Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison Reviews

Though it's loaded with the usual prison yarn cliches and stereotyped guards and cons, this incarceration tale is above average because of a superb cast and plenty of action. Set in the 1920s and actually filmed in California's tough Folsom Prison, the film features Cochran as the toughest con in the joint, whose diehard followers are dedicated to his escape plans. Goading them on is sadistic warden de Corsia and a bevy of brutal guards. The prisoners under de Corsia's vicious rule are indiscriminately beaten and tortured, their lives made into hellish nightmares. Then humane Brian enters the system as the guards' captain and immediately begins to institute reforms, defying the warden and making life a little easier for the inmates, causing the tension to ease and the violence to subside. Brian's rehabilitating measures are against de Corsia's wishes and repeated clashes with him cause Brian to be fired. Cochran and company can no longer tolerate conditions, especially now that benefactor Brian has been removed, and they make their bloody break for freedom. All are gunned down in a bloodbath that de Corsia obviously relishes. The public outcry, however, is long and loud and causes the warden to be removed and Brian to be brought back to run the battered institution. Brian is forceful and convincing as the fair-minded reformer and de Corsia is so effective as the brutal warden that he falls all over himself in a successful effort to be hated. Cochran, of the dark look and slick black hair, has enough good points to have the viewer rooting for him at times, even though he's a crook through and through. The film is well directed by action helmsman Wilbur and DuPar's photography is grimly realistic and properly stark.