what we have here be a compelling piece of low budget horror with a relatively original premise and a cast that be fill with familiar face and one of the most convincing filming location in the history of horror film . so . could anyone please tell me why this movie be so utterly underrated . prison be the finnish director harlin american debut and which still count a his best effort even though he go on make blockbuster hit like die hard 2 and cliffhanger and deep blue sea . the story entirely take place in an ancient and ramshackle wyoming prison and re open for the cause of over population in other and more modern state penitentiary . inside the former execution dungeon and the restless spirit of the electric chair last victim still dwell around . the now promote warden eaton sharpe ( lane smith ) be there already 40 year ago and when this innocent man be put to death and and the spirit still remember his vile role in the unfair trial . it seem that the time for vengeance have finally arrive . viggo mortensen play the good car thief who have to prevent an even large body count and chelsea field be the humane social worker who slowly unravel the secret from the past . prison contain over half a dozen memorable gore sequence but it the unbearably tense atmosphere that will stick to you for certain . unlike any other horror picture from that decade and prison feature an amazing sense of realism . by this and i refer to the authentic scenery and the mood inside the prison wall and of course and and not towards the supernatural murder that be be commit . even though these be genuinely unsettling as well . the film best part be image of realistic and tough prison drama sequence combine with visual mayhem and shock horror . the absolute best terror moment ( provide me with nightmare ever since i saw it at rather young age ) focus on a grizzly death struggle involve barbed wire . haunting . the screenplay only suffer one flaw and but that a common one . almost inevitable and i guess represent clichés . the story introduces nearly every possible stereotype there be in a prison surround . we have get the ugly and fat pervert with his cute boy toy and the cowardly and racist guard avoids confrontation at all cost and naturally the old n wise black con who serve a lifetime ( do i hear anybody yell the name morgan freeman . ) don not stare yourself blind on these clichés be my advise and a there be so many other element to admire . the photography be dark and moist and the mystery be upheld long and successfully and the supportive inmate role of class b actor be excellent ( the fan will recognize tom everett and tom tiny lister and even immortal horror icon kane hodder ) . forget about wes craven god awful attempt shocker or the downright pathetic cheese flick the chair . this be the only prison chiller worth track down . especially consider viggo mortensen peak popularity nowadays ( i heard he star in a successful franchise involve elf and hobbit and other fairy creature . ) this true 80 horror gem oughts to get an urgent dvd release .