September 17, 2000
THE CASTLE
Screenplay by David Scarpa, Rewrite by Graham Yost
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
Tyrannical COLONEL WINTER is the Commandant of the USDB, a military prison called “The Castle.” He likes to keep the inmates in control by pitting them against one another, the Whites against the Blacks against the Latinos, etc. While the guards are supposed to use rubber bullets, Winter has been known to unofficially authorize the “accidental” use of real bullets when he needs to eliminate someone. GENERAL LELAND IRWIN has been court-martialed and sentenced to the Castle for disobeying orders in Africa to go on a rescue mission which resulted in the death of eight soldiers. When he arrives at the Castle, Winter puts him in his place, warning him there is no saluting of him by the inmate population. Irwin says he just wants to serve his time and go home.
When prisoner AGUILAR disobeys Winter’s orders by saluting Irwin, Winters has Aguilar punished. When Irwin comes to Aguilar’s aide, Winters punishes Irwin. Irwin takes his punishment and earns the respect of his fellow inmates DOC, DELLWO, DUFFY, JINX, CYRUS, ENRIQUEZ, and even BEAUPRE as well as guards PERETZ, LOMBARDO, MCLAREN, and NIEBOLT. Together, they rebuild the prison’s historical wall which becomes a symbol of the inmates unity. Meanwhile, inmate YATES, the prison bookie, takes bets on how long Irwin will last. The inmates develop an informal way of saluting by running their hands through their hand, but Winter realizes the deception and punishes the men and bulldozes the wall, killing Aguilar. On behalf of the inmates, Irwin confronts Winter and demands his resignation. Fearing for his job, Winter negotiates an early release for Irwin, citing health reasons, explaining Irwin is losing his mind. Irwin and the inmates realize Irwin is being pulled out of the prison to quell the revolution. Irwin visits with his friend LT. GENERAL WHEELER who is certain of Irwin’s sanity, but powerless to fire Winter. Before his release, Irwin belts Winter and is put back into incarceration.
Irwin comes up with a plan to defeat Winter. By having the inmates take over the prison, Winter will be forced to give up command and call in the National Guard. By military law, Winter will be replaced. Using a complex plan and the cooperation of all the inmates, Irwin and his men take over the prison and bomb out Winter’s office. Wheeler arrives to negotiate with Irwin through Yates. However, they make a deal with Yates for an early release if he turns traitor on Irwin. He does, but as Irwin expected him to do so, this advances Irwin’s plans. Knowing he would be sent to a mental hospital and drugged, Irwin sacrifices his life to expose Winter’s murderous activities.
Summary Criticism: This is one of those stories that pits two titans against one another to see who mind fucks the best. The script is skillfully crafted, but familiar and predictable.
The Last Castle (2001) - imdb
The Last Castle (2001) - wiki
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