Unchained (film)

Unchained is a 1955 American prison drama film directed by Hall Bartlett and starring Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, Barbara Hale, and Chester Morris. The film is based on the non-fiction book Prisoner's Hope by Kenyon J. Scudder, a real-life penologist who served as superintendent of the California Institution for Men at Chino. Scudder also appears in the film as himself.

The film tells the story of inmates at the Chino prison, which was known for its progressive and rehabilitative approach to incarceration. The plot follows several prisoners as they grapple with their pasts and try to adjust to prison life, while also exploring the efforts of Scudder to offer them a chance at redemption. One central narrative involves Steve Davitt (Hirsch), a man imprisoned for manslaughter, who struggles with the decision to try to escape and return to his wife (Hale) and family.

Unchained is notable for its use of location filming at the California Institution for Men and its cast, which included several real inmates. The film's theme song, also titled "Unchained," was written by Alex North and Hy Zaret and performed by Todd Duncan. The song became a major hit, especially the Les Baxter Orchestra instrumental version retitled "Unchained Melody," which went on to become a popular standard and was famously featured in the 1990 film Ghost.