Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Harry Dean Stanton, Clarence Williams, Frederic Forrest, Samuel L. Jackson, Anne Heche

Director: John Frankenheimer

Summary: America's Attica Prison holds its guards and inmates caged like animals in a world of brutality and violence. It's a time-bomb waiting to explode...

A gritty, dramatic retelling of one of the most violent prison rebellions in U.S. history, this made-for-cable film tells the story of the inmate takeover of Attica from the point of view of the prisoners and the facility's young warden (Kyle MacLachlan). The film also stars Samuel L. Jackson, Frederic Forrest, and Harry Dean Stanton.

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This HBO docu-drama depicts the notorious 1971 prison revolt at the State Penitentiary at Attica, in upstate New York. One can sense the mastery of veteran theatrical feature director John Frankenheimer at the helm, in the movie's gripping suspense and gritty, hard-hitting realism. The semi-fictionalised narrative is told from the point of view of young Michael Smith, (Kyle MacLachlan), a newly recruited prison guard (the real Smith worked as a consultant on the film). When Smith arrives at Attica, the place is a revolt waiting to happen. When riots break out and the inmates take command of the prison, Smith and several other guards are held hostage. In this powder-keg climate, a relationship develops between Smith and the rebellion's wise, cool-headed leader, Jamaal, (the superb Samuel L Jackson), a political prisoner representing the African Liberation Movement. The insurrection at Attica became emblematic of protests taking place all over the United States at the time. "We've got a civil war going on in this country," says one prison guard, "This is where we hold the line." Against the Wallillustrates in no uncertain terms which side won this particular battle, and at what tragic cost. Then it goes one step further, becoming a platform for contemporary prison reform. The film's terrific performances include Clarence L Williams III as a wild-eyed, malcontent prisoner, Frederic Forrest as a rabid prison guard and Anne Heche as Smith's stalwart wife. --Laura Mirsky

Aspect Ratio:	4:3 Full Frame
Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Special Features:	Interactive Menus, Chapter Selection, Trailers
Year:	1994
Release Date:	June 2, 2003
Runtime:	106 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	P P A 1385
Label:	Medusa
Keywords:	Against, Action, General, Wall, Adventure
Genre:	Action/Adventure