fbpx
Wikipedia

Riot in Cell Block 11

January 14, 2024

Riot in Cell Block 11 is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by Don Siegel and starring Neville Brand, Emile Meyer, Frank Faylen, Leo Gordon and Robert Osterloh.[2] Director Quentin Tarantino called it "the best prison film ever made."[3]

Riot in Cell Block 11
Theatrical release poster
Directed byDon Siegel
Screenplay byRichard Collins
Produced byWalter Wanger
StarringNeville Brand
Emile Meyer
Frank Faylen
Leo Gordon
Robert Osterloh
Narrated byJames Matthews
CinematographyRussell Harlan
Edited byBruce B. Pierce
Music byHerschel Burke Gilbert
Production
company
Walter Wanger Productions
Distributed byAllied Artists Pictures
Release date
  • February 28, 1954 (1954-02-28) (United States)
Running time
80 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$298,780[1]
Box office$1,531,755[1]

Plot edit

One night, several prison inmates take guards prisoner to protest brutal conditions in their prison. They then make their demands known to prison warden Reynolds (Emile Meyer), a liberal-minded administrator who has complained for many years about the same conditions. James V. Dunn (Neville Brand), the prisoners' leader, meets the press outside the cell block and makes demands that they will no longer tolerate the brutal guards, substandard food, overcrowding, and barely livable conditions.

The next day inmates from two other blocks start a riot but they are forced back into the cell blocks by the state police. Negotiations between the inmates and prison officials are stymied by the state politicians who do not want to make any concessions.

Meanwhile, factions within the prisoners begin to vie for power and control within the rebellious cell block. At the same time, the state police are given the go ahead to blow a hole in the wall to end the siege. But unknown to them, the inmates inside create a human shield by tying the hostages to the interior wall.

Just in the nick of time, the governor agrees to sign a petition from the prisoners. The riot ends when the inmates see the next-day newspapers saying that they had won. But it is a pyrrhic victory for the leader, Dunn. Two weeks later he is called to the warden's office. The state legislature had overturned the governor's signature thus repudiating all the prisoners' demands.

The Warden tells Dunn that he will stand trial for leading the riot and taking hostages, charges that will mostly likely mean an additional 30-year sentence. But the Warden, who explains that he is to be replaced, tells Dunn that he did get a small victory: the mentally-ill inmates are to be moved to asylums and some prisoners will be paroled. The Warden tells Dunn that his actions were front-page news which may bring about some good.[4]

Cast edit

Production edit

The downbeat ending is indicative of the realistic social commentary prevalent throughout the film. The producer Walter Wanger had recently been in prison for shooting his wife's lover, and his experience there motivated this production. The film was shot on location at Folsom State Prison with real inmates and guards playing background roles.[5] Siegel agreed to direct the movie over eight weeks for a flat fee of $10,000.[6]

Riot in Cell Block 11 was the first film work for Sam Peckinpah. Peckinpah was hired as a third assistant casting director by Don Siegel. Reportedly, the warden was reluctant to allow the filmmakers to work at Folsom Prison until he was introduced to Peckinpah. The warden knew his influential family of judges from Fresno, California, and immediately became cooperative.

Actor Leo Gordon, who plays hardened convict Carney, had served five years in San Quentin State Prison for armed robbery. Because of this, the warden at Folsom originally objected to Gordon appearing in the film, but Siegel convinced him that Gordon was no threat to the prison.[7]

Siegel's location work and his use of actual prisoners as extras made a lasting impression on Peckinpah's later career. He would work as an assistant to Siegel on four additional films including Private Hell 36 (1954), An Annapolis Story (1955), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and Crime in the Streets (1956).[8]

Reception edit

Box office and exhibition edit

Upon its initial release in the United Kingdom the film was banned.[9]

The film made a profit of $297,702.[1]

Critical response edit

“[A]though it never needs to take off its hat to any of its brash predecessors for lack of hard, cruel detail, Riot in Cell Block 11 maintains such a disciplined grip on reality that it acquires the authority of a documentary.”—Film critic Paul Beckley in the New York Herald, February 19, 1954.[10]

When the film was first released, New York Times film critic A.H. Weiler, gave the film a positive review and its social commentary. He wrote, "The grim business of melodrama behind prison walls, so often depicted in standard, banal fashion in films, is given both tension and dignity in Riot in Cell Block 11, which erupted onto the Mayfair's screen yesterday. Although it is explosive enough to satisfy the most rabid of the "cons versus 'screws'" school of moviegoer, it also makes a sincere and adult plea for a captive male society revolting against penal injustices. In its own small way, Riot in Cell Block 11 is a realistic and effective combination of brawn, brains and heart ... Riot in Cell Block 11, in short, punches and preaches with authority."[11]

The staff at Variety magazine also praised the film, writing, "The pros and cons of prison riots are stated articulately in the Richard Collins screen story, and producer Walter Wanger uses a realistic, almost documentary, style to make his point for needed reforms in the operation of penal institutions ... A standout performance is given by Emile Meyer, the warden who understands the prisoners’ problems."[12]

Awards edit

Nominations

See also edit

Footnotes edit

  1. ^ a b c Matthew Bernstein, Walter Wagner: Hollywood Independent, Minnesota Press, 2000 p445.
  2. ^ Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954) at the TCM Movie Database.
  3. ^ Tarantino, Quentin (22 December 2019). . New Beverly Cinema. Archived from the original on 23 March 2020. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  4. ^ Kass, 1975 p. 115-118: Plot summary
  5. ^ "Riot in Cell Block 11 Film Review". timeout.com. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  6. ^ Bernstein, Matthew (2000). Hollywood Independent. pp. 289–291.
  7. ^ Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954) - Notes at the TCM Movie Database.
  8. ^ Weddle, David (1994). If They Move...Kill 'Em!. Grove Press. pp. 116–119. ISBN 0-8021-3776-8.
  9. ^ "Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2007-02-24.
  10. ^ Kass, 1975 p. 118: quoted here. And p. 191: “Notes”, footnote no. 29 for source
  11. ^ A. W. (1954-02-19). "At the Mayfair". The New York Times. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  12. ^ Variety. Staff film review, 1954. Accessed: July 20, 2013.

Sources edit

  • Kass, Judith M. (1975). Don Seigel: The Hollywood Professionals, Volume 4 (1975 ed.). New York: Tanvity Press. p. 207. ISBN 0-498-01665-X.

External links edit

January 14, 2024
riot, cell, block, 1954, american, film, noir, crime, film, directed, siegel, starring, neville, brand, emile, meyer, frank, faylen, gordon, robert, osterloh, director, quentin, tarantino, called, best, prison, film, ever, made, theatrical, release, posterdire. Riot in Cell Block 11 is a 1954 American film noir crime film directed by Don Siegel and starring Neville Brand Emile Meyer Frank Faylen Leo Gordon and Robert Osterloh 2 Director Quentin Tarantino called it the best prison film ever made 3 Riot in Cell Block 11Theatrical release posterDirected byDon SiegelScreenplay byRichard CollinsProduced byWalter WangerStarringNeville BrandEmile MeyerFrank FaylenLeo GordonRobert OsterlohNarrated byJames MatthewsCinematographyRussell HarlanEdited byBruce B PierceMusic byHerschel Burke GilbertProductioncompanyWalter Wanger ProductionsDistributed byAllied Artists PicturesRelease dateFebruary 28 1954 1954 02 28 United States Running time80 minutesCountryUnited StatesLanguageEnglishBudget 298 780 1 Box office 1 531 755 1 Contents 1 Plot 2 Cast 3 Production 4 Reception 4 1 Box office and exhibition 4 2 Critical response 4 3 Awards 5 See also 6 Footnotes 7 Sources 8 External linksPlot editOne night several prison inmates take guards prisoner to protest brutal conditions in their prison They then make their demands known to prison warden Reynolds Emile Meyer a liberal minded administrator who has complained for many years about the same conditions James V Dunn Neville Brand the prisoners leader meets the press outside the cell block and makes demands that they will no longer tolerate the brutal guards substandard food overcrowding and barely livable conditions The next day inmates from two other blocks start a riot but they are forced back into the cell blocks by the state police Negotiations between the inmates and prison officials are stymied by the state politicians who do not want to make any concessions Meanwhile factions within the prisoners begin to vie for power and control within the rebellious cell block At the same time the state police are given the go ahead to blow a hole in the wall to end the siege But unknown to them the inmates inside create a human shield by tying the hostages to the interior wall Just in the nick of time the governor agrees to sign a petition from the prisoners The riot ends when the inmates see the next day newspapers saying that they had won But it is a pyrrhic victory for the leader Dunn Two weeks later he is called to the warden s office The state legislature had overturned the governor s signature thus repudiating all the prisoners demands The Warden tells Dunn that he will stand trial for leading the riot and taking hostages charges that will mostly likely mean an additional 30 year sentence But the Warden who explains that he is to be replaced tells Dunn that he did get a small victory the mentally ill inmates are to be moved to asylums and some prisoners will be paroled The Warden tells Dunn that his actions were front page news which may bring about some good 4 Cast editNeville Brand as James V Dunn Emile Meyer as Warden Reynolds Frank Faylen as Commissioner Haskell Leo Gordon as Crazy Mike Carnie Robert Osterloh as The Colonel Paul Frees as Guard Monroe Don Keefer as Reporter Alvy Moore as Gator Dabbs Greer as Schuyler Whit Bissell as Snader James Anderson as Guard Acton Carleton Young as Guard Captain Barrett Harold J Kennedy as Reporter William Schallert as Reporter Jonathan Hole as Reporter Russell Robert Patten as Frank William Phipps as Mickey Joel Fluellen as Al Roy Glenn as Guard Delmar Joe Kerr as Mac John Tarangelo as Manuel Robert Burton as Guard AmbroseProduction editThe downbeat ending is indicative of the realistic social commentary prevalent throughout the film The producer Walter Wanger had recently been in prison for shooting his wife s lover and his experience there motivated this production The film was shot on location at Folsom State Prison with real inmates and guards playing background roles 5 Siegel agreed to direct the movie over eight weeks for a flat fee of 10 000 6 Riot in Cell Block 11 was the first film work for Sam Peckinpah Peckinpah was hired as a third assistant casting director by Don Siegel Reportedly the warden was reluctant to allow the filmmakers to work at Folsom Prison until he was introduced to Peckinpah The warden knew his influential family of judges from Fresno California and immediately became cooperative Actor Leo Gordon who plays hardened convict Carney had served five years in San Quentin State Prison for armed robbery Because of this the warden at Folsom originally objected to Gordon appearing in the film but Siegel convinced him that Gordon was no threat to the prison 7 Siegel s location work and his use of actual prisoners as extras made a lasting impression on Peckinpah s later career He would work as an assistant to Siegel on four additional films including Private Hell 36 1954 An Annapolis Story 1955 Invasion of the Body Snatchers 1956 and Crime in the Streets 1956 8 Reception editBox office and exhibition edit Upon its initial release in the United Kingdom the film was banned 9 The film made a profit of 297 702 1 Critical response edit A though it never needs to take off its hat to any of its brash predecessors for lack of hard cruel detail Riot in Cell Block 11 maintains such a disciplined grip on reality that it acquires the authority of a documentary Film critic Paul Beckley in the New York Herald February 19 1954 10 When the film was first released New York Times film critic A H Weiler gave the film a positive review and its social commentary He wrote The grim business of melodrama behind prison walls so often depicted in standard banal fashion in films is given both tension and dignity in Riot in Cell Block 11 which erupted onto the Mayfair s screen yesterday Although it is explosive enough to satisfy the most rabid of the cons versus screws school of moviegoer it also makes a sincere and adult plea for a captive male society revolting against penal injustices In its own small way Riot in Cell Block 11 is a realistic and effective combination of brawn brains and heart Riot in Cell Block 11 in short punches and preaches with authority 11 The staff at Variety magazine also praised the film writing The pros and cons of prison riots are stated articulately in the Richard Collins screen story and producer Walter Wanger uses a realistic almost documentary style to make his point for needed reforms in the operation of penal institutions A standout performance is given by Emile Meyer the warden who understands the prisoners problems 12 Awards edit Nominations British Academy Film Awards Best Film from any Source 1955 British Academy Film Awards Best Foreign Actor Neville Brand 1955 Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures Don Siegel 1955See also edit Riot in Cell Block Number 9 a 1954 songFootnotes edit a b c Matthew Bernstein Walter Wagner Hollywood Independent Minnesota Press 2000 p445 Riot in Cell Block 11 1954 at the TCM Movie Database Tarantino Quentin 22 December 2019 Escape from Alcatraz New Beverly Cinema Archived from the original on 23 March 2020 Retrieved 23 March 2020 Kass 1975 p 115 118 Plot summary Riot in Cell Block 11 Film Review timeout com Retrieved 2007 02 24 Bernstein Matthew 2000 Hollywood Independent pp 289 291 Riot in Cell Block 11 1954 Notes at the TCM Movie Database Weddle David 1994 If They Move Kill Em Grove Press pp 116 119 ISBN 0 8021 3776 8 Riot in Cell Block 11 1954 IMDb com Retrieved 2007 02 24 Kass 1975 p 118 quoted here And p 191 Notes footnote no 29 for source A W 1954 02 19 At the Mayfair The New York Times Retrieved 2020 10 02 Variety Staff film review 1954 Accessed July 20 2013 Sources editKass Judith M 1975 Don Seigel The Hollywood Professionals Volume 4 1975 ed New York Tanvity Press p 207 ISBN 0 498 01665 X External links editRiot in Cell Block 11 at IMDb nbsp Riot in Cell Block 11 at AllMovie Riot in Cell Block 11 at the TCM Movie Database Riot in Cell Block 11 at the American Film Institute Catalog Riot in Cell Block 11 at Rotten Tomatoes Riot in Cell Block 11 States of Exception an essay by Chris Fujiwara at the Criterion Collection Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Riot in Cell Block 11 amp oldid 1161890160, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

article

, read, download, free, free download, mp3, video, mp4, 3gp, jpg, jpeg, gif, png, picture, music, song, movie, book, game, games.