Terror in Block 11
| Movie | |
|---|---|
| German title | Terror in Block 11 |
| Original title | Riot in Cell Block 11 |
| Country of production | United States |
| original language | English |
| Publishing year | 1954 |
| length | 80 minutes |
| Age rating | FSK 12 (formerly 18) |
| Rod | |
| Director | Don Siegel |
| script | Richard J. Collins |
| production | Walter Wanger |
| music | Herschel Burke Gilbert |
| camera | Russell Harlan |
| cut | Bruce B. Pierce |
| occupation | |
| |
Terror in Block 11 (Original title: Riot in Cell Block 11 ) is a black and white American prison film directed by Don Siegel from 1954.
action
The film begins with a short report on revolts in US prisons. In a press conference, Richard A. McGee, spokesman for the American Prison Association, explained that one reason for the uprising was the neglect of prisons by the public and those in charge of politics. As long as this does not change, he considers future uprisings to be likely.
In an unspecified prison, the inmates of Block 11, known as the “punishment block”, take four guards hostage. James V. Dunn, convicted of robbery, and violent "Crazy" Mike Carnie take command. Dunn, the inmate's spokesman, demands that reform-minded prison director Reynolds be able to make a statement in the presence of the press. The governor , who refuses to negotiate with the insurgents, sends Commissioner Haskell as deputy. During the first press conference that Dunn uses to draw attention to what he sees as the unacceptable conditions of detention, Crazy wounded Mike Haskell with a knife.
The next day inmates from other blocks join the insurgents, but the revolt is put down by a state police embassy . One prisoner is killed in the process. At another press conference, Dunn reads out his demands: Among other things, he demands the separation of normal inmates and the criminally insane, a work program for prisoners and an amnesty for everyone involved in the uprising. He, Reynolds, and the governor should sign the relevant declaration.
Later there were clashes in the ranks of the inmates of Block 11, in which Dunn was injured. Two groups are formed around Crazy Mike and the deliberately acting "Colonel", whose supporters are in the minority. When the state made preparations for a demolition of the outer wall so that the law enforcement officers can penetrate and end the revolt, the rebels chained their hostages and the colonel to the place designated for the demolition. Finally, the governor signed Dunn's declaration. The hostages are released, the uprising is over.
Two weeks later, Dunn is called to Reynolds' office. There he learned that the insurgents' amnesty had been declared invalid by the court. Dunn faces up to 30 years imprisonment, Reynolds himself was asked to resign by Haskell. The positive aspect, said Reynolds, is the press and public attention the uprising has gained and the prospect of long overdue improvements in prison conditions. Dunn returns to his block dejected.
background
Terror in Block 11 was produced by Allied Artists, a studio specializing in low-cost productions , which had emerged from the Monogram Pictures studio . The trigger for the project were the conditions in the prison, in which producer Walter Wanger had served a four-month prison sentence in 1952. Terror in Block 11 was made on a budget of $ 225,000 and was partially filmed in an empty building in Folsom Prison . The film was the first of several productions in which Sam Peckinpah acted as dialogue director for Don Siegel.
Terror in Block 11 started in February / March 1954 in the USA and on March 22, 1955 in the FRG .
criticism
"A precisely staged and played dramatic report that, despite all the sensational moments, credibly and impressively committed itself to social reforms in the prison system of that time."
Awards
In 1955, Terror in Block 11 was nominated for Best Picture and Neville Brand for Best Foreign Actor for the British Film Academy Award . Don Siegel was nominated for the Directors Guild of America Award for best feature film directing. None of the nominees received any of the awards.
Web links
- Riot in Cell Block 11 in the Internet Movie Database (English)
Individual evidence
- ↑ George Turner: A Case for Insomnia , in: American Cinematographer , March 1997, American Society of Cinematographers, Hollywood 1997.
- ↑ "Wanger to Be Released From County Jail Today," Los Angeles Times article, Sept. 13, 1952.
- ^ Walter Mirisch: I Thought We Were Making Movies, Not History. University of Wisconsin Press, 2008, pp. 47-49.
- ↑ February 28 according to the Internet Movie Database , February 18 in New York according to Turner Classic Movies , March 31 in Los Angeles according to the Directory of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences ( Memento of the original April 23, 2016 on the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , accessed March 22, 2013.
- ↑ a b Terror in Block 11 in the Lexicon of International Films .
