Luis Carlos Vasconcelos,
Milhem Cortaz,
Milton Gonçalves,
Ivan de Almeida,
Ailton Graça
... see more 
Brazilian filmmaker Hector Babenco directs the confrontational drama Carandiru, based on the best-selling novel by Dr. Drauzio Varella. The episodic story is set in Sao Paulo's House of Detention (ref... read more
DVD Release Date: September 21, 2004
Stats: 430 reviews
A breathtaking film, that talk about prisoners with AIDS, life in prison, prejudice and homosexuality. All seen by the doctor Drauzio Varella. A true story based on the book Estação Carandiru. Shocking!
One of the best prison based dramas I've seen. Beautifully shot by Walter Carvalho and well directed by Babenco.
This is worth all 2 hours and 28 Minutes of your time. The best movie I've seen in a while and one of the top's when it comes to English Subtitles. This movie is in Portuguese Language so you will have to follow along the subtitles if your knowledge of that language is as limited... read more
the story of a bloody riot in the largest jail in latin america begins with interesting back stories on many of the prisoners. we're drawn in by the characters and the inevitable climax is pretty shattering. manipulative but watchable
Damon Runyon-ish. A collection of stories about the charactrs in a Brazillian prison. building up to a violent riot.
Based on the true story of the Carandiru massacre of 1992. Seen through the eyes of the prison doctor and including several narratives, all leading up to the shocking climax. Worth watching.
Interesting film taking place entirely inside Carandiru prison, a place as vibrant and full of life as it is dangerous, seen through the eyes of its new resident doctor. The film is not a great work, but certainly a joyous one, pulsating with life, and full of bright, interesting... read more
another tough gritty and totally ensnaring film about the other side of Brazil. Despite its sadness, it was still able to portray humanity and beauty.
The movie has a tactile reality. You can almost smell it. Full Review
Despite its structural flaws, Carandiru presents more interesting characters than you'd see in a dozen other prison movies. Full Review
Babenco brings the place and the prisoners alive. Full Review
The two-part structure feels inescapably manipulative. Full Review
It is Carandiru's ability to humanize its central characters -- to make you care about the murderers, thieves, junkies and whores who are Carandiru's citizens, and its doomed heroes -- that gives the ... Full Review
We come to like [the characters], to respect their yearning for redemption, which is why the ending is so powerful. Full Review
Babenco's side trips into the prisoners' lives give the movie a complicated integrity. Full Review
The movie's conclusion -- a re-creation of a 1992 riot in which 111 prisoners were killed -- has staggering impact.
As a 2 1/2-hour sentence to the graybar hotel, the movie can't be topped. Full Review
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