Chain Gang (1950) Original Folded Movie Poster

Chain Gang is a 1950 crime drama directed by Lew Landers that follows a daring journalist who goes undercover as a convict to expose corruption and brutality in a Southern prison labor camp. Once inside, he witnesses firsthand the harsh conditions, abusive guards, and exploitation of inmates forced to work on infrastructure projects for profit. As he gathers evidence, he risks becoming trapped in the very system he's trying to expose. The film delivers a tense mix of suspense and social commentary, echoing earlier prison dramas while criticizing institutional cruelty and the commodification of punishment.