{"id":5502,"date":"2008-04-29T11:41:14","date_gmt":"2008-04-29T18:41:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5502"},"modified":"2022-05-18T23:26:41","modified_gmt":"2022-05-19T06:26:41","slug":"riot-in-cell-block-11-1954","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5502","title":{"rendered":"Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;In a case like this, either the cons run the prison or the prison runs the cons.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster-194x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"194\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-37760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster-194x300.jpg 194w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster-83x128.jpg 83w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster-768x1190.jpg 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster-661x1024.jpg 661w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Poster.jpg 968w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 194px) 100vw, 194px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA group of prisoners (led by Neville Brand) riot for better living conditions; meanwhile, their sympathetic warden (Emile Meyer) tries to keep the situation under control while negotiating with both Brand and his superiors.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Don Siegel Films<\/li>\n<li>Neville Brand Films<\/li>\n<li>Prisoners<\/li>\n<li>Rebellion<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nDon Siegel&#8217;s compelling, hard-hitting drama manages to humanize the diverse protagonists on both sides of the title controversy. The focused storyline effectively shows how easily inmates (with just a bit of advance organization) are able to physically overtake their understaffed guards &#8212; and how quickly their rebellion spreads to the other cell blocks in their overcrowded prison. Real-life war hero Neville Brand is perfectly cast as the leader of the riot; he&#8217;s a sympathetic, savvy, yet violent inmate who remains eerily focused on the task at hand. Meanwhile, the prison&#8217;s decent warden (nicely under-played by Emile Meyer) is both well-meaning and surprisingly humble, someone who understands the sticky situation he&#8217;s in &#8212; he&#8217;s battled for better conditions and more funding for years &#8212; and is simply trying to avoid as much bloodshed as possible. There are many moments of genuine tension throughout this gritty social drama, which only occasionally dips into didactic &#8220;message&#8221; mode, and features a realistically bittersweet ending. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Neville Brand as the riot leader<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-1024x734.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"459\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-1024x734.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-300x215.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-128x92.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-768x550.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand-377x270.png 377w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Brand.png 1291w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Emile Meyer as the humane warden of the prison<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-1024x743.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-1024x743.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-768x558.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer-372x270.png 372w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Meyer.png 1277w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>An effective portrayal of controversial conflict<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-1024x744.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"465\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-64014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-1024x744.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-768x558.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2-372x270.png 372w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot2.png 1279w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1000\" height=\"726\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-64015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot.png 1000w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot-128x93.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot-768x558.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/04\/Riot-in-Cell-Block-11-Riot-372x270.png 372w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as both a powerful prison flick, and for its historical importance as Don Siegel&#8217;s first major film. Listed as a Cult Movie and a Personal Recommendation in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Good Show<\/li>\n<li>Important Director<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0047417\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1954\/02\/19\/archives\/at-the-mayfair.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.timeout.com\/movies\/riot-in-cell-block-11\">Time Out Capsule Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=304&#038;aff=13\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;In a case like this, either the cons run the prison or the prison runs the cons.&#8221; Synopsis: A group of prisoners (led by Neville Brand) riot for better living conditions; meanwhile, their sympathetic warden (Emile Meyer) tries to keep the situation under control while negotiating with both Brand and his superiors. Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors: Don Siegel Films Neville Brand Films Prisoners Rebellion Review: Don Siegel&#8217;s compelling, hard-hitting drama manages to humanize the diverse protagonists on both sides&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=5502\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5502"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84232,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5502\/revisions\/84232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}