Drama,History
United States of America
Against the Wall is a 1994 film directed by John Frankenheimer and based on the 1971 Attica Prison uprising in New York. The movie follows the story of a young, inexperienced correctional officer named Kyle Mckenzie (played by Kyle McLachlan) who is assigned to work at Attica prison.
The film chronicles the events leading up to the uprising, including the mistreatment of inmates and the lack of basic medical care and living conditions. As tensions mount and negotiations break down, the prisoners take over the prison, taking dozens of guards hostage.
The film depicts the brutal response of law enforcement and Governor Nelson Rockefeller's decision to send in the National Guard to retake the prison. The resulting violence leads to the deaths of 39 people, including both inmates and guards.
Against the Wall features a powerhouse cast including Samuel L. Jackson as a prisoner leader and Harry Belafonte as an attorney who represents the prisoners. The movie is a raw and intense portrayal of the events at Attica and the political climate of the time. It sheds light on the injustices faced by prisoners and the failure of the justice system to protect the rights of all citizens.
