Product Details

• Actors: Danny Hoch, Elvis Costello, Q-Tip, Eric McCollum, Denee Rivera
• Directors: Darnell Martin
• Writers: Q-Tip, Darnell Martin
• Producers: Q-Tip, Darnell Martin, Brad Epstein, Jane Rosenthal, Richard Guay
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: R (Restricted)
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• DVD Release Date: January 14, 2003
• Run Time: 94 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007BK2S
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #43,123 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Prison Song" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

The american dream is at odds with the american justice system in this story of the deterioration of the soul of one inner city african american male. Raised primarily in group homes elijah lifts himself up through art & education. When a full college scholarship is revoked frustration & anger take over. Studio: New Line Home Video Release Date: 02/20/2007 Starring: Q-tip Brandon E Brooks Run time: 90 minutes Rating: R Director: Darnell Martin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Movie with a message, August 31, 2003

By 

BookWoman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prison Song (DVD)

Q-tip, Fat Joe, and Mary J Blige give good performances, especially Q-tip. His character has it all going on in the inside and is very quiet on the outside but I still got completely absorbed in what he was going through. The musical sequences blend well too. Just when you're about to punch a wall because of what's happening to the characters, somebody lets loose with a song that expresses the emotions that the movie is bringing up. Mary J. Blige is the queen of from-the-heart songs, and Fat Joe has a rap cameo that slides seamlessly into the scene.

Aside from the individual elements, the movie takes aim at one of the worst qualities of our society, the lousy deck dealt to black men growing up in urban city neighborhoods. It dramatizes - but not by much - the way that opportunities are systematically stripped from you in a society where you're rarely respected or afforded the benefit of the doubt. Definitely a worthwhile movie.

Only one thing - I missed the first five minutes of the movie, and suspect I was better off for it. The beginning lists some stastics that indicate the direction the plot will eventually take, and lends a more moralizing, heavy tone to the movie. Without the intro, the movie stands well by itself and affects you without telling you how you should be affected.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Better Examples of a Prison Film, February 14, 2003

By 

Sal Paradise "ethanallen95" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prison Song (DVD)

I saw the edited version of this film which did little justice to the actual film which I found to run like a stage play not to say that this is a bad thing. Prison Song is one of the better examples of films on the "prison" theme. I would say the best one was perhaps the classic Cool Hand Luke, but in post-modern times we have OZ which some of said has lost some of it's focus. Though Prison Song is not as in depth as perhaps OZ is, it's still worth at least a rental. For those who are irritated by musicals, you may want to consider renting before buying. If you do purchase this film, you won't be disappointed.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of The Best, January 13, 2004

By 

"chung220" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prison Song [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The BET movie Prison Song was one of the best movies I've ever seen before. I was wondering, why wasn't the movies put into theatres all across the world, this movie was a huge hit for Bet. This question is for anyone out there who may know the answer, exactly how can I get the soundtrack to Prison Song. I know it's on Tommy Boy records but thats all I know. If someone has any information please contact me via e-mail, [e-mail]. Thanks