a long defunct prison and shut down for over 20 year and be re opened and ethan sharpe ( the late and great character actor lane smith ) and once a guard there and be put in place a warden . a the prisoner be put to work fix the place up and theyre instruct to break into the old execution room . this unleash a fierce spirit that wreak merciless havoc upon both guard and prisoner while cool a can be low key prisoner burke ( viggo mortensen and show real poise in an early role ) be thrust into the role of hero . i know it a no brainer to praise the film for it atmosphere ( it be shoot in an actual abandon penitentiary near rawlins and wyoming ) and but it elevate this horror film to a high level . it get a great sense of foreboding and establish right at the outset . director renny harlin make his fourth directorial effort here while it get him the nightmare on elm street 4 direct gig and effectively begin an impressive career in mainstream action movie and thriller and and horror film . it may have stock character and but it get a capable cast bring them to life represent chelsea field a the young woman vie for prison reform and lincoln kilpatrick a weary veteran convict cresus and tom everett a restless con rabbitt and ivan kane a the outgo lasagna and tommy tiny lister a soft spoken giant tiny and and arlen dean snyder a captain horton . it also worth note a an early acting credit for kane hodder ( a the vengeful spirit ) that help him land the gig of play jason voorhees in the friday the 13th series . decent special effect and moody light courtesy of prolific genre cinematographer mac ahlberg and spooky music by richard band and christopher stone and great visuals and the incredibly gloomy location and and an overall flashy and intense presentation help to make it quite entertain . it nasty and gruesome and and good fun for a horror fan . positive .