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The film tells the story of middleweight boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, whose conviction for a Paterson, New Jersey triple murder was set aside after he had spent almost 20 years in prison. Narrating Carter's life, the film concentrates on the period between 1966 and 1985. It describes his fight against the conviction for triple murder and how he copes with nearly twenty years in prison. In a parallel plot, an underprivileged youth from Brooklyn, Lesra Martin, becomes interested in Carter's life and destiny after reading Carter's autobiography, and convinces his Canadian foster family to commit themselves to his case. The story culminates with Carter's legal team's successful pleas to Judge H. Lee Sarokin of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. In 1966, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was a top-ranked middleweight boxer whom many fans expected to become the world's greatest champion in boxing. When three victims, specifically the club's bartender and a male and a female costumer, were shot to death in a bar in Paterson, New Jersey, Carter and his friend John Artis, driving home from another club in Paterson, were stopped and interrogated by the police. Although the police asserted that Carter and Artis were innocent and thus, "were never suspects," a man named Alfred Bello, a suspect himself in the killings, claimed that Carter and Artis were present at the time of the murders. On the basis of Bello's testimony, Carter and Artis were convicted of murder, claiming that Carter and Artis were the main suspects of the triple homicide in the club, and Carter was given three consecutive life sentences. Throughout the trial, Carter proclaimed his innocence, proving that his African-American race, his boxing career and status and his work as a civil rights activist were the real reasons for his conviction. Eight years later, Bello and a co-suspect, Arthur Bradley, who also claimed that Carter was present at the scene of the crimes, renounced and recanted their testimony. As a result, Carter and Artis were convicted once again. In the early 1980s, Brooklyn teenager Lesra Martin worked with a trio of Canadian activists to push the State of New Jersey to reinvestigate and rescrutinize Carter's case. In 1985, a Federal District Court ruled that the prosecution in Carter's second trial committed "grave constitutional violations" and that his conviction was based on racism rather than facts. Carter was finally freed, and he summed up his story by saying, "Hate got me into this place, love got me out."Read full review
While searching for a movie to watch on a long car trip, I found the movie in a $8.99 bin at the local Wal-Mart, and felt compelled to purchase it since Denzel Washington is an absolutely amazing actor. I had never heard of Rubin Carter or the tragic events he went through, not only in his childhood but also in the prime of his boxing career. It also is a very subtle testiment on the horrible prejudice of racism, making a point while not forcing it. "The Hurricane" has sent chillbumps throughout my body every time I've watched it. After a very troubled childhood, Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter starts the movie at the peak of his boxing career. However, one fateful night would alter his future completely. He is pulled over on his way home from a bar and finds himself accused of three counts of murder in the first degree. The evidence is merely strong racism and prejudice, but is enough for the man to be found guilty (by two all-white juries of "peers") of murder. While serving his three consecutive life terms, the true determination of Carter becomes prevalent in his actions as a prisoner as he writes his detailed account of what had happened to ruin his life (The Sixteenth Round). Years later in Canada, a young black man discovers the book at a secondhand book sale. Little did he know, the autobiography would change his life forever as well. He, along with his tutors, adopt Carter's determination and put forth all of their efforts in an admirable attempt to free the man from his wrongful sentence. I very strongly recommend anyone 17+ (R-rated) to watch this movie AT LEAST once! Denzel delivers an excellent performance, and the movie is brought together in a great dramatic fashion, and will move any person who watches the biographical piece.Read full review
The Hurricane played by Denzel Washington was a gripping account of the life of an American Boxer who had been hated and treated improbably by a dirty police officer. It shows how racism played out in 1950 - 1960's america. I've watched the film a few times now and am moved by the amazing character of this man who spent the majority of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit and his amazing commitment to others for the remaining years of his life.
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"The Hurricane" starring Denzel Washington is one of the most well written, well portrayed movies i have ever seen!! I did used to be a movie buff once upon a time just incase you are saying "well, her opinion doesn't count". It is an inspiring movie & while i do not want to give all the details to give it all away i will give you a summary. Reuben "Hurricane" Carter grew up in Patterson, New Jersey in the 20's, he came from a very poor family & learned the "ways of the streets" as a young boy. He was in & out of trouble & boys homes as a child & made a bitter enemy in the local head of police there, a detective who just had it in for him from the word go! After having all he could take of a life in crime (petty theft, robbery, things along those lines) he joined the Service. He fulfilled his obligations in the service & came back home to start a full life back in his hometown of Patterson. The second he arrived back in town he met his one day to be wife but before he could get the ball rolling he was scooped up by his arch enemy, that detective... and thrown back in jail for "owed time". The Hurricane was bitter; he served his time & when he got out he vowed to never be sent back to jail, married his wife & started what was supposed to be the "rest of his life". He was out one night, ladies night (well, he wasn't convicted of cheating ya know), when a murder took place while he was still out at the club. There was a young fan of his, he was a prize fighter & had a huge fan base, a young fan of his was there & he asked if he could have a ride home since he lived in the same part of town as Hurricane. The young man was so excited to be actually be driving home with Hurricane left alone drive his car (he was asked to drive) he was more than thrilled!!! On the way home they were pulled over by the police & the rest of both their lives would never be the same!!! You really have to see the movie. I hope i gave you enough information to have you as interested as i am about the movie to buy it & see it. You will be amazed how young boy who was scooped up out of the ghetto of Brooklyn, New York & the gang of Canadians he lived with changed the course of Hurricane Carter's life, along with changing the course of their lives as well. It is an awe inspiring story of courage, inspiration & the true meaning of love & what it is to help out your fellow man. I just got chills thinking about the movie & writing that last line. I rate this movie a 5/5 - Excellent but if i could rate it higher i would!! Please do yourself a favor & see this movie. It just can't say enough about it!Read full review
I had another baby 3 years ago (after already having a 12-year-old);all i ever really watch is kids shows & movies. lol. Anyway, have you seen "The Hurricane" starring Denzel Washington??? It is one of the most well written, well portrayed movies i have ever seen. I did used to be a movie buff once upon a time just incase you are saying "well, her opinion doesn't count". It is an inspiring movie & while i do not want to give all the details to give it all away i will give you a summary. Reuben "Hurricane" Carter grew up in Patterson, New Jersey in the 20's, he came from a very poor family & learned the "ways of the streets" as a young boy. He was in & out of trouble & boys homes as a child & made a bitter enemy in the local head of police there, a detective who just had it in for him from the word go! After having all he could take of a life in crime (petty theft, robbery, things along those lines) he joined the Service. He fulfilled his obligations in the service & came back home to start a full life back in his hometown of Patterson. The second he arrived back in town he met his one day to be wife but before he could get the ball rolling he was scooped up by his arch enemy, that detective... and thrown back in jail for "owed time". The Hurricane was bitter; he served his time & when he got out he vowed to never be sent back to jail, married his wife & started what was supposed to be the "rest of his life". He was out one night, ladies night (well, he wasn't convicted of cheating ya know), when a murder took place while he was still out at the club. There was a young fan of his, he was a prize fighter & had a huge fan base, a young fan of his was there & he asked if he could have a ride home since he lived in the same part of town as Hurricane. The young man was so excited to be actually be driving home with Hurricane left alone drive his car (he was asked to drive) he was more than thrilled!!! On the way home they were pulled over by the police & the rest of both their lives would never be the same!!! You really have to see the movie. I hope i gave you enough information to have you as interested as i am about the movie to buy it & see it. You will be amazed how young boy who was scooped up out of the ghetto of Brooklyn, New York & the gang of Canadians he lived with changed the course of Hurricane Carter's life, along with changing the course of their lives as well. It is an awe inspiring story of courage, inspiration & the true meaning of love & what it is to help out your fellow man. I just got chills thinking about the movie & writing that last line. I rate this movie a 5/Excellent but if i could rate it higher i would. Please do yourself a favor & see this movie. It just can't say enough about it!Read full review
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