Riot in Cell Block 11
- Emile Meyer: Warden Reynolds
- Frank Faylen: Commissioner Haskell
- Leo Gordon: "Crazy" Mike Carnie
- Robert Osterloh: "Colonel "
- Paul Frees: Monroe
- Whit Bissell: Snader
Terror in block 11 (Original Title: Riot in Cell Block 11) is a twisted black and white American prison film directed by Don Siegel in 1954.
Action
The film begins with a brief report about riots in U.S. prisons. In a press conference said Richard A. McGee, spokesperson for the American Prison Association, a reason for the riots was the neglect of the prisons from the public and those responsible in politics. As long as this does not change that he considers future uprisings likely.
Block above 11 four guards hostage: In a prison thosespecified unspecified occupants of the take " punishment block " ( " punishment block" original). The for robbery sentenced James V. Dunn and the violent "Crazy" Mike Carnie take command. Dunn, spokesman for the inmates demanded by the reform-minded warden Reynolds, to be able to make a statement in the presence of the press. The governor, who rejects negotiations with the rebels, sending a deputy commissioner Haskell. During the first press conference that uses Dunn to draw attention to the unacceptable conditions of detention in his eyes, Crazy Mike Haskell injured with a knife.
The next day, close the occupants of another block to the insurgents, but the revolt is crushed by a delegation of the State Police. In this case, a prisoner is killed. In another press event Dunn reads his demands: he requires, among other things, the separation of normal occupants and criminally insane, a work program for prisoners and amnesty for all those involved in the uprising. The corresponding statement is to be signed by him, Reynolds and the governor.
Later there will be clashes in the ranks of the prisoners of Block 11, where Dunn is injured. They form two groups at Crazy Mike and the considered acting " Colonel," but whose supporters are in the minority. As taken from state side prepare for a blast of the outer wall, so that the security forces can not enter and exit the revolt, chains the insurgents their hostages and the Colonel provided on the site for blowing up on. Finally, the Governor signed Dunns Policy. The hostages are freed, the rebellion has ended.
Two weeks later, Dunn is called Reynolds in office. There he learns that the amnesty for the rebels has been judicially declared invalid. Dunn could face up to 30 years in prison, Reynolds himself was asked by Haskell to resign. The positive aspect, as Reynolds, was obtained by the revolt of the attention of the press and the public and the prospect of being able to enforce long overdue improvements in prison conditions. Dunn returns dejectedly back to his pad.
Background
Terror in Block 11 was produced by the specialized in low-budget productions studio Allied Artists, which had emerged from the studio Monogram Pictures. Trigger for the project were the conditions in the prison in which producer Walter Wanger in 1952 had served a four -month prison sentence. Terror in block 11 was created with a budget of 225,000 dollars and was partially filmed in an abandoned building in Folsom Prison. The film was the first of several productions in which Sam Peckinpah acted as a dialogue director for Don Siegel.
Terror in block 11 started in February / March 1954 in the U.S. and on 22 March 1955 in the FRG.
Criticism
" A precise directed and played dramatic reportage, which is involved in spite of all lurid moments credible and impressive for social reform in the former penitentiary beings. "
Awards
1955 Terror in block 11 were nominated for Best Picture and Best Foreign Actor Neville Brand for the British Film Academy Award. Don Siegel was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for best feature film director. None of the nominees received one of the prizes.