This fascinating film appeals to the head and the heart. Without sensationalizing what happens behind prison walls --- a rarity in current media --- it takes us into prison locations other than the cell blocks and shows us that something good can come out of prison. Anyone interested in prison reform or in theater will love this film. It's hard to imagine that someone could see these men creating theater and creating change in themselves and not believe that rehabilitation is possible. I've seen a number of films about positive work being done in prison, and many have struck me as preachy. This one is not only moving and educational, it's also entertaining.
5 Reviews
Extraordinary film
rmelen21 June 2016
It's amazing what the arts - theater - can do to change a person. The RTA program helps prisoners learn teamwork, respect, self-discipline, communications skills, self- confidence, leadership, and it's all so well portrayed in this film. A must see for kids who may teeter on the edge of a bad future -- here's how big bad men turned their lives around. Dramatic Escape truly defines the word rehabilitation. You might expect to feel no sympathy for these men, but by the end, you have respect for them, and you want them to succeed. That's what a good film does -- makes you root for the protagonist. There are few programs like Rehabilitation Through the Arts, but there should be. This is a great, great film!
Transformative Documentary
rjwaksman22 June 2016
The film "Dramatic Escape" is a wonderful documentary and can transform the lives of those watching it as well as document how the rehabilitation activities of RTA transforms the lives of those involved – both teachers ("facilitators") and prisoners. Most people are simply unaware of the fabulous benefits of rehabilitation activities with the incarcerated and need to be exposed to documentaries such as this. The benefits are not only to the prisoners, but also to the teachers and even to the states and the dramatically reduced recidivism has great financial benefits to government. This is clearly a film whose time as come.
Powerful, Real, Fascinating
karinshiel13 July 2016
This film has relevance well beyond prison issues. It's an engaging film about what is possible when people with very difficult pasts are treated with respect, exposed to the arts and given a chance to express themselves and to work as a team towards a positive goal. The film probes the lives of several prisoners in Sing Sing maximum security prison, witnessing their difficulties and successes as they uncover emotions that have been buried, or sometimes never before identified. It captures the dynamic between the men as they struggle to create together and to grapple with behaviors that brought them to prison. There are funny and heartbreaking moments, all inside the walls of this historic, dangerous, and still very active prison. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in humans.
Prison program that truly rehabilitates
rickigold24 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I loved this film because it shows the possibility of hope and change where you would never expect it - in Sing Sing Correctional Facility. Inmates go about putting on a play, dealing with logistical challenges, memorizing lines, jitters... For me, the most interesting part was a misunderstanding between prisoners, where one prisoner got enraged because he thought he was being disrespected. When he realized that he had misinterpreted the situation he felt like a fool, which led him to an epiphany that this the kind of thing that got him into prison in the first place.
Given the culture clash between art and security, between humanity and bureaucracy, it's amazing this program exists. But it's clear from this film that prisoners are hungry for this kind of experience and how much they benefit from it.
Given the culture clash between art and security, between humanity and bureaucracy, it's amazing this program exists. But it's clear from this film that prisoners are hungry for this kind of experience and how much they benefit from it.
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