Shakespeare Behind Bars (2005)

IMDb plot summary: Twenty male inmates in a Kentucky prison form an unlikely Shakespearean acting troupe.
Directed by Hank Rogerson.

As someone who believes strongly in the transformative power of the arts, I found this documentary extremely compelling. Hearing the inmates talk about their own views on the crimes that got them in there, their attitude toward rehabilitation, and how the theatre program has helped them channel themselves, is really fascinating. From a technical standpoint, the documentary is well-done also. It's quick and goes back and forth between rehearsals, character studies, and interviews with the various men involved, and the 90 minutes of film just seem to fly by. Definitely worth a watch, especially for anyone even remotely interested in theatre.

4 stars.

How it entered my Flickchart:
Shakespeare Behind Bars > A Little Night Music
Shakespeare Behind Bars > The Artist
Shakespeare Behind Bars < Benny & Joon
Shakespeare Behind Bars < Back to the Future Part III
Shakespeare Behind Bars > Four Lions
Shakespeare Behind Bars > Cheaper by the Dozen
Shakespeare Behind Bars < Hard Candy
Shakespeare Behind Bars > The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
Shakespeare Behind Bars < Center Stage
Shakespeare Behind Bars > We're Not Married!
Final spot: #486 out of 2459.