Themes: Hostage Situations, Escape From Prison, Fighting the System
Main Cast: Jim Brown, Gene Hackman, Mike Kellin, Gerald O'Loughlin, Ben Carruthers
Release Year: 1968
Country: US
Run Time: 97 minutes
MPAA Rating: GP
Plot
A desperate group of convicts stage a minor riot to divert attention in an escape attempt. Red (Gene Hackman) and two others perpetrate the uprising, but word has leaked out and the riot is quickly changed into a symbolic protest against prison conditions and alleged cruelty by sadistic guards. Cully (Jim Brown) is the convict who is caught up in the riot of which he had no prior knowledge. As the prisoners take over the institution, a drunken party is hosted by two homosexuals in drag. The prisoners set up a mock court in which prison informers and guards are tried, convicted and brutally punished. Knives slash, fists fly and blood is spilled leading to the return of the vacationing warden. Red becomes the media spokesman for the group as the siege continues and the prisoners administer their own macabre brand of justice to those found guilty. The film is based on an actual riot that took place in Minnesota, an event that is chronicled in the novel by Frank Elli. An aura of authenticity is provided by real-life warden Frank A. Eyman, who added his personal experience to the realistic prison escape saga. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
Bill Walker - Jake; Michael Byron - Murray; Jerry Thompson - Fisk; M. Gerri - Homosexual; John Neiderhauser - Homosexual; Clifford David - Big Mary Sheldon; Frank A. Eyman - The Warden; Ricky Summers - "Gertie"
Credit
Daniel McCauley - First Assistant Director, Buzz Kulik - Director, Edwin H. Bryant - Editor, Krzysztof Komeda - Composer (Music Score), Robert Wells - Composer (Music Score), Johnnie Lee Wills - Composer (Music Score), Deacon Anderson - Composer (Music Score), Charles Blackman - Songwriter, Krzysztof Komeda - Songwriter, Robert Wells - Songwriter, Johnnie Lee Wills - Songwriter, Deacon Anderson - Songwriter, Paul Sylbert - Production Designer, Robert B. Hauser - Cinematographer, William Castle - Producer, Walter Goss - Sound/Sound Designer, Clem Portman - Sound/Sound Designer, John K. Wilkinson - Sound/Sound Designer, James Poe - Screenwriter, Frank Elli - Book Author
