The Last Appeal (2016)

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

Prison films are claustrophobic and emotional pieces of cinema. Whether it was The Birdman of Alcatraz, Cool Hand Luke, Escape from Alcatraz, The Green Mile or Shawshank Redemption. These films take us on emotional roller coaster rides.

In 2016 another film took it's place in line with other prison films. That film is The Last Appeal. Now the good folks at Mill Creek Entertainment has released this film on DVD.

The film follows the lives of men living on death row. When Titus Freeman robs a gang leader and a dirty cop in an money exchange, he kills a cop who shows up unexpectedly, he lands on death row. While there he meets a death row preacher Clayton, Randy, an atheist Asian, Kurtis, a hard-nosed white supremacist and Doc, a silent card shark. The lives of the five men not only effect them, but others around them.

Titus figures he will work the legal system and escape judgement. Trisha the wife of the murdered cop is in a prison of her own. But it's not until this life altering secret is exposed that Trisha can escape a prison of her own.

This movie is about forgiveness and redemption. The story is based on a stage play that was taken from church to church and preformed. The story written by Trey Fernald is gripping and emotional.

The acting in this film is exceptional. John Eric Bentley as the preacher Clayton, Jason Sims-Prewitt as Titus, Randy Wu as Randy and Marcus LaVoi as Kurtis. Everyone puts there all in this film. You feel the raw emotion. It was also so cool to hear Steven Curtis Chapman's song "Free".

I have to say this film while it has the Dove Faith Friendly Seal for Ages 12+. There is a very brief racist statement that is made at the very beginning that can be very offensive, but after that the film is a gripping and inspirational story! I enjoyed taking this ride with the 5 men on death row.

The film is presented in widescreen and The transfer of this film to DVD is so clear. There is no signs of degradation in the film. There is no bonus features, which is a shame. But for me having this good of a movie on DVD is more than enough for me.

So if you enjoy prison drama films this one is for you. I can not recommend this enough, for faith based film fans, prison movie fans or drama fans. Head over to www.MillCreekEnt.com for more details on this release and to pick up your copy from your favorite online DVD provider.



Audiences: Families
Moral Rating: A racist comment
Length: 1 hour 55 Minutes
Genre: Drama
DVD Rating: A-
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