''Short Eyes'' is a 1977 American film adaptation of

Miguel Piñero Miguel Piñero (December 19, 1946 – June 16, 1988) was a playwright, actor and co-founder of the Nuyorican Poets Café. He was a leading member of the Nuyorican literary movement. Early years Piñero was born on December 19, 1946, in Gura ...

's play of the same title, directed by Robert M. Young. It was filmed in the Manhattan House of Detention for Men, otherwise known as ''

The Tombs ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the m ...

''. The

Wu-Tang Clan Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affili ...

sampled dialogue from the film for the songs "Let My Niggas Live" and "Gravel Pit" in 2000.

Plot

''Short Eyes'' is set in an unnamed prison in New York City, whose inmates are predominantly African American or Puerto Rican. One day, Clark Davis, a young,

middle-class The middle class refers to a class of people in the middle of a social hierarchy, often defined by occupation, income, education, or social status. The term has historically been associated with modernity, capitalism and political debate. Comm ...

white man accused of

raping Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse or other forms of sexual penetration carried out against a person without their consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority, or a ...

a young girl, arrives on remand. His fellow prisoners immediately turn on him— child rapists are considered the lowest form of prison life—except for Juan, one of the institution's older prisoners, who treats him with dignity. Davis insists he doesn't remember raping the girl, but he admits to Juan that he has

molested Sexual abuse or sex abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another. Molestation often refers to an instance of sexual assau ...

several other children. The prosecution's case against Davis is weak and, unless Juan tells prison authorities about Davis' confessions to him, it is only a matter of time before he is set free. As Juan struggles with what to do, the other prisoners plan to get rid of Davis permanently.

Cast

Music

Curtis Mayfield Curtis Lee Mayfield (June 3, 1942 – December 26, 1999) was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, and one of the most influential musicians behind soul and politically conscious African-American music.

wrote the film's score, and appears in the film as a prisoner performing the song "Do Do Wap Is Strong In Here". The soundtrack was released on Mayfield's

Curtom Records Curtom Records was a record label started in 1968 by Curtis Mayfield and Impressions manager Eddie Thomas. The label's name was a combination of Mayfield's first name and Thomas' last name. Mayfield had previously made attempts at a record lab ...

References

External links

* * 1977 films 1977 drama films American prison films American films based on plays American drama films Films directed by Robert M. Young Films about pedophilia 1977 directorial debut films Films set in New York City Films set in prison Films shot in New York City 1970s English-language films 1970s American films {{1970s-drama-film-stub