An family man named Ben (I think) kills a home-invader in what he thinks is self-defense. Since it happens on his lawn, and he has the misfortune of living in the People's Republic of California, he goes to jail.
The movie is about the Ben's survival in prison, as he adapts to the rules of the new society, attempting to survive both the sadistic race wars between the prison gangs and the sadistic guards who bet on gladiator-style games between the prisoners.
Ben shares a cell with John Smith played by Val Kilmer. Smith's family was killed by two thugs, and he cut down their family trees in an attempt to give them the same madness they gave him. He's an unruly warrior/philosopher, and takes in Ben, shows him the ropes.
The movie builds towards a showdown with the (very) evil guards, and by the end of the movie, the worst of humanity has shown traits seen in the best of humanity, heroes have shown themselves, and people have died in ways that simultaneously make you really happy and wishing they'd suffered more for what they'd done.
Excellent movie. 2/3s of it is an unrelentingly abyssal slog of depression. Despite this, it seems realistic and well made. Well worth watching, but I can't imagine wanting to own it.
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