Monroe Hutchens is the heavyweight champion of Sweetwater, a maximum security prison. He was convicted to a life sentence due to a passionate crime. Iceman Chambers is the heavyweight champion, who lost his title due to a rape conviction to ten years in Sweetwater. When these two giants collide in the same prison, they fight against each other disputing who is the real champion.
Acting
Wesley Snipes brings quiet dignity to a thankless role.
Direction
Walter Hill's lean, efficient staging of the climactic bout.
Director
Walter Hill
Wesley Snipes
Monroe Hutchen
Ving Rhames
George 'Iceman' Chambers
Peter Falk
Mendy Ripstein
Michael Rooker
A.J. Mercker
Jon Seda
Jesus 'Chuy' Campos
Wes Studi
Mingo Pace
Fisher Stevens
James 'Ratbag' Kroycek
Dayton Callie
Yank Lewis
Amy Aquino
Darlene Early
Johnny Williams
Al
Nils Allen Stewart
Vern Van Zant
Denis Arndt
Warden Lipscom
Ed Lover
Marvin Bonds
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Wesley Snipes did most of his own fighting choreography, drawing on his actual martial arts background.
Walter Hill conceived this as a deliberate throwback to lean 1970s genre films — no subplots, no romance, just conflict.
US
