Drama,Crime
United States of America
Riot in Cell Block 11 is a 1954 American drama film directed by Don Siegel. The film is loosely based on a true story of a prison revolt at the Northern California Correctional Facility in 1952.
The story is set in Cell Block 11 of Folsom Prison, California, where prisoners are cramped and forced to live in inhumane conditions. The prisoners, led by James Dunn (played by Neville Brand), organize a protest against the prison authorities to demand better living conditions. Their main demands include increased wages for prison labor and improved sanitation facilities.
However, the protest turns violent when the authorities refuse to consider their demands. The prisoners take control of the cell block, taking several guards as hostages. The situation becomes tense as the rioting prisoners clash with the guards, who are determined to crush the revolt with brute force.
Outside the prison walls, the media gathers, eager to report on the events inside. The police commissioner (played by Emile Meyer) intervenes, but his negotiations with the prisoners fail, as they refuse to back down until their demands are met.
The film's tense climax takes place as the authorities send in a heavily armed riot squad to take back control of the cell block, leading to an intense showdown between the prisoners and the guards.
Riot in Cell Block 11 is a hard-hitting and gritty portrayal of prison life, and is widely regarded as one of the finest prison films ever made. The film's strong message about the need for prison reform resonated with audiences, and it continues to be a powerful indictment of the failures of the American penal system.
