"Shakespeare Behind Bars" is one of those documentaries that's hard not to like, not just because of its subject matter, but the fact that it is just as entertaining as it is enlightening. It's funny, ironic, even touching at times, with a central 'story' that would make a great fictional film, but is all the more rewarding because it IS a documentary.

Curt Tofteland is a stage director who, for several years, has volunteered his time at Luther Luckett Prison for the Shakespeare Behind Bars program, in which inmates are cast in and rehearse for months for a single performance of a Shakespeare play. This time, it is "The Tempest," a bit ironic being that one of the central themes of the play (and this film, for that matter) is forgiveness. Many of the inmates featured committed some attrotious crimes, and have been cast in roles which sometimes reflect themselves, or the reasons for their incarcerations. And, like the best fiction, there are plot turns, such as when two members of the troupe end up having to bow out after being sentenced to solitary confinement. While the footage of rehearsals is constantly entertaining (these guys are really working their butts off to put on a good performance), what really makes the film special are, through interviews, the struggles many inmates have in coming to terms with themselves and their pasts while they work on the play. Though not subjective by any means, the film is sympathetic toward them without condoning what they've done, and does a tremendous job getting us to care what happens to several of them, even a convicted child molester whose remorse is obvious, as is his dim hope that he'll someday be remembered for something other than his crimes. In other words, we learn so much about these guys (just when they're learning things about themselves) that we cease to simply identify them based solely on their status as prison inmates.

The movie is shot on video and presented in 1.78:1 widescreen, and for the most part, the image is clean and sharp. The audio is rendered in 2.0 Dolby Digital. Nothing spectacular, but it does the job nicely, and the track is free of distortion.

Three commentaries are provided, one by director Hank Rogerson & producer Jilann Spitzmiller, which is pretty good. But far more interesting and entertaining are the two commentaries by some of the inmates involved (if nothing else, there isn't another commentary on any DVD who can boast that). Also revealing is a text update of several of the cast members since this film was released, one of which might almost break your heart. Finally, some deleted scenes and extra performance footage is included.

Entertaining, informative and ultimately enlightening, "Shakespeare Behind Bars" is everything a documentary should be, and even though we don't approve of what the subjects of the movie have done in the past, the film does a great job making us care what happens to a lot of them. Highly recommended.