in a rough state prison. Filmed in an actual prison with real convicts as extras, this acclaimed TV-movie, from a story by Truman Capote and Wyatt Cooper, is frank and brutal but doesn't show much headway from the James Cagney movies on the late show. Director Tom Gries won an Emmy for his work, but there's too much of swaggering Vic Morrow as the proverbial head honcho of the prison ward, and the rest of the supporting characters are just as clichéd. Purports to be a realistic portrait of a convict's experience, but the old Hollywood machinery is in full force regardless.