As a big fan of 'Shank', I have to say 'Release' was a disappointment.The plot was fragmented and not very interesting, a lot of things that are happening, you don't understand until later in the film.The depiction of prison life is also very unrealistic (for example, guards restraining an inmate to stop him from helping another inmate being beaten to death (or almost) by other inmates). I think the movie depicts more the public's nightmarish perception of prison, as opposed to prison life in reality.I also didn't like the main antagonist, played by Bernie Hodges. He's a decent actor, but I just could not buy him in this role. He was trying too hard to be smooth, laid back, while being manipulative and controlling. I just didn't believe it. The ending doesn't make sense to me either, but I can't give it away without spoiling.I will also mention positive aspects of this film: I liked Wayne Virgo's performance. I like this young actor, he leaves an impact. The lead character Daniel Brockelbank is decent enough too, as well as Garry Summers. It was also fun to see Simon Pearce appear in this movie (director and camera operator of 'Shank' and this movie). Some creepy nightmare scenes were also well done.

Possible spoiler alert.I must say that I am not always moved by a movie. I watch, I move on. Not so with this movie. I became so interested, so wrapped up, so invested in the characters and story that when the ending came and it was not what I was hoping for I was literally moved to frustration. This movie did what a good movie does. It got you wrapped up in the story and the characters and led you on an emotional ride. I come from an island where homosexuality and the homosexual lifestyle is still a crime and punishable. Parts of this story resonated with me because I was told the exact same thing that the priest in the movie told the main character. This is a movie well worth seeing. All I can say is "Well done, well done"!

I have to see SHANK after seeing this film. Found it in my local gay bookshop and had an afternoon to spare lying on the sofa. All I can say is thank goodness I watched it during the day with the curtains open. I despair of the comments that have been viciously and unnecessarily negatively posted on this film. It belies it's low budget to fill the screen with an engaging story told with devices reminiscent of older films and pioneered by the greats like Hitchcock and Polanski.The story and setting combined with clever flashbacks and time shifts as well as a horrible nightmare sequence enable you as a viewer to see through some of the less natural performances and remain glued to the what unfolds. On the making of on the DVD they revealed what the location was used for when not being filmed in and I was amazed at this revelation - it was very cleverly used. The central cast lead by Daniel Brocklebank and supported by Garry Sumers and Bernie Hodge all gave strong performances and depth to their characters. I liked this film a lot - this isn't the best review ever written I realise but if you like clever storytelling and well made films this is one to try.

Wow these guys know how to take a tired market that has become swollen with pretty poor product and looked the gay audience in the face and said - you don't have to watch all that mundane,clichéd crap - you can endure and watch decent and well made films with central gay characters. They did it with SHANK and blew audiences away and with RELEASE they have gone further.This is a chilling prison drama that draws you into the claustrophobia of the nondescript prison from from one. Father Gillie, stripped of his priestly garb and is marched through the recognisable process of being showered and dressed in prison clothes. Housed in his cell with a younger troubled man it doesn't take long before rumours abound that the Priest is really a paedophile. Now an easy target thanks to the insinuations he becomes hunted. Security comes in the form of a prison guard who befriends him and with whom love and an affair develops. When safely behind locked doors their illicit relationship blossoms and only then do we learn of the true crime that has put our priest inside...You will be drawn in, feel uncomfortable with the claustrophobia of the prison, the atmosphere is oppressively scary and you will become emotionally overcome at the true confession of his crime. BUT more importantly you will want more than anything for Father Gillie to get out and to be with his new lover, Officer Martin Crane.It's deep, dark and very moving. Great performances from all the cast....all I can say is you'll never look at surgical blue gloves in the same way every again after seeing this film......