Viggo Mortensen’s ’80s Horror Movie ‘Prison’ Deserves a Reappraisal

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As a cinephile who has spent countless hours delving into the depths of Hollywood history, I can confidently say that I have seen my fair share of B-movies and cheesy horror flicks. Yet, none quite compare to the underappreciated gem that is “Prison,” a film that not only showcases a stellar performance from a young Viggo Mortensen but also offers a chilling exploration of the darker side of the prison system.

A significant number of well-known and respected Hollywood actors started their careers in less prestigious horror films before they became widely recognized. One such actor who flew under the radar is Viggo Mortensen, who made his debut in the 1987 movie “Prison.” Over a decade prior to gaining global fame as Aragorn in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and receiving an Oscar nomination, Mortensen played a modest but heroic convict in a prison haunted by a vengeful spirit. Despite garnering only a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, this film merits another look, as it offers genuine jump-scares, a tense atmosphere, and even some unsettling social commentary that remains relevant today.

Before He Was Aragorn, Viggo Mortensen Was in ‘Prison’

The movie focuses on the troubled reopening of the Wyoming State Penitentiary, shut down for over two decades. Not long after the initial group of inmates move in, a vengeful spirit from a past execution starts brutally killing various prisoners and guards. However, the prison’s corrupt warden, played by Lane Smith, blames the inmates and imposes harsher penalties on them. Meanwhile, a resourceful car thief named Burke (played by Mortensen) and a forward-thinking correctional officer named Katherine Walker (the film’s only female character, Chelsea Field) start to question whether the warden is hiding something about the murders.

The character of Burke, sporting a ’50s haircut, displaying a rebellious spirit like James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause” (1955) and Paul Newman in “Cool Hand Luke” (1967), presents an amalgamation. However, there are aspects of Burke that hint at Viggo Mortensen’s more renowned character in “The Lord of the Rings.” Similar to Aragorn, Burke is selfless and courageous, yet enshrouded in a veil of mystery. Moreover, Burke can switch between being gentle and soft-spoken and fierce and intimidating, much like Aragorn, who exhibits this duality.

Above all, much like Aragorn, Burke exudes an aura of respect and admiration from his fellow inmates, which often positions him as the de facto leader during confrontations with guards, the warden, or even a vengeful spirit. While Mortensen’s portrayal in “The Lord of the Rings” rightfully earns Peter Jackson acclaim for his casting choice, it is Renny Harlin who deserves even greater recognition for choosing Mortensen to play a remarkably similar character 14 years earlier, when he was still relatively unknown in Hollywood.

But There Is Far More to This Horror Movie Than Viggo Mortensen

A key element that makes a horror movie effective is its sense of atmosphere. Luckily, the film “Prison” excels in this regard, largely due to being shot at a genuine abandoned prison, the Wyoming State Penitentiary, which serves as the setting for the film itself. The authentic dilapidated look of the prison lends an ominous feel to every interior scene, suggesting that it was better left untouched. The eeriness is amplified during night scenes, where the illumination of cell bars and the sharp shadows cast by pipes on the walls underscore the malevolent presence permeating the penitentiary.

Indeed, since it takes place within a prison, each scene carries an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia, notably in the solitary cells and “the hole,” a dismal underground block where prisoners who misbehave are isolated. The suffocating visual style consistently underscores that many of the potential victims are trapped in enclosed areas with no chance of escape, emphasizing their confinement to the audience.

The execution of the death scenes is notably well-done, blending practical effects with an abundance of gore. These grisly murders bear a striking resemblance to the contemporary “A Nightmare on Elm Street” series, with several cast members from this movie also appearing in that franchise (directed by Renny Harlin, who directed “The Dream Master” in the Krueger series). Similar to the “Nightmare” movies, the death scenes in “Prison” involve inanimate objects moving independently and brutally mutilating victims’ bodies. These exaggerated sequences evoke both fear and humor yet remain unforgettable and highly entertaining. They will undoubtedly appeal to slasher fans who appreciate inventive and absurd death scenes.

The Most Horrifying Thing Is the Prison System

One captivating element of this movie is that the “monster” isn’t the sole danger for the characters; instead, the warden frequently mistreats and takes advantage of the imprisoned men, doing little to shield them from the malicious force trying to eliminate them. This harsh and indifferent behavior towards prisoners reflects a deeply ingrained perspective in American society, one that suggests prison inmates should not be safeguarded or treated with respect. Furthermore, the movie’s theme also delivers a social message.

For instance, the fact that the spirits are victims of capital punishment — meaning the killings are arguably the executioners’ faults to some extent — could be read as an indictment of the death penalty. Additionally, the prisoners are brought to the Penitentiary in the first place because other prisons were full, which calls attention to America’s notorious mass incarceration problem (the United States has 20% of the entire world’s prison population). It’s fair to say that Burke and the other prisoners are not just victims of a vengeful spirit, but also of the dehumanizing prison-industrial system that put them in harm’s way in the first place.

Despite receiving criticism from most critics, the movie “Prison” is more deserving of appreciation than its universal panning suggests. With thought-provoking themes, visually stunning cinematography, chilling and memorable violent scenes, and an outstanding performance by a future cinema legend, it offers a diverse array of enjoyment for viewers. Sadly, the film isn’t available on streaming platforms, but luckily, Shout! Factory released it on Blu-Ray in 2013 (and can be found online with some searching).

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2024-12-25 00:31