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Customer Reviews of The Jericho Mile

And the walls come down...
Watching this made-for-TV movie set in Folsom Penitentiary, one is suddenly struck by the fact that realistic prison dialogue and violence can be accomplished without profanity or graphic gore. Amazing. And it's such a watchable movie, featuring a sexy performance by a young and sinewy Peter Strauss, and a rousing musical theme remniscent of the Rolling Stones' "Sympathy for the Devil". Strauss is Rain Murphy, a lifer/loner who does his time running in the Yard. He turns in fast miles, in basketball shoes on uneven grass. With decent equipment and a little coaching, he might have a shot at an Olympic title. But first he'll need to qualify on an Olympic track -- and a convicted murderer, even a "model" inmate like Murphy, can't get a furlough just for a tryout. So Folsom officials decide to build one within prison walls. "The Jericho Mile" was filmed on location, utilizing the real prison population as extras. The racetrack was actually constructed on-camera by convict labor. Racial strife is a theme of the film, as white inmate Murphy and his black running partner Stiles attract unwanted attention from the Aryan, Muslim, and Chicano gangs vying for "political" supremacy. Will the dream of convict Gold unite the warring factions? Ironically, "The Jericho Mile" actually did, however briefly. This most racially turbulent California penitentiary experienced unprecedented harmony during the filming of the movie. The track built by the interracial work brigade is still there for the use of other Rain Murphys behind the walls.

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An inspirational television classic
When watching the 1979 made-for-television movie "The Jerico Mile," most viewers will be impressed by how well the film has aged. Relevant, stylish and intense, "The Jerico Mile" is arguably one of the great television movies in history. Directed by Michael Mann, who would go on the create "Miami Vice" and such A-list Hollywood films as "Last of the Mohicans," "Heat," and "The Insider," this humane film details life in Folsom Prison and the men who scratch out an existence within its cement walls.

"The Jerico Mile" begins with an extraordinary opening montage, expertly edited with the funky riffs of "Sympathy for the Devil" playing in the background. Within their prison, criminals play handball, deal drugs, lift weights and lounge in frustrated boredom. Standing out is Rain Murphy (Peter Strauss), a loner who endlessly runs around trash cans, sweat poring from his body, muscles tense and glistening, escaping the confines in his own, unique way. Serving a life sentence after murdering his father, Murphy obsessively runs on a daily basis. When he's clocked by the prison warden and psychologist one afternoon, they realize Murphy is achieving Olympic-level times.

Murphy has one friend, a black man and cellmate neighbor (Richard Lawson, in a very good supporting peformance) who runs afoul of the white supremacists led by Dr. D (Brian Dennehy, in one of his earliest roles). A murder takes place, leading to a race riot, and Murphy reluctantly finds himself in the middle of inmate tensions. The prisoners eventually bond, building a race track within the prison, thus giving Murphy a chance to make the Olympic team and run for freedom.

"The Jerico Mile" is a brilliant, symbolic story. Filmed on location, using actual prisoners, Mann went to obvious lengths to achieve utter realism. Strauss won the Emmy for his heartbreaking performance, and deservedly so. When he's not running, his character is a walking time bomb, seething with rage, struggling with a tortured past. His minutes-long monologue when he finally opens up to the prison psychologist is brilliant, hall-of-fame stuff. Strauss' character is never very likeable, constantly on the verge of self destruction, pushing away efforts of the warden and track coach as they attempt to give him a chance for glory. Rain Murphy is running from demons, and they could catch him at any moment.

I would love to see "The Jerico Mile" remade today as a major motion picture, though I cannot imagine an actor giving as good a performance as Strauss. Everything clicks perfectly in "The Jerico Mile." It is a poetic, inspirational achievement, marked by excellent visuals, terrific supporting performances, the fluid direction of Mann, and the stunning performance of Strauss. This is a true television classic, deserving of rediscovery and a quality DVD release.

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Still Applicable today
Being a grouphome parent of six girls (formerly six boys for three years) I have found many lessons learned which helped me in my proffession. The Jericho Mile is an example of how you can still have new hopes and dreams, even if it seems your life is at its absolute lowest point. The movie was filmed perfectly, and still packs a punch today.