Short Eyes (1977)

Though time and HBO's Oz have eclipsed its ground-breaking impact, Short Eyes remains a milestone of American independent film, and a vital entry in the prison-film genre. Adapted by Miguel Piñero from his acclaimed play, this gritty drama was filmed in Manhattan's infamous Men's House of Detention (better known as "the Tombs"), giving a rough, authentic edge to Piñero's unflinching portrait of men trapped in legal-system limbo. Inmate tensions intensify when an alleged pedophile ("Short Eyes" in prison slang, played by Bruce Davison) is dropped into detention, and instantly ostracized by white, Latino, and black inmates alike. Under the documentary-like direction of Robert M. Young, this claustrophobic, emotionally raw study of hopelessness was a real eye-opener for its time (1977), revealing depths of anguish, danger, and cruelty that had never before been dramatized on film. Paving the way for harsher prison dramas that followed, Short Eyes features Piñero in a supporting role, and look closely for Traffic's Luis Guzmán in his screen debut. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

High Prison Drama

"Short Eyes" is not the average prison film.
So if you watch the movie with preconceived ideas
about Hollywood prison life, most likely you
won't like the movie. While all the ingredients of
an accurate inmate experience are included,
it's done so in an intelligent, suggested manner.
There is no sex, no nudity, and minimal violence (though
nonetheless graphic is the violence that does appear).
The lack of these elements would normally turn most
people off who are interested in standard prison flicks.
However, the shortage of visual shock elements works
to the film's advantage. Why? Basically, the viewer
is "forced" to concentrate on the most important feature
of the film: the excellent script/dialogue.

"Short Eyes" invites the viewer into inmate life and examines
the struggles, hypocrisies, and triumphs that exist. This
film is all about the characters and how they survive in a
world that has marginalized them to the point of nonexistance.
In response, the inmates have created their own world. Adequate time
is given to character development, which is a feature of any great film.
The verbal interactions are entertaining and emotionally effective.
The script is a surprisingly direct, straight-from-the-streets dialogue
that you rarely find outside a real life documentary.

"Short Eyes" comes off as a stylized stage production, as it
originally was. No frills; just straight, entertaining drama.
It's a worthwhile film for drama fans.

Also, Curtis Mayfield (who plays a bit part in the film) scored
an uncelebrated, but remarkable soundtrack for the movie. Actually,
"Short Eyes," in general, has been underrated and uncelebrated.
However, that doesn't disqualify it's brilliance. May 15, 2007

Jesus help me, 'cause man won't.

"Short Eyes," based on the play by Miguel Pinero, is probably the first prison drama to tell what life in prison is really like. For example, violence is not dramatic in the movie- it's casual and unexpected. In one scene, a prisoner is mopping the floor, and someone puts his arm into the gate just as it's closing, breaking his arm. Several other prisoners take cheap shots at him as they walk by. In addition, there's definitely a sense that there's danger and tension just below the surface every day; not even the well-respected prisoners are ever completely safe.

The plot concerns Clark Davis, an alleged child rapist, who is immediately ostracized by the guard and his fellow inmates. In one harrowing scene, the inmates, led by "Longshoe" Murphy, inflict "psychological violence" on Davis, as the director puts it in the commentary. Murphy is the only white inmate who the black and Puerto Rican inmates respect, and he despises Davis both because of his crime and because he feels that he reflects badly on the other white inmates. The only prisoner who shows any empathy to Davis is Juan, a well-respected Puerto Rican. At one point, Clark confesses to Juan that he has struggled with pedophilia all his life and that he "just can't stop himself." It's hinted that Davis did not receive due process in the line-up, and that it's only a matter of time before he's released, but it is made clear that he has molested girls before. With this knowledge, Juan is torn between trying to help Davis and the responsibility he feels towards keeping him from molesting again. A council of representatives from the ethnic groups in prison feel that he must die, and not even Juan may be able to save him.

"Short Eyes" is a compelling movie. The profanity and brutality, though mild today for jaded viewers, was pushing the envelope in its time. It does have some flaws, however. In the commentary, the director mentioned that the play was rather rambling, and that they had to compress the scenes together for a movie to work. They generally succeeded, but much of the movie, particularly the beginning, has a staged feel. In the first 30 minutes before Davis shows up, different characters are explored; this would work in a play, but not so much on film. There's also a scene, not in the play, where the prisoners jam out; they're led by Curtis Mayfield, who wrote the soundtrack. This really adds nothing to the movie, and in fact slows it down. The quality of the footage is not great either. But overall, this is a powerful film, and must-see for fans of prison dramas and 70s cinema. April 24, 2007

movie

shipment was fast, the dvd was what we were looking for.
thank you for your service October 21, 2005

nothing short in these eyes

I remember seeing this as a teenager and thinking to myself this is not Willard.Although Bruce Davidson is as creepy in Short Eyes as he was in Willard these are two different animals.This movie paved it's way toward more harsher prison films later on this one marks Lois Guzman's screen debut and at first I missed him.Yepper he's that quick in the scene.Although Short Eyes isn't awardwinning by any standards It still gets under my skin only because of the news and widespread topics centering on Pedophiles.It's nice to see these movies resurface again to take my mind off of the junk that's out there. Not to mention any names....CHILD'S PLAY 3 OOOOPS SORRY!!!! July 2, 2005

Tough little film

"Short Eyes" was released in 1977 and stars a multi-ethnic cast playing inmates in a Sing-Sing style prison. The prisoners belong to tight groups, divided primarily along racial lines, and co-exist with relatively little violence. They even have a "council," comprised of the leaders of the various groups, that establishes acceptable actions for the prisoners. Into this composition comes Bruce Davison, an alleged child molester, who the prisoners dub "freak" and "short eyes." The story is told rather loosely and episodically, as it moves toward its inevitable but gritty conclusion.

In 1977, "Short Eyes" must have seemed shatteringly realistic and harrowing. Today, the film feels a bit stagy; not surprisingly, the screenplay was based on a play - by noted Puerto Rican playwright, Miguel Pinero (he also has a small part as Go Go). Despite this flaw, the characterizations are solid and the acting is often quite good; Freddy Fender and Curtis Mayfield even show up to sing some songs! In addition, the film explores prison race relations in a startlingly frank and credible manner. Overall, the film is one of the better prison dramas and likely to appeal to fans of 70s cinema.

The DVD extras include an interesting commentary track with the film's director Robert Young as well as director Leon Ichaso, who made "Pinero" based on the life of the playwright. Unfortunately, the film is not subtitled, which would be helpful with the considerable jargon and the rapid-fire delivery of the inmates.
December 19, 2004

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