7 Reasons Why Oz Was The Most Groundbreaking TV Show Ever
1. The Harsh Reality
The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are prison masterpieces from one Frank Darabont. Both films reflect on themes of survival and redemption, finding hope in the darkness and of innocent people making their way in a world they’re better than. Great films known for moving many an audience member to tears.
Porridge is a comedy classic from Ronnie Barker about a highly dysfunctional prison prone to comical mishaps. Beloved in its day, prison was more a farce than a nightmare here.
Oz threw such optimism and humour out the window with its brutal nihilism and aforementioned dearth of innocent inmates. Its unceasing study of nastier subjects including gang wars, racism, rape and drug abuse greatly impacted the creative look at the criminal and prison worlds in the years after.
Films such as American History X, Starred Up, A Prophet and Bronson all tackled the gritty brutality of life behind bars unflinchingly. They introduced us to crueller lead characters, frightening situations and more claustrophobic atmospheres. In doing so, they all provided darker, scarier and often more impactful stories than what had come before.