Leofwine_draca
ATTICA, a made-for-TV film released in 1980, is an intense re-telling of the true story of the Attica prison riot in 1971 which led to a number of inmates being gunned down in cold blood by the authorities. This devastating incident is an almost legendary part of American history - I knew about it from watching DOG DAY AFTERNOON - so I was eager to see how the material was handled.It turns out that this is a very well made production that sticks to the facts of the case without sensationalising them. The story is stark, complex, and deeply human, and the casting director deserves particular kudos for assembling a team of greats. On the one hand we have the likes of Charles Durning and Henry Darrow as the guys at the top trying to sort things out and then we get Morgan Freeman and David Harris as the empowered convicts trying to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.This is a thoughtful exploration of a hot topic and really an actor's dream, because many of the dialogue scenes are powerfully put across. ATTICA might well be the definitive retelling of an unforgettable true story.
Niklas Pivic
I think Emma Goldman noted that every civil war is class war. In this instance, that really rings true. One of the characters in the film notes that 60% of the inmates in Attica were black and 0% of the guards were black. As for the higher-ups of Attica, well, I'll pick my guess at the quotas there.The Attica riot was spectacular: the inmates took over and stood their ground for 22 days until riot police massacred a bunch of inmates and, actually, 10 of the hostages.The film deals with the humane aspects of the take-over in a lot of ways. The legal people mainly think the inmates' demands are valid. The governor is slammed by demands from outsiders, seemingly mainly the people and the police unions. The dilemma is plain to see.I really liked the fact that there's very little soundtrack here. The film ended abruptly, but that's due to the real chain of events. Recommendable because of the humanity.
patmanandrobin
I am curious if they included the nude scene at the end where we were all stripped down and beaten by the guards as we were filed back into the building. It was pretty realistic. It was filmed at the Lima state hospital for the criminally insane which was open for business at the time and we would converse with the inmates. I remember wearing a short haired wig to not cut my long hair.as they did not allow long hair in Attica in the 60's/70's. I wanted to be in it as I had followed the injustice during that time and hitched from Columbus and back to make 5 bucks an hour for really hard work as an extra standing around in the heat with a bunch of other folks. There was actually almost a riot when the director of the institution came out and made remarks about people bringing in drugs,some pot smoking was happening and sharp instruments and that he would bring the highway patrol in to frisk and arrest all involved..hell there was hundreds of us and it was late in the afternoon with no lunch yet so the reply was quite radical towards the man...Q guy next to me quipped they are gonna start a real riot and film it. fortunately the main director got the mike and cooled us down and we in turn threw little things like safety pins and other harmless items into a box to act like we were complying and all was well and our extra work finished up that day and no one was accosted on the way out of the secure environment we had definitely mocked. Pat Adkins Aheville, NC
Bill Selleck
I found this movie floating around on True Movies one afternoon and thought the film sounded interesting i.e. criminals vs cops.The acting was average and nothing special came from anyone including Morgan Freedman. I had to admit I've never seen Freedman looking as young as he did in that movie.The soundtracks were passable to accompany the dangerous moments and the ending. Could of been better.The script could of done with some, "dramatization". It wouldn't of hurt the film to add some more speeches, some little action moments between the criminals and cops. I understand its a true movie and it is trying to reflect the moment of September the 9th 1971, but thats what I think anyway.I have to say I was surprised to see how the ending was. I could not believe the U.S would be as ruthless and dangerous as to line up the guards and start shooting anyone who is not on the floor with their hands behind their back.Good movie with a sad ending.
AD
