Inmate #1: The Rise of Danny Trejo

Director Brett Harvey takes a thoughtful and very inspiring look at a fascinating individuals life journey. The highs, the lows and the triumphant message of hope keep the viewer entranced. Highly recommended!

Watched the world premiere last night at the Calgary film festival. It was so good. I left the theatre so I inspired. I would recommend this film to everyone.

What a story! The life of well known film star and hard man Danny Trejo is documented in this beautifully put together documentary. The story of his extraordinary life is told by the main man himself along with a really interesting group of family and friends. The story will have you in shock at some of the things he went through and done but in the end will leave truly uplifted and inspired. I can only conclude this by saying I absolutely loved it and didn't want it to end. I will watch this again and again.

This is the second biography of Danny Trejo I have seen. However, this one is very different because instead of others talking about Trejo, most of "Inmate #1" consists of Trejo himself talking about his experiences and telling his life story. Because of this, I think you get to know more about him and appreciate his huge transformation from a street punk to a role model.

While I watched, I was surprised that my wife watched along with me and the story captivated her as well. And, after it was over, she talked and talked about what a nice role model he's become...and how interesting he was in the film. Overall, a truly well made film about one of the most interesting figures in Hollywood.

Danny Trejo is an extraordinary person coming from a very ordinary background and his story doesn't need embellishment, litle movie tricks to garner emotion or other crap like that. And that is why this little documentary is a decent one, not as in relatively good, but as in not disrespecting the viewer. It tells the story and that is it. It does have some people that kind of bring up their own opinions without actually having anything important to say, but they show their support for their friend, so it's OK.

In the film you learn how a Mexican gangbanger went to prison, got a break and never looked back. After more than 365 movies under his belt, Trejo keeps humble and helps other with drug addiction, going to prison to present his points and accepting almost every role thrown his way. I knew some of the story, but it is a great one to be told and I was happy to have seen this documentary. Trejo is 76 years old, still going strong and working as much as ever. Many people from Hollywood could learn from him.

Bottom line: See this old man, with an incredulous look on his face, talk about the life that should have ended him in his youth. He still can't get enough of life. A man to be admired and respected.