Paul Newman revels in his role as the sassy and irreverent Luke Jackson, a rebellious prisoner, (sentenced for cutting the heads off parking meters one drunken night!), in one of Florida's notorious prison chain gangs. His refusal to conform wins him the respect of his fellow inmates, but, following the death of his mother, he decides to escape. Newman's role won critical acclaim and an Oscar nomination. A witty and well-observed film, with some very funny scenes, (see the boiled egg race!) find out more...

Powerful drama, based on a true story. Sarandon is superb as the nun whose work counselling Death Row killers brings her uncomfortably close to cold-hearted double murderer Matthew Poncelot (Penn), a man who shows no fear or remorse. Stirring stuff which avoids the usual Hollywood cliches. find out more...

The Marquis de Sade has been locked away in a mental asylum, but he refuses to lie down and accept his fate. With the help of a laundry maid the Marquis continues to find an outlet for his writing and it is only with the arrival of the malevolent Dr Royer-Collard that the grim stink of desperation becomes apparent. The film cultivates an air of sardonic detachment beneath a lascivious leer, it pokes at sexual taboos - it's pretty subversive, considering - but sexuality and creativity are inde find out more...

Three years after entering prison for robbery as a 19-year-old heroin addict, Sherry Swanson begins her first day of freedom clean and sober. A model prisoner, who has undergone personal transformation, she immediately sets out to regain custody of her young daughter Alexis, but life on the outside proves far tougher than Sherry had anticipated and it is only when all seems to be slipping away from her that she realises one small step at a time is better than no step at all. "SherryBaby" is a to find out more...

Adapted from a story by Stephen King, this is the best prison movie you'll ever see. A city banker's life is changed forever when he receives a double life sentence in the notorious Shawshank prison. Freeman is superb as the old-timer who befriends him. A powerfully uplifting tale with a twist. find out more...